Arco (TN)

Arco (TN)

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Haiku - Basho (2) - June 6, 2014






 Today's haiku master is Matsuo Basho once again.  This time we're going to look at one of his lesser known haiku:

 te ni tora ba kie n namida zo atsuki aki no shimo

if taken into my hand
melting in the heat of tears
autumn frost

©  Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)

Chèvrefeuille reminds us that:

 As was common in those times this haiku had a preface:

''At the beginning of September I came back home. I was already long since my mother had died. The grass in front of mother's room had withered in the frost. Everything had changed. The hair of my brother and sisters (Basho had a brother, an elder sister and three younger sisters) was white and they had wrinkles between their eyebrows. We could only say, 'we are fortunate to be still alive'. Nothing more. My elder brother opened an amulet case and said reverently to me, 'Look, at mother's white hair. You have came back after such a long time. So this is like the Tamate Box of Urashima Taro. Your eyebrows have become white'. We wept for a while and then I composed this verse.


 @)--->--->---





walking through the field
cold rustling winds announce
early
autumn frost

© G.s.k. '14




 Written for:
CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI: Carpe Diem #508 Basho (2), ''autumn frost''

17 comments:

  1. Fortunate one! Often there is no announcement, the cold just swoops in, freezing blood and bone!

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    1. leaving the trees as barren guards :-)

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    2. Ah, yes, the trees, the stalwart sentinels!

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    3. Loyal and silent! ... Thanks for visiting Magical Mystical Teacher! Have a pleasant day, Georgia

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  2. Great imagery and strong lines. Lovely!

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    1. Thanks you very much Panchali ... I'm happy you enjoyed the haiku!

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  3. I can just feel that chilly wind.

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    1. That can be a good thing if your in the northern summer .... thanks for dropping by!

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  4. I love the first frost and will miss my home and all the beauty which comes with the seasons. But I hold it tight in my heart..Your words tell it all.

    Melanie
    bd

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    1. Sometimes beauty held in the heart is more vivid and enjoyed! Hopefully you'll be able to visit your home soon and enjoy the seasonal changes. Thank you for passing by!

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  5. Few things are as lonely as a cold autumn wind -- very definitely in keeping with the spirit of the original. :)

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    1. I'm happy that you found the spirit to be close to Basho's, that quite a compliment. And yes the autumn wind is so sad and lonely...

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  6. I'm imagining those winds walking through the fields, striking fear in the hearts of wheat and barley and other plants...

    First Frost of Autumn

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  7. I love the sound of rustling in wheat as if there is an impatience.

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    1. It is a lovely sound --- I also enjoy the wind in the trees and somehow they both remind me a little of the sea. Thanks for commenting Moonie!

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  8. What a gorgeous haiku you share here with us Georgia ... it's really a masterpiece and I love to use it in one of our upcoming Tan Renga Challenges in August if you don't mind.

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    1. Thank-you so much for the honor! I'd love to see the haiku in the Tan Renga Challenge :-)

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harmonious words ... like crystal clear water ... pure ectasy

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