Here’s this month’s poetry post from our friend, poet and translator, Keiji Minato. My first article for Deep Kyoto took up the topic of YOSA Buson's (1716-1784) hokku (or haiku). As it says, and you all probably know, Buson was a great haiku master and painter, and I would like to add here that he was also an experimental poet who tried poetic styles that had never … [Read more...]
Ikkyu Sojun’s Kyo’unshu
Here's this month's poetry post from our friend Keiji Minato. Ikkyu Sojun (一休宗純; 1394-1481) is one of the most famous monks in the history of Japan. Since his lifetime countless legends have been told about his weird acts and unmatchable wits. For contemporary Japanese he has become the most familiar figure as a Buddhist monk through the television anime series Ikkyu-san … [Read more...]
Chidzuko Ueno’s Book of Haiku, Eldorado
Here's this month's Kyoto poetry post by our friend Keiji Minato! Haiku is a well-established poetic form in Japan. Japanese newspapers call for haiku submissions, and a large number of amateur poets send them their works to be chosen for publication by famous masters. There are some TV programs specializing in haiku, for which big events are often held and big … [Read more...]
Philip Norton Poetry Reading
American poet Philip Norton has returned to Kyoto after a stint in Australia, and will be performing his poetry at Bar Lemon on Kiyamachi on July 20th. Philip Norton is a writer, performer, composer and text-fusion artist. He is the recipient of two Australian national poetry awards: The Vanguard LiterARTure Award, and the Newcastle Poetry Prize for New Media Poetry. His … [Read more...]
“Kyoto Uta Kiko” (Song Travels in Kyoto) — Rokuhara-mita Temple
Here's this month's poetry contribution from Keiji Minato: 枇杷の咲く路地抜け右へ折れましてまっすぐ行けば六波羅蜜寺 坪内稔典 Biwa no saku Roji nuke Migi e oremashite Massugu ikeba Rokuhara-mita-ji TSUBOUCHI Toshinori Passing through an alley where you see loquat blossoms and taking a right turn and then going straight gets you to Rokuhara-mita Temple 『京都うた紀行』 (Kyoto Uta Kiko ~ Poetic … [Read more...]
Yet Another Gorgeous Day in Kyoto
Cities of Green Leaves 青葉の都市 - Ginko no Kukai Last Saturday I joined the Hailstone Haiku Circle's latest ginko no kukai; an international poetry and nature walk being held across the world in solidarity with the city of Sendai. The event was planned to coincide with Sendai's Aoba Matsuri or Green Leaf Festival. This festival with its parade and famous sparrow dance is held … [Read more...]
John Brandi & Renée Gregorio – The Shorter Poems
Last weekend I attended a Kyoto Journal sponsored poetry reading with John Brandi and Renée Gregorio. It was a super cosy affair in the wonderful Kyoto Nama Chocolate organic teahouse, with lots of good conversation and poetic inspiration! Many thanks also to the hosts for the fantastic cakes and chocolate! Stewart Wachs promises to have a full video of the event (including … [Read more...]
The Hojoki
Visions of a Torn World To understand the world of today, hold it up to the world of long ago. - Kamo-no-Chomei The Hojoki The recent tragedy in northern Japan has brought to the forefront of all our minds just how vulnerable these islands are to natural disaster. Here in western Japan, even as we assure our friends and families overseas that we are safe, we know … [Read more...]
Ginko-no-renga in Iwakura
On March 12th I joined the Hailstone Haiku Circle for their Ginko-no-renga event (a poetry composition stroll), on this occasion in Iwakura. Originally the linked verse, or renga, was meant to begin with a hokku (starting verse) that Buson had written in Iwakura. 遅き日や雉の下り居る橋の上 The days grow longer - A pheasant has fluttered down Onto the bridge. However, the Tohoku … [Read more...]
“TÔTEKIKO” by Javant Biarujia
Keiji Minato writes... I wrote the article below before the big disaster hit the northern part of Japan. I guess you might find it strange to read about something very small with a tremendous incident on the background, but I will post it anyway. It must be very important for us to calm ourselves before rushing toward unnecessary actions. * As you know from travel … [Read more...]
Manyōshū exhibition @ Hounen-in
By pure chance today I had a little errand to run up at Hounen-in and while I was there I thought I might as well take in the current exhibition. It turned out to be just my cup of tea! I have written about Hounen-in before. It's always a nice little temple to visit, nestled in the woods along Kyoto's north-eastern hills. The fact that they have a little gallery there … [Read more...]
Three Poets at Minase
Here is this month's poetry column from poet and translator Keiji Minato... The Minase Sangin Hyakuin by Sogi, Shohaku, and Socho 雪ながら山もとかすむ夕かな 宗祇 Yuki nagara yama-moto kasumu yube kana As it snows the base of the mountain is misty this evening (Sogi) 行く水とほく梅にほふ里 肖柏 Yuku mizu toku ume niou sato Far in the way the water goes a plum-blossom-smelling hamlet … [Read more...]
Ryojin-hisho, Popular Songs in the Twelfth Century
Here’s this month’s poetry column from our friend Keiji Minato… Ryojin-hisho (『梁塵秘抄』), compiled by Goshirakawa-Joko (後白河上皇; the ex-emperor Goshirakawa）in the late 12th century, is an anthology of popular songs called “Imayo Kayo” (今様歌謡; directly translated it means “contemporary-style popular songs”) at that time. They were mainly performed by itinerant female dancers and … [Read more...]
Irish Haiku!
On Thursday night I attended the Hailstone Haiku Circle's English Haiku class for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it! About 12 people were present including the British poet/artist Stephen Gill and Sean O'Connor an Irish poet/musician. The first part of the class was taken up with what Stephen called the 添削コーナー ("correction corner"). Here haiku that have been submitted … [Read more...]
