Here’s this month’s poetry post from our friend, poet and translator, Keiji Minato. This will be the last post on Deep Kyoto this year. Happy holidays and see you all safely in 2012! Haifu-Yanagidaru (『誹風柳多留』; 1765-1840) is a collection of maeku-dsuke (前句付), which are now commonly called ko-senryu (古川柳; old senryu). It is not one book but a series of 165 volumes … [Read more...] about Kyoto as depicted in “Haifu-Yanagidaru”
Keiji Minato
A Ginko, at Seishu Netsuke-kan
Here’s this month’s poetry post from our friend, poet and translator, Keiji Minato. Have you tried a ginko (吟行)? A ginko is a group excursion to make haiku or senryu: you visit a landmark, a museum exhibition, or any place of interest and write poems based on the experience. Usually, a kukai (句会; a haiku or senryu meeting) takes place afterwards, and you can share your works … [Read more...] about A Ginko, at Seishu Netsuke-kan
“Denga-ka Sanshu” by Yosa Buson
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...] about “Denga-ka Sanshu” by Yosa Buson
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...] about Ikkyu Sojun’s Kyo’unshu
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...] about Chidzuko Ueno’s Book of Haiku, Eldorado
“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 ~ … [Read more...] about “Kyoto Uta Kiko” (Song Travels in Kyoto) — Rokuhara-mita Temple
“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 … [Read more...] about “TÔTEKIKO” by Javant Biarujia
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...] about Three Poets at Minase
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 Go-Shirakawa-Joko (後白河上皇; the ex-emperor Go-Shirakawa) 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...] about Ryojin-hisho, Popular Songs in the Twelfth Century
Two Poems by Amano Tadashi
Here's this month's poetry column from our friend Keiji Minato... Kobo-san (弘法さん) is the popular name of Toji Kobo-ichi (東寺弘法市; Toji Kobo Market), the monthly fair that takes place at Toji Temple. On the 21st every month, hundreds of stalls occupy its huge precincts and alleys all around and sell a wide variety of goods from food and drink through accessories and … [Read more...] about Two Poems by Amano Tadashi
“A Lively Evening” by Murayama Kaita
Here's another post on Kyoto poets and poetry by our guest contributor, Keiji Minato. Keiji writes... Last time I took up Yosa Buson, a great poet-cum-painter in the 18th century. The topic this time is a man who also both wrote poetry and left great paintings, but in a totally different era. MURAYAMA Kaita (村山槐太; 1896-1919) was born in Yokohama but grew up in … [Read more...] about “A Lively Evening” by Murayama Kaita
