The works of Haikuist Charlie Smith

Haiku by Charlie Smith O fairest woman just ask and I shall give you song of Solomon Charlie Oji-san no Haiku (Haiku poems by Charlie Smith) http://www4.stat.ncsu.edu/~bmasmith/HAIKU/ Also, please check Mr. Smith's haiku in "From the notebook" section on www.asahi.com. http://www.asahi.com/english/haiku/050131.html I am grateful to Mr. Charlie Smith for his inspired haiku and his permission to have his work on www.hdever.com.

Description: Background is a part of a photo of a Japanese wheat field from EyesPic with modifications by www.hdever.com.

Haiku by Charlie Smith iki no ii sakura no sanpo chocho odoru Note by Mr. Smith: iki no ii 5 (slow energizing) sakura no sanpo 7 (walk under cherry blossoms) chocho odoru 5 (butterflies dancing)

Description: Background is a close-up view of Japanese cherry blossoms from EyesPic with modifications by www.hdever.com.

I thank to Mr. Takahashi, Director of EyesArt Ltd. (Hiroshima, Japan), for the free photo materials.

Japanese page of EyesPic of EyesArt Ltd. http://eyes-art.com/pic/

English page of EyesPic of EyesArt Ltd. http://en.eyes-art.com/

(They have more pictures of Japanese cherry blossoms on their website.)

Angelika Wienert ed., Winter Issue of World Haiku Club If you would like to appreciate good Haiku poems for wintertime, please visit a Blog page that includes the online Winter Issue of the World Haiku Club written both in German and English, "World Haiku Review: Language By Language: WHC-German, Winter 2007/2008," of which editor is Ms. Angelika Wienert, a noted Haikuist in Germany. Ms. Wienert also maintains her Weblog "haiku-shelf" in German and English. (January 5, 2008) "World Haiku Review: Language By Language: WHC-German, Winter 2007/2008" http://athenaeum-language.blogspot.com/2008/01/whc-german-winter-20072008.html "haiku-shelf" http://haiku-shelf.blogspot.com/ Wenn Sie gute Haiku Gedichte für die Winterzeit genießen möchten, besuchen Sie bitte die obengenannte Blogpage, deren Bearbeiter Frau Angelika Wienert, ein bekannter Haiku Dichiter, ist. Frau Wienert verwaltet auch ihren Weblog „haiku-shelf.“ (5. Januar 2008)

Angelika Wienert ed., Spring Issue of World Haiku Club http://athenaeum-language.blogspot.com/2008/04/spring-issue-whc-german-2008.html The spring issue 2008 of WHC-German has been published! Die Frühjahrsausgabe 2008 wurde veröffentlicht!

Frau Angelika Wienert, Thank you for the wonderful news! (April 2, 2008, Hitomi)

There are many Web sites and Web pages which make references to the above Haikuists and on which their Haiku poems are published or featured. But I am going to refer only to the Web sites and Web pages that appear to be maintained by the very Haikuists (like the above-mentioned Ms. Angelika Wienert's "haiku-shelf").
Mr. Franz-Christoph Schiermeyer's Homepage http://www.fcschiermeyer.de/ [German]
Mr. Volker Friebel's Homepage http://www.Volker-Friebel.de/ [German]
Ms. Sylvia Hagenbach's Homepage http://www.sylviahagenbach.de/ [German]
Ms. Silvia Kempen's Web site "Lyrikbaum" http://www.lyrikbaum.de/ [German] ( The page that the link represents includes a dynamic image such as Flash.)
Ms. Ramona Linke's Art site "Haiku-wortArt" http://www.wortartundlyrdicht.de/ [German] ( The page that the link represents includes a dynamic image such as Flash.)
Mr. Horst Ludwig's Web page on the Web site of Gustavus Adolphus College http://homepages.gac.edu/~ludwig/ [English] (As of 23:00 JST, April 11, 2008, this Web page says "This page is currently under construction" in English.)
Ms. Claudia Melchior's Web site "schönsinnlicht" http://www.schoensinnlicht.de/ [German]
Ms. Marion Naumann d´Alnoncourt's Homepage http://www.marionikebana.de/ [German] (As of 23:00 JST, April 11, 2008, this Web page says "A new Internet presence of Marion Naumann d´Alnoncourt will soon emerge here" in German.)
Ms. Sonja Raab's Homepage http://raabennest.at.vu/ [German] ( The page that the link represents includes a dynamic image such as Flash.)
Ms. Gabriele Reinhard's Homepage http://www.gabriele-reinhard.de/ [German]
Mr. Bernd Reklies's Homepage http://www.reklies.eu/ [German]
Mr. Dietmar Tauchner's Web site "Bregengemme" http://www.bregengemme.com/ [German and English]

As for Sakura - Japanese Cherry Blossom

Where is the soul of your country to be found? It is remarked by Peter Milward that whoever defined the soul of Japan as "mountain cherry blossom fragrant in the morning sun" was indeed an inspired poet. He asks himself, "To what can I compare such blossom in England? Or where is the soul of England to be found in the English countryside?" (Peter Milward, An Anglo-Japanese Calendar [Japan: Kenkyu Sha, 1982], p. 2).

Wo soll die Seele Ihres Landes gefunden werden? Es wird von Peter Milward erwähnt, daß, wer die Seele von Japan als „Gebirgskirschblüte, die in der Sonne morgens duftet“ definierte, in der Tat ein angespornter Dichter war. Er fragt sich, „Womit kann ich solche Blüte in England vergleichen? Oder wo soll die Seele von England in der englischen Landschaft gefunden werden?“ (Peter Milward, An Anglo-Japanese Calendar [Japan: Kenkyu Sha, 1982], p. 2)

Waka "Shikishima no Yamato-gokoro wo Hito towaba Asahi ni niou Yamazakura-bana" (5-7-5-7-7) by Norinaga Motoori (1730-1801) [(a free translation) If I were to tell what the soul of Japan is, I would say, it's like a mountain cherry blossom that stands out in the morning sun, exuding its fragrance. Wenn ich erklären sollte, was die Seele von Japan ist, würde ich sagen, daß sie wie eine Gebirgskirschblüte ist, die in der Sonne morgens auffällt und heraus ihr Duft gibt.]

Seen from a folkloric perspective, the cherry blossom is also the most significant flower in Japan. One theory holds that it was the symbol of the agricultural (rice farming) practice to ancient Japanese people in that good and bad harvests were predicted by it, specifically, by whether it fell early or late in that year. Early falling was a bad omen of famine. Their concern was solely with when it would fall, and their mind was not relaxed, with their wish for it being not fallen. This apprehensiveness had evolved and come to be "literaturized," and it was followed by the poems regretting the falling of the cherry blossom. (Needless to say, with the "literary attitude," the reason for regret varied from the omen to the beauty of the blossom.) Hence, the appreciation of the cherry blossom came along after their time, say, from the Heian period onward. It is no wonder that there are few poems admiring the cherry blossom in A Collection of a Myriad Leaves (Manyoshu).
cf. Orikuchi Shinobu Zenshu dai 2 kan [The Collected Papers of Shinobu Orikuchi Vol. 2] (Japan: Chukobunko, 1975), pp. 467-93 and Orikuchi Shinobu Zenshu dai 15 kan (Japan: Chukobunko, 1976), pp. 85-87.

Aus einer folkloristischen Perspektive ist die Kirschblüte auch die bedeutendste Blume in Japan. Eine Lehre hält, daß sie das Symbol der landwirtschaftlichen (Reis anbauend) Praxis zu den alten japanischen Leuten war in dem Sinne, daß gute und schlechte Ernten durch sie, und zwar durch ob sie früh oder spät in dem Jahr fiel, vorausgesagt wurden. Frühes Fallen war ein schlechter Omen des Hungers. Besonders waren die Leute daran interessiert, wann sie fallen würde, und mit ihrem Wunsch dafür, daß sie nicht gefallen sein wird, wurde ihr Geist nicht entspannt. Diese Angst hatte entwickelt und begonnen, eine „literarische Haltung“ zu einnehmen, und sie wurde von den Gedichten, die das Fallen der Kirschblüte bedauern, gefolgt. (Unnötig zu sagen, daß mit der "literarischen Haltung" der Grund für Bedauern von dem Omen zur Schönheit der Blüte wechselte.) Folglich kam das Genießen der Kirschblüte nach ihrer Zeit vermutlich von der Heian-Periode an. Es ist kein Wunder, daß es wenige Gedichte, die die Kirschblüte bewundern, in Sammlung der zehntausend Blätter (Manyoshu) gibt.
vgl. Orikuchi Shinobu Zenshu dai 2 kan [Die gesammelten Werke von Shinobu Orikuchi Vol. 2] (Japan: Chukobunko, 1975), pp. 467-93 und Orikuchi Shinobu Zenshu dai 15 kan (Japan: Chukobunko, 1976), pp. 85-87.

To cite an instance from Manyoshu:


"Kono hana no Hitoyo no uchi ni Momokusa no Koto zo komoreru Ohorokani suna" by Hirotsugu Fujiwara (Fujiwara no Hirotsugu [?-740], Manyoshu, vol. 8, no. 1456) [(a free translation) A single spray of this blossom carries the implication of a hundred words. Though not stating in words, please reflect deeply on what it says and don't trifle with this. Ein einzelner Zweig dieser Blüte trägt die Implikation von hundert Wörtern. Zwar sind sie in Worte nicht angegeben, jedoch reflektieren Sie bitte tief über was er sagt und behandeln Sie nicht dieses nachlässig.]

In the above poem that is a love poem in the springtime which was sent along with a spray of the cherry blossom to a lady, the cherry blossom is not topicalized, nor is it admired. Additionally, if we would fundamentally adhere to the foregoing view, we could extract an imagery of the cherry blossom derived from the flower of the omen and take it that the background factor for the inclusion of the "implication" in the above poem is that the cherry blossom had had the meaning as the "implication."

Im oben genannten Gedicht, das ein Liebegedicht in der Früjahrzeit ist, welches zusammen mit einem Zweig der Kirschblüte an eine Dame gesandt wurde, wird die Kirschblüte nicht als das Thema behandelt, noch ist sie bewunderte. Zusätzlich wenn wir grundlegend die vorangehende Ansicht befolgen würden, könnten wir ein Bild der Kirschblüte, die von der Blume des Omen abgeleitet wurde, extrahieren und es nehmen, daß der Hintergrundfaktor für das Gehören der „Implikation“ in das oben genannte Gedicht ist, daß die Kirschblüte die Bedeutung als die „Implikation“ gehabt hatte.

To cite an instance from Kokinshu:

"Adanari to Nanikoso tatere Sakurabana Toshi ni marenaru Hitomo machikeri" by Unknown (Kokinshu [Kokinwakashu], Spring, no. 62) [(a free translation) The cherry blossom is noted for its fickleness. Even so, it awaits a man who rarely comes in the space of a year. Die Kirschblüte ist für ihre Unbeständigkeit bekannt. Allerdings erwartet sie einen Mann, der selten in den Abstand eines Jahres kommt.]

It is accepted that the compilation of Kokinshu was completed either in engi 5 (905) or in engi 13 (913). It is Heian Period (commonly, 794-1192). From the above poem that was meant for Narihira Ariwara (Ariwara no Narihira [825-880]), we can learn that there was an old way that the cherry blossom was seen as "adana mono" [something treacherous, something fickle].
cf. Toru Nishimura, Uta to Minzokugaku minzoku mingei shoshu 6 [Songs and Folklore - folklore folkart 6 in libraries] (Japan: Iwasaki Bijutsu Sha, 1966), pp. 214-215.

Es wird akzeptiert, daß die Kompilation von Kokinshu entweder in engi 5 (905) oder in engi 13 (913) vollendet wurde. Es ist Periode Heian (gemeinhin, 794-1192). Vom oben genannten Gedicht, das an Narihira Ariwara gerichtet war, können wir erfahren, daß es eine alte Weise, daß man in der Kirschblüte „adana mono“ [etwas gefährlich, etwas unbeständig] sah, gab.
vgl. Toru Nishimura, Uta to Minzokugaku minzoku mingei shoshu 6 [Die Lieder und die Volkskunde - Volkskunde Volkskunst 6 in einer Serie] (Japan: Iwasaki Bijutsu Sha, 1966), pp. 214-215.

There is, I should add, another theory that differs with the aspect of construing the cherry blossom as the flower of the omen as mentioned above. The theory has it that the cherry blossom was related to the "curse," as the description in Ryo no Gi Ge(883) on the meaning of the festival of Hana-shizume [appeasing the flower] in March reads. Briefly, when the "vernal flower" fell and blew about, the gods of epidemic were allegedly dispersed widely and spread the disease. Thus, the festival was held in an effort to appease the "curse." [Please note that this theory assumes that the "vernal flower which falls and blows about" in March is the cherry blossom.] Yoshiyuki Kojima takes the issue of the festival of Hana-shizume even further and pursues an object being appeased in the context of hunting, as in contrast to the pursuit in the context of agriculture (rise farming).
cf. Yoshiyuki Kojima, "Inasaku igaino Kisetsu no Girei - Hana-shizume no Masturi no Imisurumono -" ["The Rituals of the Seasons other than That of Rice Growing: What the Festival of Appeasing the Flower Signifies"], Folklore, no. 4 (Japan: Honami Shoten, 1994).

Given the remaining lyrics, the song of Hana-shizume festival is closed with the words: Yasurahe (or Yasurai), Hana ya, Yasurahe, Hana ya (Procrastinate [Don't act so hastily, Hold your horses], Flower, Procrastinate, Flower).
cf. Orikuchi Shinobu Zenshu 21 Nihon Geino-shi Rokko [The Collected Papers of Shinobu Orikuchi Vol. 21 The Six Lectures on the History of Japanese Performing Arts] (Japan: Chuokoron Sha, 1996), pp. 68-69 and Yanagita Kunio Zenshu 18 Minyo Oboegaki Minyo no Ima to Mukashi hoka [The Collected Papers of Kunio Yanagita Vol. 18 Folk Songs, Folk Songs' Now and Past, etc.] (Japan: Chikumabunko, 1990), p. 435.

Ich sollte addieren, daß es eine andere Lehre, die vom Aspekt, der die Kirschblüte als die Blume des Omen betrachtet wie oben erwähnt, sich unterscheidet, gibt. Die Lehre sagt, daß die Kirschblüte mit dem „Fluch“ zusammenhing, wie die Beschreibung in Ryo no Gi Ge(883) von der Bedeutung des Festes Hana-shizume [Beschwichtigen der Blume] im März gibt. Um es kurz zu sagen, als die „frühlingshafte Blume“ fiel und überall wehte, wurden die Götter der Epidemie angeblich hier und dort zerstreut und die Krankheit verbreiteten. So wurde das Fest gegeben in einer Bemühung, den „Fluch“ zu beschwichtigen. [Merken Sie bitte, daß diese Theorie voraussetzt, daß die „frühlingshafte Blume, die fällt und weht,“ im März die Kirschblüte ist.] Yoshiyuki Kojima überlegt die Sache des Festivals von Hana-shizume sogar weiter und erforscht einen Gegenstand, der beschwichtigt wurde, im Kontext von Jagd, wie im Kontrast zu der Erforschung im Kontext der Landwirtschaft (Reis anbauend).
vgl. Yoshiyuki Kojima, „Inasaku igaino Kisetsu no Girei - Hana-shizume no Masturi no Imisurumono -“ [„Die Rituale der Jahreszeiten anders als die des Reiswachsens: Was das Festival des Beschwichtigens der Blume bedeutet“], Folklore, no. 4 (Japan: Honami Shoten, 1994).

Wenn wir die restlichen Liedtexte ansehen, wird das Lied des Festes Hana-shizume geschlossen mit den Worten: Yasurahe (oder Yasurai), Hana ya, Yasurahe, Hana ya (Zögern Sie [Nur nicht so eilig, Nur mit der Ruhe], Blume, Zögern Sie, Blume).
vgl. Orikuchi Shinobu Zenshu 21 Nihon Geino-shi Rokko [Die gesammelten Werke von Shinobu Orikuchi Vol. 21 Die sechs Vorträge über die Geschichte der japanischen Leistungskünste] (Japan: Chuokoron Sha, 1996), pp. 68-69 und Yanagita Kunio Zenshu 18 Minyo Oboegaki Minyo no Ima to Mukashi hoka [Die gesammelten Werke von Kunio Yanagita Vol. 18 Volkslieder, Die Gegenwart und Vergangenheit der Volkslieder, etc.] (Japan: Chikumabunko, 1990), p. 435.

Some of Appellative Names of the Months and Some of Season Words

There are many Season Words (Kigo) available throughout the whole of Spring (the three spring months) and of Summer (the three summer months) and of Autumn (the three autumn months) and of Winter (the three winter months), including Noasobi [an outing in the field] for Spring, Ukai [fishing with cormorants (an ancient fishing method catching Japanese trout called Ayu by using tamed cormorants)] for Summer, Shikabue [a deer whistle] for Autumn, and Kareno [a desolate (dreary) field] for Winter. But I will only give examples specific to each month.

A brief mention (his or her pseudonym, autonym, literary style, etc.) of each of the Haiku poets whose poems are used as examples of the Kigo usage is in the bottom part of this "Some of Appellative Names of the Months and Some of Season Words" section on this page.

Spring - The three spring months.

1 Mu-tsuki - The first month of the luni-solar calendar (hereinafter omitted), January.
Other names for "January" are Shogatsu (though the term "Shogatsu" is generally used to refer particularly to the first few days of the month when the New Year's holiday is celebrated), Taro-zuki [Month of "Taro" ("Taro" is the term referring to "the beginning of things" or "the first")], etc.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Asari [eine Japanische „Baby-Hals“ Klaffmuschel, a Japanese baby-neck (littleneck) clam], Awayuki [ein luftiger Schnee, light snow], Daidai [eine saure Orange, a sour (Seville, bitter) orange], Eho-dana [ein Altar von „der glückliche Richtung,“ für das Begrüßen von dem Gott (Kami) von einem wiederauflebenden Zyklus des Jahres (Toshigami ), in dem sich seine Eigenschaft als ein Getreidegeist (wie zum Beispiel ein Reisgeist im Reisanbaugebiet) mit seiner Eigenschaft als ein Ahnengeist vereint, an "auspicious direction" altar, more specifically, a New Year's special household altar for welcoming the god of the cycle of the year toward the resurgence of life (Toshigami ), who is said to come from the year's auspicious direction], Ebisu-matsuri [das Ebisu (der gott von der Schiffahrt und dem Fischfang und dem Handel) Fest, the Ebisu (god of shipping, fishing, commerce) Festival], Futobashi [special thick round chopsticks used on festive occasions], Kairaishi (also read as "Kugutsushi") [ein besuchender Ritualausführender (Überbringer eines Sagens) order ein Wanderkünstler, genannt Kairaishi, der ein Puppenspieler war, a Ritual Visitor or Strolling Player called Kairaishi who was a puppet master], Manzai [die besuchender Ritualausführenders genannt Manzai, die zusammen ein Komödien-Duo bilden und von Haus zu Haus beglückwünschend gehen, Ritual Visitors called Manzai who form a comedic duo and go about from door to door], Saruhiki [ein besuchender Ritualausführender (Überbringer eines Sagens) order ein Wanderkünstler, genannt Saruhiki, der ein Schausteller einer Affenausstellung war, a Ritual Visitor or Strolling Player called Saruhiki who put on a monkey show], Shihohai [das bedeutet, den regierende Göttern von den vier Himmelsrichtungen die Hochachtung zu erweisen, paying respect to the four quarters, more specifically, a practice of honoring Heaven and Earth and the four Taoist gods supposed to reign over the four points of the compass, for example, a Shinto ceremony held on New Year's Day in the Imperial Court, in which the Emperor pays respect to the deities in all quarters], Tsukushi [ein Halm des Zinnkrauts, a fertile shoot (stalk) of field-horsetail], Yabuiri [„die Rückkehr zu der Heimat bewachsen mit Gestrüpp (Yabu),“ der Begriff bezieht sich auf eine Gewohnheit seit der Edo Periode, in der die (verpflichtete, wohnhafte) Diener die Erlaubnis zu gehen nach Elternhäusern bekommen konnten, "Returning home overgrown with thickets (Yabu)," the term refers to a custom since the Edo period, in which (indentured, live-in) servants could get leave to go home to see their parents], etc.
  • Yabuiri no Neru ya hitorino Oya no soba (Taigi, Taigi Ku Sen)  • Yabuiri
    On a holiday of servants A returned one's sleeping tight At mother's home. (A free and rather descriptive translation [hereinafter omitted])

2 Kisaragi - The second month, February.
Other names for "February" are Konome-zuki [Month of leaf buds], Umemi-zuki [Month of Japanese apricot blossom viewing], etc.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Asatsuki [ein Schnittlauch, a chive], Hatsu-uma [der erste Tag des Pferds, der nach dem Anfang des Frühlings zufolge des Mond-Sonne Kalenders kommt, the first Horse day that rolls around after the beginning of spring according to the luni-solar calendar], Kawazu (also read as Kaeru) [ein Frosch, a frog], Na-no-hana [die Rapsblume, the flower of rape], Nehan-e [das Nirvana Fest, das am fünfzehnten Tag des zweiten Monats zum Gedenken an dem Buddhas Hingang ausgeführt wird, the Nirvana Festival, the festival held on the fifteenth of the second month in commemoration of the death of the Buddha], Nembutsu-odori [das Nembutsu Tanzen, Nembutsu Dancing], Suzume no Ko [ein Spätzchen, a baby sparrow], Tanishi [eine Wattschnecke (Hydrobia ulvae), a mud snail (the family Viviparidae)], Tanpopo [ein Löwenzahn, a dandelion], Tsubame [eine Schwalbe, a swallow], Ukogi [ein Ginseng, a ginseng], Yamazakura [die Gebirgskirschblüten, mountain cherry blossoms], etc.
  • Te wo tsui te Uta moshiaguru Kahazu kana (Sokan, Arano)  • Kawazu (Kahazu)
    With its hands placed on the ground, Of reciting a poem before the nobleman The frog has all the appearance.
    The passage by Ki no Tsurayuki, "Hana ni naku Uguhisu, Mizu ni sumu Kahazu no Koe wo kikeba, Ikitoshiikerumono no izure ka Uta wo yoma zarikeru," finds mention in the Kana foreword of Kokin Shu.
    Note: There are two interpretive theories.
    
    (1) Listening to the song of a bush warbler which sings on the flowering branch and that of a frog which lives in water, I wonder who, be it mouse or man, has failed to recite a poem. No one. Every living thing has recited a poem.
    (2) Who, be it any one, could listen to the song of a bush warbler which sings on the flowering branch and that of a frog which lives in water without a feeling of wanting to recite a poem? No one. Everyone has recited a poem.
  • Yase-gaeru Makeruna Issa Kore ni ari (Issa, Shichiban Nikki)  • Kaeru (-gaeru)
    Scrawny frog, Hold hard there, For here I am.
    "Kore ni ari" is the wording used by the samurai warrior when announcing himself (declaring his identity) to the enemy on the battlefield.
  • Na-no-hana ya Tsuki ha higashi ni Hi ha nishi ni (Buson, Buson Ku Shu)  • Na-no-hana
    Above the rape field are seen The rising round white moon in the eastern sky And the setting red sun in the western heavens.
  • Ware to ki te Asobe ya oya no Nai suzume (Issa, Ora ga Haru)  • Suzume no Ko (Oya no nai Suzume)
    Come along and play With me [a motherless child], Parentless sparrow.
  • Yufu-tsubame Ware niha asu no Ate ha naki (Issa, Bunka Ku Cho)  • Tsubame (-tsubame)
    Evening swallows going in and out of the nest, In contrast to me having An undependable tomorrow.

3 Yayoi - The third month, March.
Other names for "March" are Hanami-zuki [der Monat von sehend die Kirschblüte, Month of cherry blossom viewing], Sakura-zuki [Month of Japanese cherry], etc.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Azami [eine Distel, a thistle], Ashibi no Hana [die Blume der Japanische Andromeda (Pieris japonica), the flower of Japanese andromeda (Lily of the Valley)], Hana [eine Blüte, a flower], Hanashizume-no-matsuri [the Hanashizume Festival], Hina-asobi [das Spielen mit den Hina Puppen, playing Hina dolls], Joshi [das Puppenfest, das am dritten Tag des dritten Monats gefeiert wird, the Doll Festival, the festival on the third day of the third month], Kangaku-e [die „Lernen-Förderung“ Versammlung, die auf Mount Hiei in dem dritten Monat und dem neunten Monat abgehalten wird, an der 20 Tendai Priesters und 20 Scholars von der Akademie der Literatur teilnehmen, the "Learning-encouragement" Meeting, more specifically, the meeting held in the third and ninth months on Mount Hiei with the participation of 20 Tendai priests and 20 students of the academy of literature], Kinsenka [eine Ringelblume, a pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)], Kinpoge [eine Butterblume, a buttercup], Mibu Nembutsu [dieser Begriff oft bezieht sich auf das stillschweigende Spiel (die Pantomime), gennant „Nembutsu Kyogen“ oder „Mibu Dai Nembutsu Kyogen,“ das während des Nembutsu Diensts an dem Mibu Tempel aufgeführt wird, refers often to a silent play (pantomime) called "Nembutsu Kyogen" or "Mibu Dai Nembutsu Kyogen" performed during a Nembutsu Service held for several days at the Mibu Temple], Sakura [die Japanische Kirsche, Japanese cherry], Sakuragai [eine Art von „Zimmermanns Plattmuschel“ (Nitidotellina nitidula), a kind of carpenter's tellin], Yamabuki [eine Japanische Rose (Kerria japonica), a Japanese rose], Yuku-haru [der abgehende Frühling, the departing spring], etc.
  • Hana-mori ya Shiroki kashira wo Tsukiahase (Kyorai, Komo Jishi Shu)  • Hana-mori
    Old flower guards under the cherry blossoms are leaning Their hoary head Towards each other.
  • Horohoro to Yamabuki chiruka Taki no oto (Basho, Ohi no Kobumi)  • Yamabuki
    Gently to the ground Japanese rose petals are drifting In the roar of a waterfall.
  • Yuku-haru ya Omotaki buwa no Dakigokoro (Buson, Gosha Hogu)  • Yuku-haru
    In mourning the passing of spring, turn I for comfort to the Biwa play, But the Biwa [a Japanese lute] feels heavy In my arms.

Summer - The three summer months.

4 U-zuki - The fourth month, April.
Other names for "April" are Hananokori-zuki [Month of remaining flowers], U-no-hana-zuki [Monat der utsugi Blumen, Month of utsugi (deutzia) flowers], etc.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Aoi-matsuri [das Aoi (Stockrose) Fest, das Fest geht unter dem Namen „Aoi-matsuri“ wegen seiner bezeichnenden Stockrosen-Dekoration, obgleich es das Fest der Kamigamo- und Shimogamo-Heiligengräber (Kamo-no-matsuri) ist, the Aoi (Hollyhock) Festival, the festival goes by the name "Aoi-matsuri" because of its distinctive hollyhock leaves decoration, though it is the festival of Kamigamo and Shimogamo Shrines (Kamo-no-matsuri)], Amagaeru [ein Laubfrosch, a tree frog (Hyla arborea)], Aosudare [ein grüner Fenstervorhang aus Bambus, a green bamboo blind (screen)], Hototogisu [a little cuckoo, (Cuculus poliocephalus)], Kakitsubata [a rabbit-ear iris (Iris laevigata)], Kanbutsu [das bedeutet, eine Statue des Kleinkinder-Buddhas mit dem süße Hortensien-Tee am achten Tag des vierten Monats zu bestreuen (man könnte das „Baden“ nennen), um seinen Geburtstag zu feiern, "Sprinkling the Buddha," sprinkling sweet hydrangea tea on an image of the infant Buddha to celebrate his birthday on the eighth day of the fourth month], Koromogae [ein jahreszeitlicher Wechsel der Kleidung, a seasonal change of clothing], Kumo no Ko [a baby spider], Miyakogusa [a bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus var. japonicus)], Mugikari [das Weizenmähen, cutting barley or mowing wheat], Natsu-kusa [Sommer-Gräser, summer grasses], Natsu-kodachi [ein Gehölz im Sommer, a grove in summer], etc.
  • Hototogisu Koe yokotafu ya Mizu no ue (Basho, Fuji no Mi)  • Hototogisu
    The note of a little cuckoo having flown away Drifted and lingered Over the water.
    The passage, "Suiko Ten ni tasshi, Hakuro Ko ni yokotaharu," finds mention in the first Fu on the Red Cliffs by Su Shi (1036-1101), a scholar of literature and leading poet of the Sung dynasty, China, whose pseudonym is Su Dongpo (Su Tung-p'o).
  • Hitotsu nuide Ushiro ni oi nu Koromogahe (Basho, Ohi no Kobumi)  • Koromogae (Koromogahe)
    Lightening my clothing by a layer, With the removed on my back, The koromogae was completed.
  • Natsu-kusa ya Tsuhamonodomo ga Yume no ato (Basho, Oku no Hosomichi)  • Natsu-kusa
    Summer grasses Are all that remains After a fleeting dream of those who had fought for distinction and reveled in glory.
  • Kitsutsuki mo Iho ha yaburazu Natsu-kodachi (Basho, Oku no Hosomichi)  • Natsu-kodachi
    Even the woodpecker has Left unhollowed this hut, a silent presence In a summer grove.
  • U-no-hana no Taema tatakan Yami no kado (Kyorai, Sumidahara)  • U-no-hana
    Seen dimly white utsugi flowers, I shall knock at a rift in them, which might be A gate in the dark night.

5 Satsuki - The fifth month, May.
Other names for "May" are Sanae-zuki [Month of rice seedlings], U-getsu [Monat des Regens, Month of rain], etc.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Aji [Japanische Bastardmakrele, Japanese horse mackerel], Ajisai [eine japanische Hortensie, a Japanese hydrangea], Anzu [an apricot], Kanoko [ein Kitz, a fawn], Kuwa no Mi [a mulberry], Kyuri [eine Gurke, a cucumber], Samidare (also read as "Satsukiame") [der Frühsommerregen, ein anhaltender Regen in dem fünften Lunar-Monat, the early summer rain, a long rain in the fifth lunar month], Semi [eine Zikade, a cicada], Shobu no Yu [ein Duftbad mit den Blättern der Schwertlilie, a bath scented with iris leaves], Tango [das Knabenfest, das am fünften Tag des fünften Monats gefeiert wird, the Boy's Festival, the festival on the fifth day of the fifth month], Utsusemi [die (zurückgelassenen) leere Larvenhaut der Zikade, the cast-off skin of a cicada], Yana Utsu [die Fischreuse zu stellen, placing the fish weir], etc.
  • Samidare no Sora fukiotose Ohoi-gaha (Basho, Arisoumi)  • Samidare
    The early summer rain lasts. Blow off the overcast, rainy sky by the raging force of yours, The River Oi.
  • Yuku mizu ya Take ni semi naku Shokoku-ji (Onitsura, Satoe Nanakuruma)  • Semi
    Along a stretch of the stream A bamboo grove stands, and therein sing the cicadas, In the Shokoku Temple.

6 Mi-na-zuki - The sixth month, June. "Na" of the name "Mi-na-zuki" is a particle meaning "no ['s, of, belonging to]," and the purport of this name is "the month of water," that is, the month of irrigating a rice field.
Other names for "June" are Kazemachi-zuki (also read as Kazamachi-zuki) [Month of waiting for the wind], Narukami-zuki [Month of a god that sounds (the god of thunder)], etc.
cf. Akira Muramatsu and Akiho Yamaguchi and Toshimasa Wada eds., Kogo Jiten [The Dictionary of Archaic Words], Revised and New Edition (Japan: Obun Sha., 1988). Akira Muramatsu ed., Daijirin, Second and Desk Edition (Japan: Sanseido, 1995).

• Season Words (Kigo) - Amagoi [das Darbringen von Gebeten für den Regen, offering prayers for rain], Ao-hozuki [a green ground cherry], Gama no Ho [die Ähre des Breitblättrigen Rohrkolbens, a cattail spike (cattail: Typha latifolia)], Gion-e [das Gion Fest, das ein Fest des Yasaka Heiligengrabs ist, the Gion Festival that is a festival of Yasaka Shrine (originally, the festival was held in an effort to appease the "curse" or to stop the spread of epidemics)], Itsukushima-matsuri [das Itsukushima Fest, das ein Fest des Itsukushima Heiligengrabs mit der alte feierliche Hofmusik von Japan (Gagaku) ist, the Itsukushima Festival, a festival of Itsukushima Shrine with ancient ceremonial Court music of Japan (Gagaku)], Kemushi [a woolly caterpillar], Kumo no Mine [eine erhöhte Sommerwolke wie eine Bergspitze, a lofty summer cloud like a mountain peak], Kuzu no Hana [the flower of kudzu (Pueraria lobata)], Makuwa-uri [an edible Oriental sweet melon (Cucumis melo var. makuwa)], Mushiboshi [ein Lüften im Sommer, a summer airing], Semishigure [ein Zikadenchor oder der Gesang der Zikaden, a chorus of cicadas or the singing of the cicadas], Suzumi [sich an der Abendkühle zu erfreuen, to enjoy the cool of the evening], Yugao [ein Flaschenkürbis, a white flowered gourd (Lagenaria siceraria var. hispida)], etc.
  • Kumo no mine Ikutsu kuzure te Tsuki no yama (Basho, Oku no Hosomichi)  • Kumo no Mine
    How many cumulonimbus clouds, Having piled up and caved in, Made Mount Gatsu (Gassan) worthy of the name?
  • Hito kitara Kahazu to nare yo Hiyashi-uri (Issa, Shichiban Nikki)  •Hiyashi-uri [A chilled Makuwa-uri]
    If anyone comes, Turn yourself into a frog so as not to be eaten, Sweet melon in cold water.

Autumn - The three autumn months.

7 Fumi-zuki (also read as Fuzuki) - The seventh month, July.
Other names for "July" are Fumihiroge-zuki [der Monat von aufmachend die Bücher und die Schriften, Month of opening books and writings (airing out them in the night breeze)], Tanabata-zuki [Month of the Star Festival], etc.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Ama-no-gawa [the Milky Way], Chugen [der fünfzehnte Tag des siebten Monats zufolge des Mond-Sonne Kalenders, the fifteenth day of the seventh month according to the luni-solar calendar], Asagao [eine Japanische Prunkwinde (Ipomoea [Pharbitis] nil), a Japanese morning glory], Higurashi [a clear-toned (green-colored) cicada], Ise-odori [das Ise Tanzen, Ise Dancing], Kirigirisu [eine Langfühlerschrecke (Gampsocleis buergeri), a long-horned grasshopper], Nihyakutooka [der 210te Tag seit dem ersten Tag des Frühlings nach dem Mond-Sonne Kalender oder „der Tag des Sturms,“ the 210th day from the first day of spring according to the luni-solar calendar or the "storm day"], Okuribi [das feierliche Feuer, das am Abend des letzten Tags des Bon Fests angezündet wird, damit in dem Schicken von den Geistern der Toten zurück reibungslos und schnell vorangekommen werden kann, ceremonial fires lit on the evening of the last day of the Bon Festival to speed the spirits of the dead on their way], Segaki [a Bon rite of offering food to relieve the suffering of those who are in the realm of hungry spirits (Gaki)], Toro [a lantern], Ukon no Hana [the flower of turmeric], Umaoi [eine Langfühlerschrecke (Hexacentrus japonicus), a long-horned grasshopper], Urabon-e [der Urabon (oder „Bon“ in einfacher Weise, wie oben genannt) Dienst, der eine buddhistische Überlieferung ist, der für die Ruhe der Toten abgehalten wird, the Urabon (or simply "Bon" as called above) Festival, a Buddhist Service for the repose of the dead (See Urabon-e)], etc.
  • Araumi ya Sado ni yokotafu Ama-no-gawa (Basho, Oku no Hosomichi)  • Ama-no-gawa
    Away across the heavy sea Floats the penal island of Sado and above it across the sky Extends the Milky Way.
  • Asagaho ni Tsurube tarare te Morai-mizu (Chiyoni, Chiyoni Ku Shu)  • Asagao
    Morning glory Taking a well bucket before me, I asked my neighbor for water.
  • Fumi-zuki ya Muika mo tsune no Yo niha nizu (Basho, Oku no Hosomichi)  • Fumi-zuki
    In the seventh month, with thought of the Star Festival, The evening of the sixth day Differs from any other night.
  • Muzan ya na Kabuto no shita no Kirigirisu (Basho, Oku no Hosomichi)  • Kirigirisu
    How cruel and tragic! Under the helmet belonged to a fallen old warrior [Sanemori] Now a long-horned grasshopper's chirping.
    The line of the Higuchi Jiro part, "Ana muzan ya na Saito Betto Sanemori nite sourahikeru zo ya," finds mention in a Noh song (Yokyoku) titled "Sanemori."

8 Ha-zuki - The eighth month, August.
Other names for "August" are Kei-getsu (also read as Katsurazuki), Tsukimi-zuki [der Monat von sehend den Mond, Month of viewing the moon], etc.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Akebi [an akebi (Akebia quinata)], Ashi no Hana [the flower of reed], Hassaku [der Tag, an dem die Krieger die Geschenke (wie zum Beispiel Schwerter und Pferde) austauschten und die Huren in Yoshiwara die weiße Kimono Kleider (Hochzeitskleider) anzogen, the day when Samurai warriors exchanged presents (such as swords and horses) and the harlots in Yoshiwar put on pure-white Kimono dresses (wedding gowns)], Inataba [ein Reisbündel, a bundle of rice plants], Izayoi-zuki [ein „sechzehn Tage alter“ Mond, a sixteen-day-old moon], Kari [die Wildgänse, Wild geese], Kaya Karu [das Abmähen von Pflanzen der Gras- oder Segge-Familie, die als Dachstoff einstmals verwendet wurden, scything plants of the grass or sedge family that were formerly used as roofing material], Kinuta [Ein Pochen Arbeitstisch, der verwendet wird, um ein Kimono-Tuch angenehm und glänzend zu machen, order die Gepflogenheit, an das Kimono-Tuch im Zeitablauf mit großer Sorgfalt zu pochen, dessen Ton schwermütig ist, a pounding bench used for making a kimono cloth soft and lustrous or the practice of pounding the kimono cloth over time with great care, of which sound is plaintive], Meigetsu [ein Vollmond in der fünfzehnte Nacht des achten Lunar-Monats, der einer der schönsten im Jahresverlauf ist, a full moon on the fifteenth night of the eighth lunar month, which is one of the most beautiful of the year], Nowaki (also read as Nowake) [ein starker Herbstwind order ein Taifun im Frühherbst, a fierce autumn wind or a typhoon in the early autumn], Shoro [ein Shoro Pilz, a Shoro mushroom (Rhizopogon rubescens)], Tachiuo [Atlantic cutlassfish (Trichiurus lepturus)], Wataridori [ein Zugvogel, a migratory bird], Yamagara [eine Meise, a titmouse (Parus varius)], etc.
  • Kefu kara ha Nihon no kari zo Raku ni ne yo (Issa, Shichiban Nikki)  • Kari
    From today on, until the spring, You're going to be the geese in Japan, Take a good rest.
  • Meigetsu ya Kado ni sashikuru Shihogashira (Basho, Mikazuki Nikki)  • Meigetsu
    The full moon being shining beautifully, In a canal near the gate of the hut are seen The shimmering wave crests.
  • Tobadono he Goroku-ki isogu Nowaki kana (Buson, Buson Ku Shu)  • Nowaki
    In the direction of an Imperial villa in Toba, Five or six armored warriors gallop atop their horses through, A fierce autumn wind sweeps across.

9 Naga-tsuki - The ninth month, September.
Other names for "September" are Kiku-zuki [Monat der Wucherblume, Month of chrysanthemum], Momiji-zuki [Monat des Herbstlaubs, Month of autumnal foliage], etc.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Ajiro Utsu [das Stellen der Korbflechtwaren-Fischreuse, placing a wickerwork fish trap], Azuki Hiku [grinding adzuki beans], Hashibami [a hazel], Ichijiku [a (common) fig], Igaguri [chestnuts in the burr], Ikutama-matsauri [the Ikutama Festival, a festival of Ikutama Shrine held in the ninth month], Kangaku-e [die „Lernen-Förderung“ Versammlung wird, wie oben erwähnt, auf Mount Hiei in dem dritten Monat und dem neunten Monat abgehalten, the "Learning-encouragement" Meeting held in the third and ninth months on Mount Hiei as mentioned above], Kugatsujin [Der letzte Tag des neunten Monats, an dem der Herbst endet, the last day of the ninth month, on which autumn ends], Kurumi [a walnut], Shinmai [the first rice of the year], Yo-samu [die Kälte der Nacht im Spätherbst order jene Jahreszeit, the night cold in late autumn or that time of year], Yuzu-miso [eine süß schmeckende Sojabohnepaste (Miso) mit Zitronegeschmack, a sweet citron-flavored soybean paste (Miso)], etc.
  • Kiku no ka ya Nara niha huruki Hotoketachi (Basho, Ohi Nikki)  • Kiku
    The scent of the chrysanthemum fills the air, There reside in the southern capital Nara the ancient Buddhas as divine as they were ever.
  • Kugwatsujin Haruka ni Noto no Misaki kana (Kyotai, Kyotai Ku Shu)  • Kugatsujin (Kugwatsujin)
    On the day that autumn ends Far away across the northern sea of boundless expanse Lies Noto Peninsula.
  • Ichinin to Chomen ni tsuku Yo-samu kana (Issa, Issa Hokku Shu)  • Yo-samu
    "One," Entered the number of guests in a hotel register, Adds greatly to the night cold.

Winter - The three winter months.

10 Kami-na-zuki (also read as Kanna-zuki) - The tenth month, October. "Na" of the name "Kami-na-zuki" is a particle meaning "no ['s, of, belonging to]" as in the above name "Mi-na-zuki," and the primary and correct purport of this name is "the month of god," that is, the month of celebrating a god. However, having interpreted it as "na (the stem of an adjective word "nashi " [there is no, dose not exist, be gone])," a popularly held belief suggests that "Kamina-zuki" is the month when there are no gods (in any other places other than Izumo, for all the gods of heaven and earth forgather at the Great Shrine at Izumo).
Other names for "October" are Hatsu-shimo-zuki [Month of the first frost of the year], Shigure-zuki [Monat eines (leichten) Regenschauers, Month of a (light) shower of rain], etc.
cf. Akira Muramatsu and Akiho Yamaguchi and Toshimasa Wada eds., Ibid. Akira Muramatsu ed., Ibid.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Hiiragi no Hana [The flower of holly], Kami-ari [„die Götter sind dabei,“ "gods being present"], Kami-tsudoi [die Versammlung der Götter, a gathering of gods], Kanbai [early Japanese plum blossoms], Kangiku [die Winter-blühende Wucherblumen, the winter blooming chrysanthemums], Kare-obana [verwelkte Silver-Gräser, die wie Pampasgräser aussehen, withered silver grasses (Japanese silver grass: Miscanthus sinensis)], Kogarashi [ein kalter, winterlicher Wind, a cold wintry wind], Konpira-matsuri [das Konpira (die Schutzgottheit von der Seefahrer) Fest, the Konpira (guardian deity of seafarers) Festival], Koromogae [ein jahreszeitlicher Wechsel der Kleidung, a seasonal change of clothing], Sazanka [a sasanqua (camellia)], Soba Karu [das Buchweizenmähen, mowing buckwheat], Suisen no Hana [the flower of narcissus], etc.
  • Kangiku ya Konuka no kakaru Usu no hata (Basho, Sumidahara)  • Kangiku
    The winter blooming chrysanthemums Are lightly dusted with fine powder Beside a mortar.
  • Kitsunebi no Moetsuku bakari Kare-obana (Buson, Buson Ku Shu)  • Kare-obana
    Many a blue colored will-o'-the-wisp, having begun flaring, Seems on the verge of setting The withered silver grasses afire.
  • Kogarashi no Chi nimo otosanu Shigure kana (Kyorai, Kyorai Sho)  • Kogarashi
    By the side-blowing cold wintry wind Is hindered to reach the ground A drop of light rain.
  • Hatsu-shigure Saru mo komino wo Hoshige nari (Basho, Saru Mino)  • Hatsu-shigure [the first Shigure]
    In the first light shower of rain Monkey has a look of longing for a small straw raincoat On its face.

11 Shimo-tsuki - The eleventh month, November.
Other names for "November" are Kagura-zuki [Month of Kagura (a performance of sacred music and dancing)], Yukimi-zuki [der Monat von sehend die Schneelandschaft, Month of snow-scene viewing], etc.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Buri [Yellowtail], Hachitataki [ein besuchender Ritualausführender order ein Wanderkünstler, genannt Hachitataki, brachte einen Klang durch Anschlagen von einer Schale (Hachi) order einem Flaschenkürbis (er wird verwendet, um einer Hachi ähnlich sehen) hervor und rezitierte das Nembutsu von Kuya (903-972), um Spenden für religiöse Zwecke bittend, a Ritual Visitor or Strolling Player called Hachitataki who made a sound by hitting a bowl (Hachi) or a gourd (it is used to resemble a Hachi) and recited the Nembutsu of Kuya (903-972), soliciting contributions for religious purposes], Hakamagi [a celebratory event for 5-year old male children to wear their formal "Hakama" trousers for the first time], Kamioki [a celebratory event for 3-year old children to be allowed to grow their hair long], Niiname-matsuri (also read as "Niiname-sai" and "Shinjo-sai") [das Erntedankfest, the Harvest Festival, for example, in the Imperial Court, the year's first harvest is first offered to the god and then shared with the Emperor], Obitoki [a celebratory event for 7-year old female children to wear their Obi sashes for the first time], Tamashizume-matsuri [Das „Geist-Beruhigung“ Ritual, das ausgeführt wird, damit der Geist/die Seele den Körper nicht verläßt, the "Spirit-pacification" Ritual, this "pacifying and stabilizing the spirit/soul" ritual is given for fear that the spirit/soul that dwells in the body might leave the body], Toji [die Winter Sonnenwende, the winter solstice], Tori no Ichi [das „Hahn-Markt“ Fest, das am jeden Tag des Hahns in dem elften Monat abgehalten wird, the "Tori-no-Ichi" Fair held at Otori Shrine on each Day of the Cock in the eleventh month], Yukinoshita [a strawberry saxifrage], etc.
  • Iza saraba Yukimi ni korobu Tokoro made (Basho, Hanatsumi)  • Yukimi
    Well, then, Let's go for snow-scene viewing, till we slip and fall Just keep on going.

12 Shiwasu - The twelfth month, the year-end, December.
Other names for "December" are Goku-getsu [Month of reaching an extreme point of the year (the last month of the year)], Ro-getsu [Month of a hunting festival called "Ro"], etc.

• Season Words (Kigo) - Haru wo Matsu [das Warten auf den Frühling, waiting for spring], Hiiragiuri [ein Stechpalmenverkäufer oder eine Stechpalmenverkäuferin, a holly tree seller], Iwashi no Kashira Sasu [das bedeutet, den Kopf (das Auge) einer sonnengetrockneten Sardine mit einem Zweig der Stechpalme zu durchstechen, um das Übel zu abwenden, pricking the head (eye) of a sun-dried sardine with a twig of holly in order to ward off evil —That has become proverbial as follows: Even the head of a sardine can ward off evil to someone who's convinced it can (Anything can be a good-luck charm if a person is convinced it is)], Joya [das Sylvester, New Year's Eve], Kangetsu [ein Wintermond, der besonders glänzend zu sein scheint, a winter moon that seems to be shining particularly brightly], Kan no Uchi [die Dauer der kälteste Zeit des Jahres, the period of the coldest time of the year], Karazake [ein lufttrockener Lachs ohne Salzzusatz, der eine Spezialität der Nordgegend ist, an air-dried salmon with no salt added, which is a specialty of the northern region], Koto-osame [die Schließung von den Dingen des Jahres (einschließlich der Arbeiten und Aktivitäten), the closing of things (including works and activities) for the year], Mochitsuki [die Herstellung von Reis-Kuchen (Mochi) durch stampfend den gedämpften Reis mit einem Holzhammer, pounding steamed rice with a mallet into rice cake (Mochi)], Mosochiku [a Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens)], Susuharai [„das Auffegen des Rußes“ (das jährliche Reinemachen zum Jahresende hervorgeht aus einem Religionsbrauchtum, daß die Leute die Altäre in ihren Häusern und die Zimmer säuberten, um Toshigami zu hereinführen), "Sweeping the soot off," this annual year-end cleanup tradition, called Susuharai, originates from a religious custom in which people cleaned their household altars and rooms to usher in Toshigami (See Toshigami)], Toshi no Kure [das Jahresende, the year-end], Yuku-toshi [the old (dying) year], etc.
  • Kangetsu ya Ware hitori yuku Hashi no oto (Taigi, Taigi Ku Sen)  • Kangetsu
    Under the wintery moon I walk alone late at night, There's only the clatter of my clogs resounding on the bridge.
  • Karazake mo Kuya no yase mo Kan no uchi (Basho, Saru Mino)  • Kan no Uchi and Karazake
    The specialty dried salmon And the gaunt figure of a monk of the Nembutsu sect of Kuya, both convey An even stronger sense of the rigors of winter in the kan no uchi.
  • Tabine shi te Mishi ya ukiyo no Susuharai (Basho, Ohi no Kobumi)  • Susuharai
    On my journey, Oh, I have watched the worldly bustling Susuharai.
  • Toshi kure nu Kasa ki te waraji Haki nagara (Basho, Nozarashi Kiko)  • Toshi no Kure (Toshi kure nu)
    The year ended with me Still wearing a straw lampshade hat And putting on straw sandals.

Season Words (Kigo) - cf. Akira Muramatsu and Akiho Yamaguchi and Toshimasa Wada eds., Kogo Jiten [The Dictionary of Archaic Words], Revised and New Edition (Japan: Obun Sha, 1988), a list of Kigo entitled "Kigo Shu" in the appendix to this archaic words dictionary. Akira Muramatsu ed., Daijirin, Second and Desk Edition (Japan: Sanseido, 1995).

• "Kinuta": I try to draw it by hand in imitation of the picture included in Kogo Jiten, Ibid. But the dictionary does not name the source of the picture.

Ritual Visitors - I will try to draw them by hand in imitation of the copies of the original pictures in Professor Masahiko Hayashi's "Nihon no Taishu Geino" covering Japanese popular performing arts from ancient and medieval times to recent and modern times with images and photographs included in a 50-page material provided by Lecturers of "The World of Popular Performing Arts: Kamishibai, Etoki, and Sekkyo Joruri" at the Meiji University Liberty Academy Hall on the 12th of May, 2007.
Note: Professor Masahiko Hayashi (Meiji University) is the foremost authority in the field of Etoki Study.

• "Hachitataki" in Shichiju-ichi-ban Shokunin Utaawase appeared presumably in 1500: What is planted on the ground beside a Hachitataki is an antlers-headed walking stick called Kasezue . As is well known, the famous portrait statue "Kuya Shonin Zo" at Rokuharamitsu-ji (a standing image of Priest Kuya [903-972], who was called "the sage of the streets" and "Amida saint," with the six Amida Buddhas [the six-character Name] coming out from the mouth. A work by Kosho, a sculptor of Buddhist images in the Early Kamakura period) holds the Kasezue in his left hand. ⁽²⁾
• "Edo Manzai" in Jinrin Kinmo Zui published in 1690: The garments that the Manzai duo are wearing are drawn with loud patterns and two persons in braided hats are depicted beside the duo (on the observers' left) against a background of a grove or trees in the copy. But I leave out the patterns and the persons and the background in my hand drawing.
• "Saruhiki" in Ehon Otogi Shina-kagami written by Mitsunobu Hasegawa in 1730: The upper garments that a monkey and Saruhiki are wearing are drawn with the kimono patters (Monkey's garment with a large, auspicious pattern and Saruhiki's with a plain, waffle pattern) and two child spectators are depicted as a background (on the observers' right) in the copy. But I leave out the patterns and the background in my hand drawing.
• And, though not included in the month-specific Kigo words above, "Shakuhachi" ("Komuso") in Jinrin Kinmo Zui published in 1690: The fence is drawn as a backdrop in the copy. But I leave out the fence.

A brief mention of each of the Haiku poets
Basho (Baseu): Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), a Haiku poet in the Early Edo period. His other pseudonyms - Tosei, Furabo, etc. His autonym - Matsuo Munefusa. The idiom of Basho - He is said to have established a distinguished original literary style, placing a high value on the beauty of "Tranquility (Kanjaku )" with refinement or elegance, such as austere refinement or austere elegance, and raised the popular seventeen-syllable verse (having a 5-7-5 syllabic form), or the Haiku poetry, to the realm of art.
Buson : Yosa Buson (1716-1783), a Haiku poet and painter in the Middle and Late Edo period. His other pseudonyms - Saicho (initially-used), Yahantei, etc. The family name of his autonym - Taniguchi. The idiom of Buson - His literary style is said to be tableau (pictorial) and romantic. As a painter in the literary artist's style (Bunjin-ga), Buson ranks with Ike Taiga (1723-1776) who was a Nan-ga painter and perfector of a Japanese-style Bunjin-ga painting.
Chiyoni : Kaga no Chiyo (1703-1775), a Haiku poet in the Middle Edo period. Her another appellative name - Chiyojo. She is said to have been found by the Early and Middle Edo Haiku poets, Kagami Shiko (1665-1731) and Naito Rosen (1655-1733), when they were on a tour to the Hokuriku area. But her life is half-legendized, and remains incompletely known. The idiom of Chiyoni - Her literary style is said to have her flashes of brilliance and fine sentiments, whereas it is said to have little depth.
Issa : Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), a Haiku poet in the Late Edo period. His autonym - Kobayashi Nobuyuki, commonly known as Yataro. The idiom of Issa - He is said to have established a unique and original literary style full of the human touch, representing emotions in his sincere and raw form, though rough. He often composed Haiku poems with his compassionate eyes toward the weak.
Kyorai : Mukai Kyorai (1651-1704), a Haiku poet in the Early and Middle Edo period and one of "Shomon Jittetsu (Seumon Jitsutetsu)" [The ten great minds of the Basho School]. His another pseudonym - Rakusha. His autonym - Mukai Kanetoki. The idiom of Kyorai - His literary style is said to have a lofty tone, having inherited and observed the way of his master Basho.
Kyotai (Keutai): Kato Kyotai or Kumura Kyotai (1732-1792), a Haiku poet in the Middle and Late Edo period and one of "Tenmei Shi Haijin" [The four great Haiku poets of the Tenmei era]. His other pseudonyms - Bouko, etc. The first name of his autonym - Kanetaka. The idiom of Kyotai - He is said to have an elegant and graceful literary style, which had a profound influence on the Haiku circles in Owari (now Nagoya) and westward of Owari.
Onitsura : Uejima Onitsura or Kamijima Onitsura (1661-1738), a Haiku poet in the Middle Edo period. The first name of his autonym - Munechika. The idiom of Onitsura - He is said to have composed sublime Haiku poems in his pursuit of the "true" Haiku poetry, which would sing of the deep feelings of a poet with adhering neither to the appearance of a phrase nor to the word, after the realization in 1685 that "Only by a true heart, the Haikai poetry is subsistent (Makoto no hoka ni Haikai nashi)."
Sokan : Yamazaki Sokan (dates of birth and death unknown), a Renga poet and Haiku poet in the later part of the Muromach period (the Muromachi period: 1336-1573). His autonym - Shina Norisuke. He is considered to be the father of the Haikai poetry, of which intrinsic qualities are "the Unconventional and Detached (Hyoitsu )" and "the Comic (Kokkei )," including a playful linked verse (Renga: 5-7-5 and 7-7) as a form of a 31-syllable Japanese poem (Waka: 5-7-5-7-7) and a 17-syllable Japanese poem traditionally containing a reference to the seasons (Haiku: 5-7-5).
Speaking of the Comic, have you read Redeeming Laughter, in which Dr. Peter L. Berger sets forth the Comic as a signal of transcendence?
Peter L. Berger, Redeeming Laughter: The Comic Dimension of Human Experience (Berlin: Walter de Gruyter & Co., 1997).
Taigi : Tan Taigi (1709-1771), a Haiku poet in the Middle Edo period. Tan Taigi and Yosa Buson were the soul of the Haiku circles in the Tenmei era of the Edo period. The idiom of Taigi - His literary style is said to be characterized by sensitivity and exquisite techniques.