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triveni spotlight: 15th October 2023

triveni spotlight A FEATURE EVERY ALTERNATE DAY! hosts: Kala Ramesh and Vidya Shankar GUEST EDITOR: Keiko Izawa 15th October 2023


tojishi hane shizuka ni hiraki chō shiniki

its closed wings

slowly open…

the butterfly dies


Bon Fujiwara (1910 – 1975)

from Internet

butterfly: spring kigo (if used alone) in Japanese saijiki



During this month, I’d like to introduce contemporary Japanese haiku, including kigo, which are referred to as “yūki haiku(有季俳句)”. In yūki haiku, toriawase (matching kigo and the remaining phrases) is the key point, not to mention its creativity and originality. In my view, Japanese haiku are generally simple compared to English (language) haiku, but the subtle sensibility is embedded within as the synergies with the power of kigo. I hope you enjoy karumi (lightness) blended with seasonality in these haiku.

Keiko Izawa

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Thank you for being our next guest editor Keiko Izawa You are bringing something fresh and this is going to be a treat for all our members. _()_

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11 Comments


marilyn ashbaugh
marilyn ashbaugh
Oct 15, 2023

The simple observation of this haiku provokes such depth and poignancy as to bring tears. So masterful yet appears so effortless. Thank you for sharing, Keiko!

Edited
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Keiko Izawa
Keiko Izawa
Oct 15, 2023
Replying to

Marilyn,

I’m so glad to read your comment. Yes, the deep pathos is beautifully worded with karumi.

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Kala Ramesh
Kala Ramesh
Oct 15, 2023

Very well captured, Keiko.

Thanks

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lakshmi iyer
lakshmi iyer
Oct 15, 2023

A timeless haiku! A sense of mystery and a beauty in its closing and opening.

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Marion Clarke
Oct 15, 2023

It is as if the butterfly had tried to get some last warmth from the sun by opening its wings one final time. A relatively simple observation from nature that is movingly beautiful.


marion

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lakshmi iyer
lakshmi iyer
Oct 15, 2023
Replying to

Well said @Marion Clarke

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Robert Kingston
Oct 14, 2023

I liked this to the closing scene of the film “Bladerunner” Keiko. A moment I have had in mind to capture for quite a while, to no avail thus far. And yet Bon does so so we’ll here.


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Keiko Izawa
Keiko Izawa
Oct 15, 2023
Replying to

Thank you, Robert, for letting me know the film “Blade Runner “. I googled it and recognized the scene you mentioned. Some scholars say that non-human animals have no awareness of death. But is this really true? Pigs are said to grunt as they approach the slaughterhouse during transportation. My mother said her old cat came to her bedside and mewed briefly before disappearing for death.

The ending scene of the butterfly reflects in ours. The poet keenly captured the moment and alluded to it in a shasei style.

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