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Writer's pictureVidya Shankar

triveni spotlight: 23rd October 2023

triveni spotlight A FEATURE EVERY ALTERNATE DAY! hosts: Kala Ramesh and Vidya Shankar GUEST EDITOR: Keiko Izawa 23rd October 2023


ichijin mo yurusazu kuro no fuyubōshi

not a speck of dust

allowed…

black winter hat


Fura Maeda(1884 – 1954)

from 365 Nichi Haiku Techō (365-Day Haiku Diary) 2023


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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14 Comments


lakshmi iyer
lakshmi iyer
Oct 23, 2023

Maybe he was holding an important position in the administration that he had great respect for his black hat and that too 'allowed' is the only word placed in L 2 with an ellipsis giving the readers a moment to think and maybe have regards for the person's hat.

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lakshmi iyer
lakshmi iyer
Oct 24, 2023
Replying to

Reminds me of the 'Her Majesty's bodyguards with this black hat'!!

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Kala Ramesh
Kala Ramesh
Oct 23, 2023

Good one, Keiko. Intriguing.

Sorry, I couldn't peek in for your earlier posts.

_()_

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Keiko Izawa
Keiko Izawa
Oct 23, 2023
Replying to

Thank you, Kala. It’s okay. I know your current situation in London🙂

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Keith Evetts
Keith Evetts
Oct 23, 2023

This reminds me of Saigyō:


a clear mirror

with just a speck of dust —

yet the eyes

have caught it, the world

having become what it is

—Saigyō tr Ueda

Sankashū c. 1180


via Bashō's later verse riffing on Saigyō:


white chrysanthemum

without a speck of dust

the eyes can catch

—Bashō tr Ueda

The hokku of a kasen renga 1694


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Vidya Shankar
Vidya Shankar
Oct 24, 2023
Replying to

Such beautiful poems in tune with the featured one. Thanks for sharing them, @Keith Evetts

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Vidya Shankar
Vidya Shankar
Oct 23, 2023

The key word here is "allowed". Wondering what the regulations could be. Thanks for sharing this, Keiko.

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Keiko Izawa
Keiko Izawa
Oct 23, 2023
Replying to

Thank you for the comment, Vidya. I think it’s just his sensitivity. I wouldn’t allow it, either🙁

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Rupa Anand
Rupa Anand
Oct 23, 2023

Hmm ~ quite unique a black hat would naturally attract dust to settle on it .. and yet not a speck allowed .. toriawase at its best ….. thank you, Keiko.

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Keiko Izawa
Keiko Izawa
Oct 23, 2023
Replying to

Thank you too, Rupa, for the comment.

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