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Saturday, February 22, 2014

A week of heavy snowfall



Japan last week experienced a deep snow for the first time in decades.
Still, covering the earth.

I have come across for the first time in my life.




雪の内に  春はきにけり  うぐひすの  こほれる涙  今やとくらむ
二条后 藤原高子 (842-910) 古今和歌集 


In the snow  spring has come  tears spilling from  the bush warbler  will melt?
Fujiwara no Takaiko (842-910) Kokin Wakashū




み吉野は  山もかすみて  白雪の  ふりにし里に  春は来にけり
摂政太政大臣 九条良経 (1169-1206) 新古今和歌集 


Mountains of Yoshino  falling white snow  like hazy  in lonely village  spring has come
Kujō Yoshitsune (1169-1206) Shin Kokin Wakashū 




Severity of winter will further enhance the joy of spring.
Please take care of yourself.







ヒソプの枝で私の罪を払って下さい。私が清くなるように。    私を洗って下さい。雪よりも白くなるように。
詩編 51章 9節

Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Book 19 Psalms 51:9


God bless you.


 

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Time to advance me with " Lead " Japanese calligraphy


 " Far East Amur adonis " in Japanese 福寿草 (Grass of happy life) 
 This flower is a representative coming spring.

 I will feel the sun shining in the cold wind.




 How far sharp skyline?
 It will disappear all too soon.

 And all will never return, just go ahead.






梅が枝に きゐるうぐひす 春かけて  鳴けども今だ 雪は降りつつ
読人知らず   古今和歌集


branch of plum warbler is hidden spring premonition  although singing snow is falling
unknown author  Kokin Wakashū






   "導" (dō, or michibiku). It is translated as direct, guide, lead, conduct.
   This character is written by Kanzi, Regular script. 

   Etymology : Ideogrammic compound
     道 (path) + 寸 (hand) 

This character reminds me a parent hold the child by the hand.
I feel that would have been led to something at all times.





尋 故 隠 君   

渡 水 復 渡 水  
看 花 還 看 花  
春 風 江 上 路  
不 覚 到 君 家  

高啓 (1336 - 1374)


" visit old friends "

across the water, and also across the water.
look at the flowers, and also see the flowers.
spring wind will continue through the road on the river.
I had arrived at the house before I knew

Gao Qi (1336 - 1374)


This is a hanging scroll that I wrote.
It has been calligraphy in watermark Japanese paper.





" Song of time "   sing Aoi Teshima  theme song of " Tales from Earthsea "   
Japanese animated fantasy film produced by Studio Ghibli in 2006


Her voice feel the flow of time.
Gentle sense of Japanese is expressed.





 Warmth may be riding in the palm.
 Will I notice it?

 All may not have been recognized.



結ぶうへに いやはりつめし厚氷 春のめぐみに 解けてあとなき
勝 海舟 (1823-1899)

More firmly  thick ice  spring grace  melts and without marks      
Katsu Kaishū (1823-1899)


This Tanka is the metaphor that is settled no matter how difficult.
He is the great samurai. Sublime patience is expressed.




Great difficulty might be waiting for us Japanese.
However, we will not be able to get away from it, must accept it. 

Absolutely.