The Solitude of Night

Commenting on a haiku by Hassane Zemmouri, published on Luca’s Lily Pad #48 on December 23, 2019.

moon
no one to discuss with

A two-line ku with 7 syllables only that is capable of evoking –thanks to its brevity– an indefinite series of suggestions in the reader’s mind.

The ‘rough’ and solitary atmosphere clearly refers to the aesthetics of kōko 考古 and wabi 侘. The fact that the poet is alone, however, doesn’t have to be read in a negative way; it is rather an opportunity to look at himself and to enter into a sincere dialogue with his deepest fears, desires and aspirations.

In Japan, the term ‘moon’ (tsuki 月) –unless otherwise specified– is usually referred to autumn (aki 秋), which in literature means ‘change’ and ‘maturity’. Leggi tutto “The Solitude of Night”

Una waka anonima dal Kokinshū

この川にもみぢ葉流る 奥山の 雪げの水ぞ 今まさるらし
kono kawa ni momiji ha nagaru okuyama no yukige no mizu zo ima masarurashi

le foglie rosse
scivolano lungo questo fiume;
nei recessi montani
le acque del disgelo
si stanno ancora ingrossando

#waka anonima (KKS VI: 320). Traduzione dal giapponese di Luca Cenisi.

Immagine: Eishōsai Chōki, Una giovane donna attinge acqua da un ruscello (XVIII secolo)

Cinque haiku di Sugita Hisajo

バイブルをよむ寂しさよ花の雨
baiburu o yomu sabishisa yo hana no ame

leggendo la Bibbia
un senso di solitudine –
pioggia di fiori

Da: Haiku, Vol. 52, Kadokawa Shoten, 2003, p. 88

麦の芽に日こぼす雲や春寒し
mugi no me ni hi kobosu kumo ya haru samushi

dalle nubi gocciola il sole
sui germogli di grano –
la fredda primavera

Da: Gendai hyaku meikushū, Tokyo Shiki Shuppan, 2004, p. 39 Leggi tutto “Cinque haiku di Sugita Hisajo”