KAKI SEASON: Getting a Kaki

GETTING A KAKI

(An Illustration by Aoi Tokugawa

getting a kaki

the kitty mafia wants one

not me!

ON SIMPLICITY

I believe in simplicity; yet, it is surprising as well as distressing, how many inconsequential concerns even the wisest man thinks that he must focus on in a single day – how rare the matter that he thinks that he must pass over. When a man of science or mathematics wishes to solve a difficult problem, the first step would be to clear the equation of all impediments and distractions, all unnecessary data; thus reducing it to its most simple terms. We should do the same: simply the problems of life and distinguish what is actually necessary and real.

One should search within himself to see where ones actual roots lie.

THE FIRST SIGNS OF AUTUMN

The First Signs of Autumn

Aki tatsu ya

Nani ni odoroku

Onmyōji

the beginning of autumn:

what is the fortune teller

looking so surprised at?

-Buson

Perhaps he is surprised because autumn is so early in its arrival: at least four to six weeks early by the calendar. Autumn colors such as these are far earlier in their display this year than in previous times. What that means for winter one can only guess, but for now, it is an early chance to walk about and enjoy the splendors of nature.

GEISHA PAUSES

GEISHA PAUSES

autumn dusk

geisha pauses -

next appointment






Copyright 2006, Hayato Tokugawa and East Meets West Fine Arts

HAIKU: IVY LEAVES

tsuta no ha ya
nokorazu ugoku
Aaki no kaze

ivy leaves -

every one of them flutters

in the autumn breeze

-Basho (1644 - 1694)

The print is by Sadao dated about 1930.

CRIMSON STAIRS

stairs crimson carpet

old bones groaning as they climb -

winter gust deceds

AN AUTUMN UKIYO-E

An Autumn Ukiyo-e

Here is an ukiyo-e for autumn. It is from "Azuma Fuzoku Nenju Gyoji" or "customs and Manners of Yearly Events at Eastern Capitol" for the month of October (Jugatsu), by Chikanobu Toyohara (1838-1912). This print from about 1890 shows a mother and her little child holding a red balloon while they enjoy an Autumn day together.

RED LEAVES: Haiku

RED LEAVES, LONG SHADOWS-
KYOTO'S HOLY PLACES
A HEART LONGS TO SEE

AKI APPROACHES

aki approaches
crickets sing, cicadas cry –
trees begin to blush

-Tokugawa

AUTUMN MOON

Autumn Moon

Autumn moon, geese fly
Fleeing winter’s cold embrace
My heart flies with them.