Winter Camellias

Camellias in the morning.

Camellias at dusk.


Two mornings ago I opened the curtains and was amazed to see my camellias in full bloom. I wondered why they blossomed profusely on such a cold day. It was as if they were fed by the winter cold.

霜降りの ..........(shimofuri no)
朝を肥やしに ....（asa wo koyashi ni）
寒椿 .................(kan-tsubaki)

Translating this haiku into an English version was difficult, but here is an approximation.

Winter Camellias,
Why do you burst in full bloom
In the frosty air?

The above translation emphasizes the beauty of the blooms. If I were to emphasize the force of nature (which was my original intent), the following would be the translation:

Frosty morning air,
Did you feed my Camellias
To burst in full bloom?

Here is another haiku from another perspective:

霜降りて ................ (shimo orite)
今日がためにと .... （kyou ga tamenito）
咲く椿 ................... (saku tsubaki)

Having experienced the severe morning, the camellias may have thought that there may not be a tomorrow and burst into full bloom.


Copyright 2009

"The Child of Pain"

There are many moments of pleasure in one's life. In my case, filling my mouth with the sweetest and juiciest watermelon, or a freshly ripened fig, on a hot summer day is one. Gazing into a dog's eyes which are gazing into mine is another. Listening to the sound of chicks—the world’s most delightful music to my ears—coming from the nest of my society finches is another. There are many more, and each is unlike and as precious as any other.

But sometimes at the peak of pleasure, I hear this tasty voice singing this line “... pleasure is the child of pain” out of a song. If these moments of pleasure happen to be various forms of temptation, have I suffered the consequences of being tempted? Yes, I have. Do I regret being tempted? No, ultimately. Even the later pain of responsibility, separation, or loss has given me something I needed. I will probably be asking the same question when the time comes for my door to this world to be closed.

That song is called “Antonio’s Song” and has been beautifully sung by Salena Jones, Japan’s long-time favorite. One of the few belongings I brought with me from Japan was a phonograph record of her album “Melodies of Love” containing this song. With Kenny Burrell’s guitar, this album was recorded by Salena Jones and Tadao Tokoro at Victor Studio & Hitokuchizaka Studio in Tokyo in September, 1980. It was a big hit in the 1980’s.

I found a YouTube video of Salena Jones singing "Antonio's Song" accompanied by a flutist in "hakama" (a type of traditional Japanese clothing usually worn on formal occasions). I don't know who he is, but what a virtuoso he too is.

Moment

I remember the joy and excitement, and then the moment it was all over, in each of my trips to Japan. I can't count how many times this realization has struck my heart.

空港で　(Kuukou de)
始まり終わる (Hajimari owaru)
旅時計 (Tabidokei)

Oh, at the airport
Begins and ends silently
My time of travel

Copyright 2009

New Year Sunrise

My friend shot this "hatsu hinode" (New Year sunrise) while traveling on a ferry near Toisaki, Japan.

Happy New Year!

Akemashite omedeto!

"Kakizome" is the tradition of writing with brush and ink on January 2nd. "Kaki" means write and "zome" means first occasion.

Copyright 2009

On New Year's Day last year, I was in Kushiro to see these birds. My heart instantly flies to Kushiro as I watch these crane photos beautifully compiled by my friend--a traveler that I met at the sanctuary, Akan Tancho no Sato.