It's cherry blossom season, and in Japan that has special significance. Even more this year, as they mourn their losses and cling to hope for rebuilding a strong future. Cherry blossom haiku has a long history, going back to the 17th c, masters. These spring haiku have a particularly delicate, exquisite, joyful aroma mixed with the sadness of life's brevity and fragility. Seems perfect for these days. Here are some of my favorite cherry blossom haiku by the Japanese poet Basho: (photos are mine, from 2008)
A lovely spring night
suddenly vanished while we
viewed cherry blossoms
From all these trees –
in salads, soups, everywhere –
cherry blossoms fall
For a lovely bowl
let us arrange these flowers...
Since there is no rice
Silent the old town . . .
the scent of flowers floating . . .
And evening bell
Ah, the sadness and the sweetness! Take a moment to enjoy some tiny pleasure - one day's blossom worth of joy.
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9 comments:
Love your post of pictures and haiku about cherry blossoms.
No spring around these parts yet. We had snow twice this week!
Lovely reminder of beauty, fragility, strength, tradition, and SPRING.
Exquisite photos! Thank you for sharing these Haiku and beautiful cherry blossoms at a time when we yearn to recall the beauty in Japan.
If you don't mind, I'm going to sit for a while on that porch swing and take in these haiku. Wonderful photos accompanying.
Beautiful photos and haikus. I'm anxiously awaiting cherry blossom season around here. The blooms should be appearing any day now. Thanks for the preview!
Beautiful photos and haikus. I'm anxiously awaiting cherry blossom season around here. The blooms should be appearing any day now. Thanks for the preview!
Thanks for these beautiful moments. Gorgeous photos as always. It's cherry blossom season in D.C.!
I love the haiku where blossoms fill the empty rice bowl. Beauty can sustain a person and help him/her through difficult times.
Oh I love this it is spingtime incarnate!
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