ゆるやかに着て人と逢ふ蛍の夜
yuruyaka ni kite hito to au hotaru no yo
wearing my kimono loosely
to meet him
firefly night
—Katsura Nobuko
(Tr. David LaSpina)
("Summer Clothing" by Hirano Hakuhou)
Katsura Nobuko, 1914–2004, was a strong woman's voice in modern haiku. For many years, she helped with the magazine josei haiku—women's haiku. Her early poems were somewhat erotic and her later ones were more calm but full of emotion. She won numerous awards during her life.
Firefly viewing is one of those seasonal events that the Japanese love. It is much looked forward to every year, and there is a great romantic feeling to the event. Though these days the fireflies are becoming fewer and fewer and sighting them is becoming somewhat rare. Whether that is due to global warming, one of the many chemicals we spray everywhere these days, or something else, no one is quite sure. Fireflies also have a ephemeral quality in haiku.
To wear one's kimono loose means to trust a man. She is telling us that this isn't just any man, but someone special. Perhaps she is reflecting on a pleasant memory from when she was younger.
❦
| Don't miss other great haiku in the Haiku of Japan series! |
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Collections
- Collection 1 :: Haiku 1–10
- Collection 2 :: Haiku 11–20
- Collection 3 :: Haiku 21-30
- Collection 4 :: Haiku 31-40
- Collection 5 :: Haiku 41-50
- Collection 6 :: Haiku 51-60
- Collection 7 :: Haiku 61–70
- Collection 8 :: Haiku 71–80
- Collection 9 :: Haiku 81–90
- Collection 10 :: Haiku 91–100
 | David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time. More? |
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