Late Spring・晩春
Poetic Name (Mei)
銘
Description / source poetry
Rock Azalea
岩躑躅
Iwa Tsutsuji
"Blossoming through rock, Mt Tokiwa azaleas reveal my true love - My stone lips speak his name not, while my heart longs for him in flowers"
- from the 古今集 Kokinshū
「岩躑躅」"Rock Azalea" / iwa tsutsuji
「思ひ出づる常磐の山の岩つつじ、言はねばこそあれ恋しきものを」
Air Perfumed 'Spring'
薫風
Kunpū
Towards the end of spring, the green foliage of the mountains and trees around town glistens in the warm sunshine. ‘Kunpū’ is the early summer breeze that carries the sweet, fresh fragrances of the vibrant foliage.
Image: @minenomatsu
White gull /
Seagull
白鴎 Hakuō
かまめ Kamame
A seagull is coomunly called 'kamame' in Japanese. 'Hakuō' (white gull) and 'kamame' (seagull) are older, more poetic names for 'seagull'.
The seagull may not evoke such a beautiful image for us in modern times. Human civilisation brings out the worst in seagulls. Australians will be used to seagulls fighting madly over chips (fries) at the cricket. In Marseille (and seagulls in Europe are much bigger than in Australia), I was horrified at the sight of a seagull pecking to death a pigeon before ripping off and gulping down bits of the pigeon's flesh. But the sight of seagulls soaring majestically on the sea-breeze, scanning the deep blue for prey, mirrors something primal in our own selves. It can be beautiful or ugly. Perhaps the horror seagulls inspire in us comes from the reflection we see of our selves caught in the madness of consumerist society.
"Countless are the mountains in
Yamato,
But perfect is the heavenly hill of Kagu;
When I climb it and survey my realm,
Over the wide plain the smoke-wreaths rise and rise,
Over the wide lake the gulls (kamame) are on the wing,
A beautiful land it is, the Land of Yamato!
- Emperor Jomei, Manyōshū
Daisy chain/
Flower crown
花かつら Hanakazura
The abundance of spring blooms sparks indulgent play. Sitting in warm grass, you weave countless flowers into a wreath and matching daisy chain, before crowning your friend with the glory of nature.
Under(yin)-side of Verdure/
Dark Foot of Trees
緑陰
Ryoku-in
木下闇 Koshita-yami
The verdure of trees has grown lush and resplendent. Yang. Under the canopy is calming shade.
Yin.
Where the glow of sunlight can still be felt, 'Ryoku-in' is appropriate.
Where the shadows are so dark the ground is moist, 'Koshita-yami' is more appropriate.
Image: @minenomatsu
Bluish Cloud
碧雲 (Heki-un)
In the high azure sky, the clouds appear to have taken on a tinge of blue.
Image: @minenomatsu
