Mackerel Clouds (iwashigumo)

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Mackerel Clouds, Sardine Clouds
(saba-gumo, iwashi-gumo, Japan)

***** Location: Japan, worldwide
***** Season: All Autumn
***** Category: Heavens

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Explanation




sardine clouds, iwashigumo 鰯雲 (the most common name in Japan)
fish-scale clouds , urokogumo 鱗雲
mackerel clouds (literally) sabagumo 鯖雲

This kigo has been used since the Edo period. When you see these spotted clouds in the pale blue sky, it makes you feel like remembering your childhood, when you talked with your friends about phantastic future plans. Or you look back on your own life, things you could not achieve, things you had to give up, things you used to enjoy. Seeing your life moving on like these clouds, for some reason you feel better.
That was one explanation of my haiku sensei.

Of course, fishermen say you expect a good catch of sardins and mackerels, when these clouds appear, hence the name.
Gabi Greve

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True Cirrocumulus is comparatively rare, and is one of the clouds that gives the beautiful "mackerel sky" appearance.
Cirrocumulus generally occurs in more or less extensive sheets, consisting of very small elements in the form of grains, ripples, etc., (Plate 56). These sheets often show one or two systems of undulations. They may have fibrous margins (Plate 57).
Cirrocumulus also occurs in patches in the shape of lenses or almonds, often very elongated and usually with well-defined outlines.

A great link about Clouds.
http://www.mid-c.com/manmar/Cirrocum.htm

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http://www.melma.com/mag/70/m00089270/a00000556.html

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Worldwide use

England
We also call it a Mackerel sky in England. It usually means rain after a clear spell in summer - usually within 12 hours. But then it rains a lot here.
Eryu

USA
a mackarel sky here is a high cirrus cloud that is cut into pieces by windswells. so it looks like it is sliced. it also looks like a mackarel. here it is an almost infallible sign of wind, and that rain will come in three days.
Susan Delaney

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Things found on the way

Haiku no Hakoniwa, My little Garden
Japanese Haiku and Photos
春　　 夏　　 秋　　 冬　　 無季
Spring Summer Autumn Winter Nonseasonal
http://www.geocities.co.jp/Bookend-Kenji/1083/

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Herringbone Clouds



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HAIKU

sardine clouds -
my haiku floating
amongst them

。。。　。。。　。。。　Sardinenwolken -
。。。　。。。　。。。　meine Haiku schweben
。。。　。。。　。。。　zwischen ihnen

In the blue sky today, they are drifting along as I pull my weeds, pull my thoughts ...
Gabi Greve
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/happyhaiku/message/903

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鰯雲日かげは水の音迅く　　　飯田龍太

Here is a great picture to go with the haiku.
http://www.geocities.co.jp/Bookend-Kenji/1083/iwasigumo.htm

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鴟尾光る寺屋根高き鰯雲


Mackerel sky
over the temple,
The roof ends glistening.
http://wadaphoto3.web.infoseek.co.jp/haiku3.htm

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Related words

***** Cloud, clouds(kumo) worldwide. Various Kigo.

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BACK TO THE WORLD KIGO INDEX
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/


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