3/11/2005

Clear Autumn Sky (ten takashi)

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High and Clear Autumn Sky (ten takashi) Japan

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


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Explanation

"high sky", "high heaven", ten takashi 天高し
Clear autumn sky, high autumn sky
..... shuukoo, aki takashi 秋高し
refers also to the bright blue sky of autumn. It is different from the English "high autumn".

空高し sora takashi, the heaven is high

This is one of my favorite kigo. It really brings out the joy of a cool crisp day after the long, humid summer!

Gabi Greve

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The Autumn is high, aki takashi

this image comes from an old Chinese poem by To Shingen. He referred to the brave soldiers at the Northern fronts of China and their horses, but later the expression became known as a nature kigo in Japan.

秋高くして塞馬(さいば)肥えたり
杜審言(としんげん) Du Shenyan (To Shingen)

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High Autumn Sky in the Evening



From a whole page of superb photos from Sky and Clouds
http://kilkhor.cc.iwate-u.ac.jp/sperng/sora.htm

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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way


Beutiful picture of a clear autumn sky over Kyoto
A nice page about the Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto
http://fromkyoto.jugem.jp/?eid=117

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A page with translations of Chinise classical literature, including Tang poetry.

CHINESE CLASSICS& TRANSLATIONS
Tang Shi Tang Poetry

http://afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=bienvenue

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HAIKU


寒月や門なき寺の天高し  
kangetsu ya mon naki tera no ten takashi

cold moon -
a temple without gate and
the high autumn sky
Tr. Gabi Greve



A lua fria —
Sobre o templo sem portão,
O céu tão alto.
http://www.kakinet.com/caqui/antojapin.shtml

. Yosa Buson 与謝蕪村 visiting temples .




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high autumn sky -
the soaring hawk
takes my soul


.. .. ..


mata hitotsu
kabe ni ana ari
ten takashi

another crack
in the old farmhouse wall -
bright autumn sky

(after an earthquake, August 2005)

Gabi Greve

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high sky:
clouds above the mist
on the cotton fields

"chibi" (pen-name for Dennis M. Holmes)



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Clear autumn sky
the last athletic meet
in high school life


Naho Miyazaki
http://www.shiramizu.org/~haiku/haiku96/japan.html


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looking up
what a high pagoda
in the autumn sky


Masaoka Shiki

This haiku just has a right direct expression of the great three storied pagoda, soaring to the clear autumn sky.
http://shiki1.cc.ehime-u.ac.jp/~shiki/kim/discovery_contents.html

A clear sky spread out
over the sea, sun went down
over the Ko-Fuji in autumn

Masaoka Shiki
http://www.lib.ehime-u.ac.jp/KUHI/ENG/kuhieng36.html


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天高し坂越の浦の櫂伝馬





A great link with photos and local festival music by Wada san.
http://wadaphoto.jp/maturi/sakosi2.htm


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high autumn sky...
a crow attacks the buzzard
who doesn't mind

visoko nebo...
vrana napada škanjca
koji ne mari


- Shared by Tomislav Maretic -
Joys of Japan, October 2012



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Photo by Gabi Greve, (C) 2004
http://happyhaiku.blogspot.com/2004/11/clouds-in-my-valley.html

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Related words

***** Traveler's Sky (tabi no sora 旅の空)  


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3/09/2005

Christmas and Jesus

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Christmas, Weihnachten

***** Location: Worldwide
***** Season: Mid-Winter
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

Christmas is the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated in Christian Communities all over the world.
Here we can only highlight some of the different customs and activities during this time.

Gabi Greve


CLICK for more photos

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kigo related to Christmas

kurisumasu クリスマス Christmas, Weihnachten
kirisuto kootansai キリスト降誕祭(きりすとこうたんさい)
birth of Christ
..... kootansai 降誕祭(こうたんさい)
..... seitansai 聖誕祭(せいたんさい)"holy birthday"
..... gokootansetsu 御降誕節(ごこうたんせつ)

kurisumasu oo-uridashi
クリスマス大売出し(くりすますおおうりだし)
Christmas sale


seiju 聖樹(せいじゅ)"holy tree", Tannenbaum
kurisumasu ibu クリスマスイブ Christmas eve

seiya 聖夜(せいや)Holy Night
seiyageki 聖夜劇(せいやげき)"Holy Night performance"
Krippenspiel

kurisumasu kaado クリスマスカード Christmas card
kurisumasu kyaroru クリスマスキャロル Christmas carol
Weihnachtslied

seika 聖菓(せいか)"Holy Cake", Christmas cake


. Christian Celebrations in Winter
 




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Some nice Christmas web pages...

Winter Santa Scene (with music)
http://jsmagic.net/emissarypage8/


Singing Christmas Tree
http://wilstar.com/xmas/xmasjuke.htm


The Christmas tree site has all my favorite carols you can sing with including, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus! This will be found at the Mistletoe .

Michael Baribeau


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church window --
Christ reaching out through
metal bars


Photo and Haiku : Isabelle Prondzynski


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a vigil candle
drowns its flame ...
wooden Jesus


first day of Ghost Month ...
will Jesus and Buddha dwell
as my neighbors?

Chen-ou Liu : Poetry in the Moment


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my Jesus ...
sitting by my side
as I weep


Wilfredo R. Bongcaron Manila, Philippines


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Worldwide use

Australia and Southern Hemisphere

kigo for mid-summer

 
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Denmark

The main festival of the year in Denmark is Christmas. Danes celebrate Christmas Eve on December 24 and prolong the Christmas through December 25 and 26. Though many longstanding traditions have disappeared over the years, many traditions such as the family gathering at Christmas, lighting Christmas tree candles, and the month-long calendar candy are still celebrated today.

On Christmas Eve, after a splendid of traditional goose, Danish families light candles on the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. After dancing round the tree, singing traditional songs, the members of the family exchange gifts. Some of the family will probably have attended church services in the afternoon.

Christmas in Danish is called Jul, an old Nordic word for "feast", and it is the biggest holiday in Denmark with traditions that go back centuries.

http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-Denmark.htm

My family celebrates our Danish heritage with Chicken and dumpling soup for Christmas Eve dinner...I learned how to make it when I was eight years old. Every year, we bring out my great grandmothers letter to my mother with the recipe on it, even though we know the recipe by heart.
Kate Steere


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Guyana

kigo for the wet season

Christmas is consider in Guyana as the Season of Goodwill.

hard rain
in the Season
of Goodwill


Kenneth Daniels, Guyana, 2009


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Japan

Shingō (新郷村, Shingō-mura) Shingo village
is a village located in the Sannohe District of south-central Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan.
The village promotes itself as the home of the
Grave of Christ (キリストの墓, Kirisuto no Haka) after a local legend.

Shingō village claims to be the last resting-place of Jesus, buried in the "Tomb of Jesus." According to the village's claims, Jesus Christ did not die on the cross at Golgotha. Instead his brother, Isukiri, took his place on the cross, while Jesus fled across Siberia to Mutsu Province, in northern Japan, where he became a rice farmer, married, and raised a family near what is now Shingō.
Entrepreneurs sell memorabilia and Jesus souvenirs to the tourists. Another tomb in Shingō is said to contain an ear of the brother of Jesus and a lock of hair from the Virgin Mary. The claims started in 1933 after the discovery of supposed "ancient Hebrew documents detailing Jesus' life and death in Japan" that was supposedly the testament of Jesus. These documents were allegedly seized by the Japanese authorities and taken to Tokyo shortly before World War II and have not been seen since.

The English text on the sign explaining the legend of the Tomb of Christ reads:

When Jesus Christ was 21 years old, he came to Japan and pursued knowledge of divinity for 12 years. He went back to Judea at age 33 and engaged in his mission. However, at that time, people in Judea would not accept Christ's preaching. Instead, they arrested him and tried to crucify him on a cross. His younger brother, Isukiri casually took Christ's place and ended his life on the cross.
Christ, who escaped the crucifixion, went through the ups and downs of travel, and again came to Japan. He settled right here in what is now called Herai Village, and died at the age of 106. On this holy ground, there is dedicated a burial mound on the right to deify Christ, and a grave on the left to deify Isukiri. The above description was given in a testament by Jesus Christ.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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Trinidad and Tobago

Here in T&T iwe are in the 12th day of what our radio stations call One Hundred Days of Christmas.

Gillena Cox


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Things found on the way


Haibun by Isabelle Prondzynski

Christmas greetings from Ireland!

We decorated the Christmas tree, fresh from our woods, on 23 December, ready for Christmas Eve festivities the following night :

Christmas tree
among sweets and tinsel
a spider's web

It was the first white Christmas for years -- we woke up on Christmas Day to gently falling snow. This has thawed slowly and frozen over, so the Christmas moon tonight is reflected by what remains of it -- a beautiful sight.

Christmas moon
dogs out sniffing
in the snow


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India
More than one billion people live in India. The most common religion is the Hinduism (about 80 per cent of the population is Hindu) and the Islam (about 11 per cent). Other religious sects, for example Christian denominations, are not very important in per cent. But expressed in figures are quite a few Christians in India and so there are certain Christmas customs on the subcontinent as well.
www.global-christmas.com/


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Christmas around the World


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HAIKU


デウス様自転している花の庭
Deus sama jiten shite iru hana no niwa

Dear God !
the garden with flowers
is going in circles


Nakamura Yasunobu 中村安伸

flowers, refers to cherry blossoms


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Danish dumplings
made from scratch
every year

Kate Steere

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Heiligabend -
keinen Parkschein
gezogen

Christmas eve -
forgot to get
a parking ticket
(Tr. Gabi Greve)

Gerd Börner

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after Christmas
she gives a used card
to her co-homeless friend


Vic Gendrano
http://www.geocities.com/vgendrano/index.html

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Christmas mass
bells boom at midnight
Christ is born

Christmas service
children hugging their
parents and toys

Isabelle Prondzynski

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christmas morning
the full moon sets
at dawn

christmas eve
a smiling moon
sets


susan delphine delaney


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car wreckage--
'Christmas' scribbled on
the dust film

at the bus stop--
his family and a barking
puppy in a cotton

festive month--
Christmas tones from the
blind beggar's flute

December dusk--
mall's Santa dances to
two laughing girls

a colourful night--
flickering fruits hang loose
on the stall window


Caleb David Mutua, Kenya, 2009

Kenya Saijiki Forum


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Christmas alone ...
above the old elm
a moonless sky


聖夜一人
古い楡の上
月なき空
(Tr. Nakamura Sakuo)


Joshua Sellers
December 2009
Translating Haiku Forum


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Christmas day--
myriad colours of feathers
at the chicken stand


Christmas morning--
she cuts dangling threads
off her son's new suit

Read more of the impressions from

Caleb Mutua, Kenya 2010


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Related words

***** > . Christmas Tree

***** > . Christmas Moon

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CLICK for more photos
christmas cake クリスマスケーキ
WASHOKU ... Japanese Food SAIJIKI
Weihnachtsstollen, Stollen



***** . Christian Celebrations in Winter
 

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Christmas Tree

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Christmas Tree,
Weihnachtsbaum, Tannenbaum


***** Location: Worldwide
***** Season: Mid-Winter
***** Category: Humanities


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Explanation


http://www.david-armstrong.com/christ.html

tree trimming
decorating the tree

. . . CLICK here for Tree Photos !


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The origin of the Christmas tree is the region of the Alsace between Germany and France.

History of the Christmas Tree

The decorated Christmas tree can be traced back to the ancient Romans who during their winter festival decorated trees with small pieces of metal during Saturnalia, a winter festival in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture.

An evergreen, the Paradise tree, was decorated with apples as a symbol of the feast of Adam and Eve held on December 24th during the middle ages.

Christmas trees were sold in Alsace in 1531. Alsace was at that time a part of Germany. Today it is part of France. The trees were sold at local markets and set up in homes undecorated. In the Ammerschweier in Alsace there was an ordinance that stated no person "shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoe lengths."

Sixteenth century folklore credited Martin Luther as being the first to decorate an indoor tree. After a walk through a forest of evergreens with shining stars overhead, Luther tried to describe the experience to his family and showed them by bringing a tree into their home and decorating it with candles. Some historians state that the first evidence of a lighted tree appeared more than a century after Martin Luther's death in 1546.

The oldest record of a decorated Christmas tree came from a 1605 diary found in Strasburg, France (Germany in 1605). The tree was decorated with paper roses, apples and candies.
In Austria & Germany during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the tops of evergreens were cut and hung upside down in a living room corner. They were decorated with apples, nuts and strips of red paper.

The first record of Christmas trees in America was for children in the German Moravian Church's settlement in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Christmas 1747. Actual trees were not decorated, but wooden pyramids covered with evergreen branches were decorated with candles.

Read a lot more here:
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees/traditions.html

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Christmas Tree Ikebana by Erika Schwalm, 2005

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Christmas Tree Facts
Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United states since about 1850. Until fairly recently, all Christmas trees came from the forest.

The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine.

Read it all here:
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees/


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Worldwide use

Brussels, Belgium

One special part of this end of the Christmas season in Brussels (Belgium) is the public collection of Christmas trees, which this year took place on 9 January. Householders are informed and, on that day, everyone should place their undecorated Christmas trees in front of their houses in the street, where the public authorities will collect them and recycle them for use of the shredded wood in the public parks.

Very few Christmas trees miss this collection date, and if they are put out with the rubbish afterwards, they have to be cut up and placed into the usual plastic bags for collection.

Isabelle Prondzynski
Kigo Hotline, January 2011


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Things found on the way


Haibun by Michael Baribeau

Tree Farm Hayride Santa

Last week I took my son Lee to Harts Tree Farm in Rockford, Michigan, USA to cut our own Christmas tree. Michigan is one of the largest producers of evergreens for Christmas trees, some 6 million each year. The tree farms have become quite an operation with a little petting zoo, pony ride, hayrides, hot apple cider and hotdogs.

tree farm
picturing my ceiling
above the douglas fir


CLICK for more photos


tree farm
Santa driving
the tractor

or for buying pre-cut trees at impromptued lots...

Christmas tree lot
wondering which one
will live longest

Michael Baribeau, 2005


Christmas tree lights --
from the couch I listen
to my father sleeping


Michael Baribeau, 2006

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HAIKU


Here is a heartwarming link of Children's haiku about Christmas.

In December, Mr Jones asked us to write Haiku on Christmas themes. We wrote a few together on the whiteboard and then we wrote our own. Here are the results. We hope you enjoy reading them.

Christmas is coming
Toys under the Christmas tree
Then we open them

Stefan, 5 years

Baubles on the tree
Lots of presents for us all
Oh, how exciting.

Trimmings on the tree
Santa puts toys on the tree
I like Christmas Day

Samantha, 4 years
http://www.porthjuniors.ndo.co.uk/MyEnglsihSet/christmas_haiku.htm

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Christmas Haiku by Tom Brinck
skating on the lake,
a tree ornament
half-buried in snow

Read the whole set of it
http://www.iowachristmastree.com/christmas_haiku.html

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at the garbage
a Christmas tree-
makes a good meal for a moose

Fred Masarani
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cherrypoetryclub/message/21202
http://community-2.webtv.net/fmas/HaikuByFredMasarani/


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Related words

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Christmas
. Christmas Moon
. Christmas Tree


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Chrysanthemum (kiku)

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. kiku 菊と伝説 Legends about chrysanthemum .
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Chrysanthemum (kiku)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: All Autumn and others, see below
***** Category: Plant


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Explanation


by Ogata Gekko - Viewing Chrysanthemums


Many Japanese kigo in connection with Chrysanthemums:

hatsugiku 初菊(はつぎく)first chrysanthemum

white chrysanthemum, shiragiku 白菊
yellow chrysanthemum, kigiku 黄菊


fine weather to enjoy chrysanthemums, kikubiyori 菊日和

crowded chrysanthemums, rangiku 乱菊
home full of chrysanthemums, kiku no yado 菊の宿
time for the chrysanthemums, kikudoki 菊時
park with chrysanthemums, sono no kiku 園の菊(そののきく)
friends enjoying chrysanthemums, kiku no tomo 菊の友(きくのとも)
owner of chrysanthemums, kiku no aruji 菊の主(きくのあるじ)

dew on chrysanthemums, kiku no tsuyu 菊の露
- chrysanthemum dew

Chiyomigusa 千代見草 ("live to see 1000 generations")
Manjuugiku 万寿喜久 (Long Life Chrysanthemum)
Kisewata 着せ綿 ("under the cotton blanket")
Koganegusa 黄金草(こがねぐさ)"golden plant"
Yowaigusa 齢草(よわいぐさ)
Shimomigusa 霜見草(しもみぐさ)"plant seeing frost"
..... Hatsumigusa 初見草(はつみぐさ)

kogiku 小菊(こぎく) small chrysanthemum
kiku dairin 菊大輪(きくたいりん)large round chrysanthemum
magaki no kiku 籬の菊(まがきのきく)rough fence with chrysanthemums
kikubatake 菊畑(きくばたけ)field with chrysanthemums

hyakujgiku 百菊(ひゃくぎく)
"one hundred different types of chrysanthemums"


source : facebook

If you look closely, there is only one stem and more than 100 different flowers from the many branches. IT was quite an art to prepare this "tree".

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kigo for late autumn

zangiku 残菊 (ざんぎく) remaining chrysanthemum
..... nokoru kiku 残る菊(のこるきく)
..... kiku nokoru 菊残る(きくのこる)

bangiku 晩菊 (ばんぎく) late blooming chrysanthemum

observance kigo for late autumn

kiku kuyoo 菊供養 (きくくよう) memorial ritual for chrysanthemums

18th of October
At the Asakusa Temple in Tokyo.
People by the chrysanthemums offered at stalls and persent them on the altar as an offering to the Kannon deity. Then they take a flower which had been offered by someone else and take it home. This is their amulet for warding off evil influence in the coming year.

. Asakusa Kannon 浅草観音 Tokyo .


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observance kigo for mid-autumn
sometimes placed as late autumn of the new calendar.


chrysanthemum festival 菊の節句 (きくのせっく) kiku no sekku
September 9, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month


. chooyoo 重陽 (ちょうよう) chrysanthemum festival, double nine festival
Chrysanthemen-Fest
 
Observance kigo for late autumn





Chrysanthemum-Dolls 菊人形 kiku-ningyoo
They are displayed in many temple grounds and prizes are given for the most beautiful ones.
. . . CLICK here for more Photos !


悪役の菊人形がよく匂ふ
akuyaku no kiku ningyoo ga yoku niou

a chrysanthemum doll
playing the bad guy
smells strong

Tr. Fay Aoyagi

Kanno Tadao 菅野忠夫


. Daruma as Chrysanthemum Doll  


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plant kigo for all winter

karegiku 枯れ菊 . 枯菊 (かれぎく) withered chrysanthemum
kiku karu 菊枯る (きくかる) chrysanthemums wither
..... kiku karuru 菊枯るる(きくかるる)
kare nokoru kiku 枯残る菊(かれのこるきく)withered chrysanthemums left
itegiku 凍菊(いてぎく) chrysanthemum in the cold



kangiku 寒菊 (かんぎく) chrysanthemum in the cold
shimo no kiku 霜の菊(しものきく) chrysanthemum in frost

fuyugiku 冬菊 ふゆぎく winter chrysanthemum
.... fuyu no kiku 冬の菊(ふゆのきく)

other names for the chrysanthemum in winter
hatsumigusa 初見草(はつみぐさ)"plant first seen"
shimomigusa 霜見草(しもみぐさ)"frost viewing plant"
yukimigusa 雪見草(ゆきみぐさ)"snow viewing plant"
akinakgusa 秋無草(あきなぐさ)"plant without autumn"
nokorigusa のこり草(のころぐさ)"left over plant"


寒菊や醴造る窓の前 
kangiku ya amazake tsukuru mado no saki

寒菊や粉糠のかかる臼の端
kangiku ya ko nuka no kakaru usu no hata

. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .

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plant kigo for mid-winter

kiku no toojime 菊の冬至芽(きくのとうじめ)
chrysanthemum budding at the winter solstice


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by Tsuchiya Koitsu

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Chrysanthemums have been cultivated in Japan since the Nara period. At the Heian court, Chrysanthemum shows and poetry assemblies were very popular.

Chrysanthemums became the symbol of the imperial family of Japan at the time of Emperor Gotoba 後鳥羽 (1180-1239), who loved this flower very much.




As a symbol for long life, the chrysanthemum was already popular in ancient China. Together with Buddhism and other cultural topics the flowers were brought back to Japan by the ambassadors to China (kenzuishi, kentooshi, see below).
To collect the dew on the chrysanthemum petals and drink it would bring you long life (chooju 長寿). The Flower Festival on the 9th of September is also one to celebrate one's wish for longevity 不老長寿.

As an auspicious symbol of long life (kisshoo monyoo 吉祥文様) the chrysanthemum was used for many decoration, on embroydered kimono and as sweets (wagashi).
The Chinese boy Kikujidoo 菊慈童 (きくじどう)drank the dew of the chrysanthemum and lived to gain immortality without ageing, or rather to the ripe age of 800 years. This legend was later incorporated into a famous Noh drama.

To grow big chrysanthemums for the autumn exhibitions is rather difficult. You have to care for the flower in special ways.

Look at : Big Round Heads, atsumono 厚物 
They are said to imitate the Buddhist symbol of a wishfulfilling jewel (hooju 宝珠).

Three flowers from one stem are called "sanbon jitate 三本仕立". They represent Heaven, Earth and Man (ten chi jin 天地人). This is a symbol for "all things shinra banshoo 森羅万象", the cosmos, nature and human society.



Another type looks like  "hanging from a cliff", kengaigiku 懸崖菊
(click for some photos)
.
kigo for late autumn


Here are some photos from "one thousand flowers from one stem  "one thousand flowers from one stem" senrinsaki 千輪咲き .

Chrysanthemums start to flower after the autumn solstice. They need long hours of darkness, before they start producing their buds. They flower long into winter and enchant us with their manyfold colors and forms.



. kikuzuki 菊月(きくづき)chrysanthemum month  
... kikuzakizuki 菊咲月(きくざきづき)
kiku no aki 菊の秋(きくのあき)autumn with chrysanthemums



 kiku makura 菊枕 (きくまくら) "chrysanthemum pillow"

Gabi Greve

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CLICK For more photos

purple chrysanthemums, murasaki mum

murasakigiku 紫菊
In memory of the Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu.

. The Tale of Genji, Genji Monogatari ... and haiku



*****************************
Worldwide use

Romania

Crizanteme
The floral autumn kigo par excellence.

the chrysanthemums—
left alone under the clouds
withstanding the wind

the owner is late
three chrysanthemums are left
on the piano

she will catch a cold:
watching the chrysanthemums
she forgot her coat


Cristian Mocanu
Romanian Saijiki

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the butterfly grown old,
its spirit plays
with the chrysanthemums


Seifu Enomoto

*****************************
Things found on the way


Sweets and the Chrysanthemum, the Culture of Kyoto

Manjuugiku and then Chiyomigusa, another name for the Chrysanthemum with the wish for a long life, is also the name of a small sweet Japanese cake made by in Kyoto.

CLICK for more on original LINK . sweetsmemory


"Under the cotton blanket", kisewata 着せ綿, reminds of a custom in the Heian period to put a cotton blanket over the flowers at night and then wipe their own body with this in hope to gain longevity.


www.kaho-fukuoka.co.jp/image/2004-10/kisewata.jpg


This is a cake in honor of the "Chinese Chrysanthemum Boy (kiku jidoo)"



Photo of the Manjuugiku sweet cake for Long Life

Click HERE to look at more sweet cakes with chrysanthemums !

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chrysanthemum:
the last-ing taste of
blowfish flesh

Chibi

Chibi is referring to Fugu, a poisonous fish prepared in this manner:

http://www.daifuku.net/ft-02.html


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isogiku いそぎく(磯菊) silver and gold chrysanthemum
a wild kind. Ajania pacifica, chrysanthemum pacificum.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


磯菊に林檎を乗せるあぶない夜
isogiku ni ringoo o nosete abunai yo

placing an apple
on the isogiku chrysanthemum ...
a dangerous night

Noraneko
Tr. Gabi Greve

*****************************
HAIKU


- - - - - Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉

朝茶飲む僧静かなり菊の花
asacha nomu soo shizuka nari kiku no hana

drinking morning tea
the monk becomes peaceful -
chrysanthemum flowers

Tr. Gabi Greve


A monk sips morning tea,
It's quiet,
the chrysanthemum's flowering. 

Tr. Hass


At temple Soozuiji 祥端寺, Katada 堅田, Otsu town 大津市
. . . CLICK here for Photos of the stone memorial !



菊の香や庭に切れたる履の底
kiku no ka ya niwa ni kiretaru kutsu no soko

chrysanthemum fragrance—
in the garden, the sole
of a worn-out sandal

Tr. Addiss

元禄6年10月9日 - 1693, October 9
This is just one month after the famous Chrysanthemum Festival.
Basho and his disciples had a late celebration at the home of Yamaguchi Sodoo 山口素堂 Yamaguchi Sodo. They saw the sole of a straw sandal with a broken thong.
They seemed to enjoy the contrast of the elegance of the Chrysanthemum festival with the lost sandal in the garden.


Chrysanthemum Haiku by
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .

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- Yosa Buson 与謝蕪村  Translations at terebess

asamashiki momo no ochiba ya kikubatake

kangiku ya hi no teru mura no katahotori (1768)

kangiku ya itsu o sakari no tsubomigachi (1768)

kiku no ka ya tsukisumi shimo no keburu yo ni (1776)

. kiku no tsuyu ukete suzuri no inochi kana .
(autumn) chrysanthemum. dew. ink stone

kikutsukuri nanj iwa kiku no yakko naru (1774)

kiku wa ki ni ame orosokani ochiba kana (1777)

mura hyakko kiku naki kado mo mienu kana

shiragiku ni shibashi tayutau hasami kana

shiragiku ya hana ichirin to yubekari

shiragiku ya niwa ni amarite hatake made

. Yosa Buson 与謝蕪村 in Edo .


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. Kobayashi Issa 小林一茶 in Edo - Chrysanthemum .
With translations and comment by Chris Drake


大名を味方にもつやきくの花
daimyoo o mikata ni motsu ya kiku no hana


薮原や何の因果で残る菊
yabuhara ya nan no inga de nokoru kiku

and more




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酒臭き黄昏ごろや菊の花
sake kusaki tasogare goro ya kiku no hana

the smell of sake
around about dusk...
chrysanthemum

The Chrysanthemum had special importance to Issa, especially after his 1814 marriage to Kiku, who was named after this flower.

ISSA - Translations by David Lanoue
There are 44 haiku on this ISSA link:
- source : haikuguy.com


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ものいはず客と亭主と白菊と
mono iwazu kyaku to teishu to shiragiku to

nobody talks -
guests and host and
a white chrysanthemum


niemand spricht -
Gaeste und Hausherr und
eine weisse Chrysantheme

Oshima Ryota 大島蓼太
September 9. 1718-1787

Discussing the various translations
Haiku Forum


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残菊の黄をとじこめし氷かな
zangiku no ki o tojikomeshi koori kana

the yellow
of late chrysanthemums all locked up
in ice


Tsuji Momoko 辻桃子


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A wren drinks
from white chrysanthemums -
morning fog

Zhanna P. Rader


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chrysanthemums
her cold wedding ring
in his pocket

Petar Tchouhov, Bulgaria, 2007

Origa writes

A poignant and haunting moment of high significance.The direct yet suggestive picture painted in this haiku shows in a symbolic meaning an ambient harmony of the wedding ring and the seasonal flowers offered to the dead wife. In many countries in Europe, chrysanthemums are the flowers for the dead, they are often seen in cemeteries. Chrysanthemum is also a symbol of longevity in Japan, and as such, in this haiku they suggest that the death/departure survived by a long lasting love and memory of the husband/widower.

Multilayered, skillfully composed, "classic" haiku, with obvious relations to the theme and dedication of this contest -- and needless to say, with such an immediate striking effect on the readers. I would suggest (and I kept it in mind while translating) ellipses at the end of L1, both in English and in Russian versions: it will reinforce the effect of the last departure painted by words in this haiku. Bravo, Petar!


RESULTS of the Sixth Calico Cat haiku contest.
Read more Chrysanthemum haiku from the contest HERE

Origa (Olga Hooper) 2007


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sunshine -
in grandmother's window
a chrysanthemum


Alex Serban, Romania


*****************************
Related words

..... Wild Chrysanthemum (nogiku 野菊

婦人会 皆花の咲く 野菊かな

all so active
in the Village Ladies Club -
wild chrysanthemum


Look at the phots by Gabi Greve, September 2006

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***** Spring Chrysanthemum
shungiku 春菊 (しゅんぎく )

leaves of chrysanthemum, kikuna 菊菜(きくな)
..... shingiku しんぎく
Shungiku is often used as food. See WASHOKU SAIJIKI.


seedlings of the chrysanthemum, kiku no nae
菊の苗 (きくのなえ)
kigo for late spring
buds of chrysanthemum, kiku no me 菊の芽(きくのめ)
fresh green of chrysanthemums, kiku no wakaba
菊の若葉 (きくのわかば)


hinagiku 雛菊 (ひなぎ) English daisy

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***** Summer Chrysanthemum
(natsu no kiku, natsugiku 夏菊)



kigo for all summer
Some early blooming types, with white or yellow flowers.


Haiku

夏菊やかるき昼餉の手打そば.. .. ..
natsugiku ya karuki hirumeshi no te-uchi soba

summer chrysanthemums -
for a light lunch
handmade buckwheat noodles
(Tr. Gabi Greve)

Usui Musoko (臼井無窓子)
http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~turu/kukai/g_200407.html


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kigo for early summer

matsubagiku 松葉菊 (まつばぎく) "pine needle chrysanthemum
sabotengiku 仙人掌菊(さぼてんぎく)
Lampranthus spectabilis


yagurumasoo 矢車草 (やぐるまそう) "windmill plant"
yagurumagiku 矢車菊(やぐるまぎく) Rodgersia podophylla

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kigo for mid-summer

jochuugiku 除虫菊 (じょちゅうぎく) nsect powder chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium


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kigo for late summer

Ezogiku 蝦夷菊 (えぞぎく) chrysanthemum from Ezo (Hokkaido
..... ezogiku 晩夏 翠菊(えぞぎく)
asutaa アスター China Aster
Callistephus chinensis


kinkeigiku 錦鶏菊 (きんけいぎく) golden wave
Coreopsis drummondii


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Reference:

Japanese Historic Embassies to China : Kentooshi 遣唐使
by Gabi Greve


Noh Drama of the Chrysanthemum Boy, Photo

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. PLANTS in all seasons - SAIJIKI

WASHOKU ... Japanese Food SAIJIKI

. kiku 菊と伝説 Legends about chrysanthemum .


[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
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Christmas Moon

nnnnnnnnnnnn TOP nnnnnnnnnnnnn

Christmas Moon, Weihnachtsmond

***** Location: Worldwide
***** Season: Mid-Winter
***** Category: Heavens

*****************************
Explanation

Sometimes the full moon happens around December 23 to 27. This is our Christmas moon.
In 2004, it was the 27 th of December.
Gabi Greve




The small Christmas moon of 2004
It's a special full moon, too: the smallest of 2004. Soaring high in the sky, it might remind you of a shiny white Christmas ball for your tree. Don't bother reaching for it... it's 406,700 km away!
Technically speaking, the moon isn't 100% full until Dec. 26th. But that's perfect timing for Christmas carolers and Santa.
The practically-full moon on Dec. 24th and 25th rises early, lighting up streets and rooftops as soon as the sun goes down.
What makes this full moon small? Answer: The moon's lopsided orbit.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/22dec_christmas.htm

*****************************
Worldwide use

*****************************
Things found on the way


So... to those of you who don't believe
in Santa, here's the proof:
Look out the window Christmas Eve
at the moonlight on your roof.

Read the full poem here:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/22dec_christmas.htm

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Haibun by Debi Bender December 27, 2004

In Orlando, Florida, heavy cloud cover from the frigid north arrived on Christmas Eve, along with a sneezy, runny nose for me. Cold, constant rain fell all Christmas day. Interestingly, man-made “clouds” would also make a strong attempt throughout the United States to cover the presence of deity, or Christian concept of “the light of God-in-man” during the holiday season. Through the American Civil Liberties Union, designed to protect freedoms, constant arguments and legal injunctions attacked public religio-cultural displays with reference to Jesus Christ or the mention of God. Nativity sets, hymns, the Charles Dickens play, “A Christmas Carol,” to name a few targets. The freedoms of merry old Saint Nicholas seem somewhat safe for the moment, though. As is the tradition in our little family, we stayed warm with cozy get-togethers, enjoying the fellowship. Sharing gifts, music, good food and drink. Remembering the military troops in the war and around the world, away from home and family.

frigid rain
though the moon is unseen
yet it is Christmas

DW Bender

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Haiga by Karina Kleskov
http://members.fortunecity.com/karina16/Christmas.Moon.htm


*****************************
HAIKU


Christmas moon -
with great expectations
I put on my gloves

Gabi Greve

my expectations can be seen below, all your wonderful haiku.

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A Collection of Haiku from the WHCworkshop 2004.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WHCworkshop/

cleaning up
after the presents-
Christmas moon

Christmas moon-
waiting for
his first words

outshining
the twinkling lights-
Christmas moon

Kate Steere

o o o o o

Weihnachtsmond -
durch die Stille faehrt
ein leerer Bus

Christmas moon -
through the silence drives
an empty bus
(Tr. Gabi Greve)

Gerd Boerner, WHCgerman

o o o o o

Christmas moon
fresh chocolate cake
from the kitchen

Ella Wagenmakers

o o o o o

christmas dinner -
there appear to be two moons
full in the sky

kevr (L/boro December 04)

o o o o o

moon scattering presents
round the world

Sally Evans

o o o o o

Christmas decorations
our eyes keep returning
to the haloed moon

dr_b_ross

o o o o o

switching off
the Christmas lights -
the room bright with moon


Norman Darlington

o o o o o

Christmas moon
my warm pajamas
not warm enough


Christmas Moon -
my neighbor's son explains
the art of Arnis

deborah russell

o o o o o

Christmas moon --
the shadows of three deer
reach our front door

Christmas moon --
the front door is approached
by three shadows

Origa

o o o o o

christmas moon
breakes thru the trees
alone....

shanna

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over Bethlehem
the same Christmas moon
above me

still cold
beneath the bright
yule moon

Michael Baribeau

*****************************
Related words

***** MOON > Moon and his Links

*****************************
Please send your contributions to Gabi Greve
worldkigo@yahoo.com




WHC Worldkigo Discussion Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WHCworldkigo/

Back to the WHC Worldkigo Index
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/

Chesapeake TOPICS

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
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The Chesapeake Saijiki – Non-Seasonal TOPICS,
All Year, Miscellaneous


The Chesapeake Bay is on the East Coast of North America.

Please read the general introduction here.

Please add your kigo and information.

M. Kei, April 2006
Editor of the Chesapeake Bay Saijiki

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The Collection of Non-seasonal Topics




.. .. .. Non-seasonal TOPICS

.. .. Season

.. .. Heaven

bully breeze --
The breeze blowing off of Bulle Rock, near Havre de Grace, Maryland. Even when the rest of the air is dead, there is often enough of a breeze from the rock to help a sailboat make harbor.

The breeze blowing off of Bulle Rock, near Havre de Grace, Maryland. Even when the rest of the air is dead, there is often enough of a breeze from the hill to help a sailboat make harbor. When the wind is fresh... sailing gets ‘interesting.’

From time immemorial mariners have used short poems as mnemonic devices to help remember important information. The captain of the Martha Lewis recently composed the following couplet as advice to his relief captains.

When the wind is from 300 degrees,
beware the Bulle Rock breeze.

~Capt. Byshe Hicks, US
Capt. Byshe is a skipjack captain.



high winds --
The topography and meteorology of the area combine to bring about sudden shifts in weather and may spawn sudden strong winds; wind warnings are often posted on the many bridges in the area. Certain traffic is prohibited from using the bridges during wind warnings. These winds may even occur in fair weather, without any rain or storm, especially in spring and fall.
.. .. .. .. .. World Kigo Database : WIND in various kigo


.. .. Earth and Sea

Comegy's Bight --
The place names of the Chesapeake are many and varied, a result of the endless melange of people who have settled here or passed through.

crisp autumn night...
we anchor in stars in
Comegy's Bight

~Gail Greene, US



Elkton floods --
The town of Elkton, on the Elk River, floods at frequent intervals throughout the year. Once navigable as far as Elkton where steamboats docked downtown, the Elk River has now silted up and has a pervasive flooding problem. For decades folks have been saying ‘something should be done,’ but nothing has changed.

”Before it went out of business, the local 5 & 10 used to keep merchandise at least two feet off the floor. During floods, clerks in hipwaders would go to fetch whatever the customer wanted and bring it to where they waited on the steps.”~M. Kei

five and dime:
the clerks wear hip waders
to serve customers

~M. Kei, US


granite --
A common stone from the Chesapeake Country, it was so readily available that it was used to build not only houses and churches, but also roads and curbs. Many small towns still retain relics of their granite paving as well as houses and businesses built from granite. Baltimore has a number of streets where the old granite bricks are still exposed. The town of Port Deposit, Maryland, is famous for its granite ledges.


knoll --
In connection with the Chesapeake Bay, a 'knoll' is understood to be an underwater hill. The bay varies in depth from ankle deep to holes a 150 feet deep, and suddenly changes in bottom topography are common. Some of the knolls are well-known and have acquired their own names and hazard lights, eg, Seven Foot Knoll.


marsh --
Marshes and other wetland abound on the Chesapeake, but are being filled in and their ecosystems badly damaged by ongoing development. In watermen’s communities, worn out boats are abandoned in marshes to dispose of them. Also ‘marshland.’

graveyard of boats
their memory sinks
into the marsh

~ M. Kei, US


“Wind-blown seeds found homes in the marshland. Here crabs gathered in May to shed their shells. Here geese flocked on frosty mornings, kids spying on them from shacks hidden in the reeds. All is changed now, all faded away. The Black Walnut Point* on the Chesapeake Bay has become a bed and breakfast inn.”
~Tei Matsushita

marshland--
stakes rotten, but a haven
for flowers without name

~Tei Matsushita, US

* The artist’s country house from 1965 to 1976.



Seven Foot Knoll -
An underwater hill, its top is a mere seven feet below the surface of the Chesapeake Bay. This knoll is located just outside the Port of Baltimore and so is a navigation hazard. A warning light has been mounted on it. Seven Foot Knoll is the northernmost point at which skipjacks dredge for oysters.


Tidewater --
Another name for the Chesapeake Bay region. It is literally the land below the fall line, meaning that it could be reached by boat from the bay. In the old days, boats knit together the economy of the region and though modernization has changed many things, the region still shares an underlying history and structure due to the Bay.

Terrapin Sand Point
and Okahanikan Cove --
names alone are good.


~Harry Armistead
Previously published in ‘Chesapeake Bay Haiku,’ Audubon Naturalist News, Feb, 2002.


it's almost the sea,
Jellyfish and Loggerheads,
occasional Whales.

~ Harry Armistead, US.
Previously published in ‘Chesapeake Bay Haiku,’ Audubon Naturalist News, Feb, 2002.


Washington, DC --
The capital of the United States is located on the tidal part of the Potomac River and hence is very much a part of the Chesapeake Bay region. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the address of the White House. A family of ducks became local celebrities when they took up residence on the White House lawn.

Behind the fence
at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
the ducks nest.

~ M. Kei, US



.. .. Humanity

boat --
Any small vessel that is not a ship. The Chesapeake Bay is home to numerous traditional, modern, and recreational boats. Traditional boats include the Baltimore clipper, skipjack, crab boat, pilot boat, sailing skiff, bugeye, sailing canoe, and others.


leathering --
the process of cutting, shaping, stitching, and gluing leather parts on a wooden sailboat or skiff. It is done first while the boat is under construction, which may be any time of year, but thereafter will usually be done in the spring (if needed) as part of haul out.

leathering the oars, how
leathered my hands...

~M. Kei


lighthouse --
A necessity for the many points and hazards of Chesapeake navigation. The lighthouses are such an integral part of the scenery that even lighthouses that have been officially retired are kept going as 'courtesy lights' by local non-profit organizations. Many lighthouses are open to the public or can be viewed from chartered boats.
For more info,
http://www.cheslights.org/


museum --
The Chesapeake Bay is rife with museums, ranging from the world-class museums of the Smithsonian Institution to many small and medium-sized museums dedicated to all manner of things, especially local culture and history, from the skipjack Rebecca T. Ruark (oldest skipjack still afloat) to the Fire Museum of Maryland (a major museum dedicated to the history of firefighting) to the Maryland House of Delegates (oldest state house still in use to house a legislature).
Many of the museums and historical sites are both open to the public and continuing at least in part their original function.

“The Washington DC Mall stretches between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument. On either side is a wondrous array of museums. When I was a girl, my mother would give me two car tokens (bus/streetcar tokens) and a sack lunch and turn me loose to spend the day in the museums of my choice.”~ Susan Delphine Delaney, US

museum case
the bones
of a cavalry camel

~ Susan Delphine Delaney, US



roadside crosses --
It has become common for mourners to erect handmade crosses on the side of the road to mark the place where the loved one died. These crosses may receive offerings of flowers, balloons, and items special to the deceased at various times of year. In some areas there are many of them, one fifteen mile stretch of Rt. 40 in Cecil County has eight or more.

counting memorials on
the side of the road--
highway of misery


~M. Kei


.. .. Observances


.. .. Animals

Heron, great blue heron (Ardea herodias) --
Widespread in North America, great blue herons stand up to four feet tall with wingspans up to seven feet. They nest in trees and bushes that stand near protected waters. Herons principally eat fish, but they supplement their diet with snakes, birds, crabs, dragonflies, frogs, grasshoppers, and similiar creatures. Although they are solitary when hunting, they nest together in colonies, which in the Chesapeake are called ‘rookeries.’ Their eggs and young are preyed on by raccoons and other birds. They will abandon a rookery if a member of the community was killed there. The Chesapeake Bay is an extremely important habitat, about half of all Atlantic herons overwinter here.

A Great Blue Heron

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Ardea_herodiasPCCA20060128-2118B.jpg



.. .. Plants



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COPYRIGHT:

All poems copyright by the authors and used with permission. All images, unless specified otherwise, are courtesy of the WikiCommons projectand are posted in accordance with the licensing agreement(s) accompanying each image on that site.


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Chesapeake Bay Saijiki: Spring

Chesapeake Bay Saijiki: Summer

Chesapeake Bay Saijiki: Autumn

Chesapeake Bay Saijiki: Winter

Chesapeake Bay Saijiki: Non-seasonal topics, miscellaneous


. BACK TO .. .. .. Chesapeake Bay, USA .



[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
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Chesapeake WINTER

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
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.. .. .. .. The Chesapeake Saijiki – WINTER

The Chesapeake Bay is on the East Coast of North America.

Please read the general introduction here.

Please add your kigo and information.

M. Kei, April 2006
Editor of the Chesapeake Bay Saijiki

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Collection of Seasonal Words




.. .. .. WINTER

.. .. Season

cold --

winter day --

winter night --

winter solstice --
World Kigo Database: Winter solstice (tooji)


.. .. Heaven

deep snow --
It rarely snows in the Chesapeake Bay region, but when it does, it dumps a deep snow. These snows usually occur late in the season and may range from eight to twelve inches up to thirty inches. Owls are usually a summer topic when outdoor lifestyles permit people to encounter them more readily.

World Kigo Database : Snow

last night a deep snow
on a porch rail this morning
two owls side by side


~ Denis Garrison, US
Previously published in Haiku Harvest and Eight Shades of Blue, Lulu Press, 2005.


drizzle --
The infamous winter drizzle. It rarely snows here. It rains, sleets, drizzles, and drips.

World Kigo Database: Rain in various kigo

December drizzle --
even the weeds turn purple
with the cold.

~M. Kei, US


thunder snow, thundersnow --
The unique topography and meteorology of the region sometimes combined to produce ‘thunder snow’, the Weather Service’s name for snowstorms that include thunder and lightning.


thundersnow
a couple dance
the blues away


Alan Summers
Hull, Yorkshire, England, December 2010


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winter moon --
Although the winter moon may not be as large and bright as other moons, when it can be seen through the naked branches it is particularly effective, and even more so when it becomes our companion on a long trip.

MOON as a KIGO

“For half of the year, thick foliage hides the houses in the Virginia woods. It gives such a pleasure, therefore, to see the lighted windows among the leafless boughs, although of course it has been expected. On one such evening, in the distance, I saw a single light slowly moving up… and up…”
~ Tei Matsushita


lights in the woods…
one inching upward
--the yellow moon

~ Tei Matsushita, US
Previously published in Matsushita: a fusion of painting and poetry , 2003.

http://www.matsushita.com/_en/collections/ryoshu/lights_in_the_woods.htm



winter rain --
While rain can fall at any time of year, in the Tidewater region the weather is usually not cold enough for snow. Therefore we get cold, hard, chilly, gray, unpleasant rains during the winter. The winter rains are essential to replenish the reservoirs and groundwater for the coming year. Without it, the spring will be dangerously dry, damaging to crops, and with great risk of wildfires.

World Kigo Database: Rain in various kigo


winter sun --



.. .. Earth and Sea

.. .. Humanity

Fireplace fires/chimney smoke --
In Maryland, winters are moderated by the Chesapeake Bay; nevertheless, there are some weeks of bitter cold (by local standards) and many homes are furnished with working fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, etc., to supplement heating. So, in Maryland, chimney smoke is a sign that someone has felt the chill of winter deeply enough to fire up their stove or fireplace. See also boat-tailed grackles, Summer.

chimney smoke
caught by the wind
endless flock of grackles


~Denis Garrison
Previously published in Haiku Harvest and Eight Shades of Blue, Lulu Press, 2005


lack of tourists --
During the winter, tourists are few and far between, parking is plentiful, and the ducks and geese and other forms of wildlife ignore the humans as they know the locals won’t feed them.

Winter,
the tourists have all gone,
but the herons remain

~ M. Kei, US
Previously published in ‘Wandering the County,’ Runner-Up, Lighthouse Poetry Contest, 2006.



Martha Lewis --
Youngest skipjack built for oyster-dredging and still in operation. Martha was built in 1955, the last year anyone thought a skipjack could make a living. Now operated by the non-profit Chesapeake Heritage Conservancy and still oystering. Also takes charters.
For more info on Skipjack Martha Lewis:
http://www.skipjackmarthalewis.org

Aboard the Martha Lewis,
with a sky half sun and half storm,
we race for flat water.

~M. Kei, US
M. Kei is a crewman aboard the Martha Lewis.



Rebecca T. Ruark --
Oldest skipjack still sailing, oldest United States Coast Guard certified vessel still in operation, Rebecca was built 1884. No longer oystering, she is now a charter vessel.
For more info,
http://www.skipjack.org/


skipjack --
Skipjacks are the official Maryland State Boat. Skipjacks are a traditional wooden sailboats used for dredging for oysters. Skipjacks are muscular sloops distinguished by their wooden hulls and masts and very large sails. The Chesapeake Bay skipjacks are the last fleet of commercial sail still working at their original purpose. Since they dredge only in the winter months, November - March, ‘skipjack’ is a winter kigo.

These days few skipjacks are left and they must support themselves with summer charters and educational programs so they can be seen in any season, but they are indelibly associated with winter oystering. In 2002, the skipjack fleet was named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of http://www.nationaltrust.org/news/docs/20020606_skipjacks.html America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

oysters in my bed
boats above me
watch out, the dredge!


~Amora Johnson, US


Nothing colder--
skipjacks dredging
for oysters


~M. Kei, US


slack time --
Winter, or any other time when boating is not feasible.

I'll wash it ashore.
slack time is for maintenance.
distant islands wait.


~Harry Armistead, US
Previously published in ‘Chesapeake Bay Haiku,’ Audubon Naturalist News, Feb, 2002.

.. .. Observances

Babe Ruth’s Birthday --
George Herman Ruth, Jr, better known as Babe Ruth, the Sultan of Swat, was born in Baltimore on February 6, 1895. The Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum is open to the public and offers events.
For more info,
http://www.baberuthmuseum.com/


Christmas --
World Kigo Database: Christmas



Edgar Allen Poe’s Birthday --
Edgar Allen Poe’s birthday is January 19, and is observed at his home and grave. The Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore.
http://www.eapoe.org/index.htm


Wedding jams-- (Late winter)
Cecil County in the Chesapeake Country was once home to numerous wedding chapels. People from all over the East Coast would run away to the ‘Greta Green of the East Coast’ to get married. While few wedding chapels are left in business, Valentine’s Day still brings hordes of couples to be married.
No one should attempt to drive Main Street in Elkton, MD, around Valentine’s Day as the one lane wide street will be choked with traffic jams of limousines for wedding parties. Famous people married in Elkton include Babe Ruth and Billy Holiday.
For more information on how to get married in Elkton, http://www.seececil.org/weddings.html

http://www.nationaltrust.org/Magazine/_images/nd02/md-elkton.jpg



.. .. Animals

Canada geese (Branta Canadensis) --
Canada geese overwinter in the Chesapeake Bay in great numbers and are everywhere in the sky, the fields, and waters. Some decide they like it here and won’t go back where they came from. These RP (resident population) Canada geese can be a nuisance.

Canada,
take back your geese!
We have too many!

~M. Kei, US


oyster (Crassostrea virginica) --
The American Oyster, also called the Eastern Oyster and Virginia Oyster, is native to the East Coast of the United States. The Chesapeake Oyster is a subspecies of the American Oyster. It is a hard shellfish, typically 2 - 6 inches in length, growing about one inch a year. It is a filter feeder and peforms an important ecological function in cleaning the Chesapeake Bay.
The oysters have been all but wiped out by pollution, disease, and overharvesting. Skipjacks are no longer economically viable and there is talk of declaring the Chesapeake oyster an endangered species.


snow geese --
Snow geese also over winter. Though not as numerous as the Canada geese, flocks of them can fill fields.
World Kigo Database : Snow Geese


.. .. Plants

holly berries --
American holly (Ilex opaca) is native to the eastern United States, and is especially common in the Mid-Atlantic region. Hollies are dioecious, meaning they have male and female plants and both are necessary for pollination and propagation. Bees are the principle pollinators. Notoriously hard to grow, some ancient hollies were planted in the colonial or early American period and persist to this day, and have given their name to many old mansions and houses. They are evergreen and broadleafed, providing cover to many birds. The red berries persist in winter and are an important supplemental food for birds. They are sold as ornamental plants, especially at Christmas.
World Kigo Database: Holly

A grey day --
even the holly berries
are dark.

~M. Kei, US


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Americanholly_8046.JPG


Christmas trees --
While most Christmas trees are cut elsewhere and shipped to the region, numerous small Christmas tree farms dot the area and often provide the opportunity for customers to cut their own Christmas tree.
World Kigo Database: Christmas Tree




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COPYRIGHT:

All poems copyright by the authors and used with permission. All images, unless specified otherwise, are courtesy of the WikiCommons projectand are posted in accordance with the licensing agreement(s) accompanying each image on that site.


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Chesapeake Bay Saijiki: Spring

Chesapeake Bay Saijiki: Summer

Chesapeake Bay Saijiki: Autumn

Chesapeake Bay Saijiki: Winter

Chesapeake Bay Saijiki: Non-seasonal topics, miscellaneous


. BACK TO .. .. .. Chesapeake Bay, USA .



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