Spring Awakening

芽生え

Mebae

By the roadside, footpaths and in gardens, precious, petit leaves are starting to sprout from the trees and shrubs. Bulbous species, too, are sprouting up form the earth. This mei refers to these treasures of nature. A mei filled with a sense of hope.

Image: @minenomatsu

Spring Youth Verdure 

若葉の緑

Wakaba no midori

This poetic name sounds especially beautiful in its original seven syllable Japanese form. The English translation also contains five syllables making it convenient for use in waka/tanka poetry. This poetic name beautifully elucidates the vibrant colour and aura of young foliage. 

Image: @minenomatsu

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」

Catching fireflies

蛍狩

Hotarugari

The pastime of catching, or watching the flickering lights of fireflies on summer nights.

Image: @minenomatsu

Cool Respite

涼一味 

Ryōichimi

Ryōichimi is a word that expresses the feeling of cool with the five senses and the desire to create a cool environment for guests during the hot summer months. In the Nanbō Roku, a text that records Rikyū’s key teachings, are the words: ‘Create a feeling of cool in summer, a feeling of warm in winter’. The tearoom in the middle of summer is a place to pursue ryōichimi for the five senses, a place to offer your guests a sanctuary of cool away from the heat. 

Reference: 'Chanoyu Kisetsu no Kotoba'

Tankosha Publishing

Image: @adamsomu

Welcomed Rain

喜雨

Kiu

After a long period of hot weather when our surrounds have become dry and withered, after long last we are blessed with good rainfall. This is 'Kiu'.　喜 Ki ＝happines, joy 雨 u = rainfall. Reference: 'Chanoyu Kisetsu no Kotoba' Tankosha Publishing

Image: @minenomatsu

Infinite Forest 

青千樹

Aosenju

One comes to a viewpoint on a mountain climb. Suddenly, as far as the eye can see, a sea of green trees unfolds -a bout to hit their peak in mid-summer. So vast, green and full, it's as if one catches a glimpse of nothingness.

A summer variation of the original Zen phrase 'Ginsenju' (Thousand Silver Trees), located in the Mid Winter section. 

Image: @minenomatsu

Shimmering Autumn Air

秋麗ら 

Aki-urara

On a fine day in autumn, the air is fresh but golden sunlight warms the earth, creating diffraction above the surface of wild-grass. This shimmering air, quivering in delight from the warm heath reaching up into the cool atmosphere, is called ‘aki-urara’. 

Image: @minenomatsu

My Companion the Moon

月の友

Tsuki no Tomo

Tsuki no Tomo

Strolling upriver,

Meandering downriver,

My companion the moon

川上と / Kawakami to

この川下や / Kono kawashimo ya

月の友 / Tsuki no tomo

- Bashō

Image: @minenomatsu

North Wind 

木枯らし

Kogarashi

Towards the end of Autumn, piercing winds blow from the North. These winds cripple the last of the Autumn leaves. When the winds visit again days later, the strong gusts sweep the last autumn leaves from their trees. Seeing this gives us an opportunity to reflect on impermanence (mujyō).

Bashō use Kogarashi in following poem:

木枯に / kogarashi ni

岩吹きとがる / iwa fukitogaru

杉間かな / sugima kana

North winds blow

the rocks sharpened

among the cedars

Image: @minenomatsu

Frost-bitten Leaves

霜枯

Shimogare

In late autumn when a frost turns leaves black, the black withered leaves are referred to as ‘shimogare’.

Image: @minenomatsu

Crystal Butterfly

凍蝶

Itechō

凍(ite) = ice 蝶(cho) = butterfly

Picture a winter butterfly, perched stiff on a tree branch like an icicle too cold to fly. This is 'itechō'.

Image: @minenomatsu

Morning Snow

朝雪

Asayuki

Asa = morning, yuki = snow. Asayuki is the scene of fresh snow laying in the morning.

Asayuki (Kesa no Yuki) is used in the following Bashō poem:

黒森を/ kuromori-o 

なにといふとも / nani to iu tomo

今朝の雪 / kesa no yuki

Black Forest:

Now how should we name you?

In the morning snow

Image: @minenomatsu