Issa 7

the stoicism and almost heroic tolerance of the japanese people in face of the tragic aftermath of earthquake and tsunami in NE japan is indeed admirable.

when i asked of my sensei siragiku how he is doing, he said,

"大丈夫だよ。

日本の庶民は優秀です。逆境にも強い。私も庶民の一人です。"

(don't worry. the common people in japan are excellent people, especially in face of adversity. i am one of those commoners.)

as i continue to follow the news on how the people are taking the test, i have to agree with him.

see this news on BBC to understand their strength. it was such spirit that lifted them out of the WWII's crisis.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-…

with this in mind, i recommend two haiku by kobayashi Issa that exemplifies this spirit of the japanese commoners:




いうぜんとして山を見る蛙かな
_{iuzen to shite yama wo miru kawazu kana}
serenely,
gazing up at the mountain-
a toad.

issa noticed the kind of serenity the puny toad exhibits in face of the enormous obstacle.




蝸牛そろそろのぼれ富士の山
_{katatsumuri sorosoro nobore fuji no yama}
O snail,
climb Mount Fuji,
but slowly, slowly.

so will the people of japan recover from the present crisis, slowly but surely.

the english translation and paintings are obtained from haiku books published by the british museum. i enjoyed the collection immensely.



the clubs i joined:


my default account where i post my visual art

my art projects:
project Resonance
project Rendevous
The Law for the Wolves
the 5th season
Journey
project KARUTA 2007
KARUTA cards available for sale
Ink Fragrance
Snow in Singapore