#261 Kana Calligraphy on a Waka
| Size: | approx. 33 × 24 cm |
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| Format: | Framed |
The Poem
| Waka/Haiku: | Umi no koe, sora ni mayohe ri, haru no hi no, sono koe no naka ni, siratori no uku |
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| Poet: | Wakayama, Bokusui |
| In: | 1908 |
A humble reading of the poem:
The voice of the sea wanders into the sky;
on a gentle spring day,
a white swan floats
within that sound.
Poetic Image
The sound of the sea drifts upward, as if dissolving into the sky. On a tranquil spring day, a white swan floats quietly within that vast resonance.
This poem captures a scene of remarkable simplicity: the boundless blue of sea and sky, and a single white bird suspended between them. The contrast between the immense landscape and the delicate presence of life creates a quiet beauty that feels distinctly Bokusui.
Rather than emphasizing drama or emotion, the poem invites us into a moment of stillness. The sea, the sky, and the swan exist in quiet harmony, leaving a lingering sense of openness and calm.
Reflections
The poem featured in this work was written by Wakayama Bokusui, one of the most celebrated tanka poets of modern Japan, known for his deep love of travel, nature, and sake.
It appears in Umi no Koe (Voices of the Sea), Bokusui’s first collection of poetry, self-published when he was only twenty-four years old. The poem is believed to belong to a group of works inspired by the coast of Awa, in present-day Chiba Prefecture, and reflects the fresh sensitivity that characterized his early years.
The image is simple: sea, sky, sound, and a solitary swan. Yet within that simplicity lies a spaciousness that continues to resonate long after the poem is read.
About This Work
This piece was written with a soft white brush.
Its gentle, flowing lines echo the calm expansiveness of sea and sky on a spring day.
Materials & Presentation
Materials: Kana calligraphy paper and hand-ground sumi ink
The delicate texture of the paper and the depth of the ink create a subtle sense of atmosphere and quiet resonance.
Framing: Custom-mounted and presented in a high-quality acrylic frame
Each work is carefully prepared to suit the character of the calligraphy. Designed to harmonize with contemporary interiors, it brings a sense of balance, refinement, and calm to the surrounding space.
(Created using Google generative tools under the direction of Gallery μ.)
Ink holds the seasons long after they have passed.
