#263 Calligraphy on a Waka by Fujiwara Yoshitsune
| Size: | approx. 136 × 35 cm |
|---|---|
| Format: | Framed |
The Poem
| Waka/Haiku: | Isari bi no, mukashi no hikari, hono mie te, ashiya no sato ni, tobu hotaru kana |
|---|---|
| Poet: | Fujiwara Yoshitsune |
| In: | before 1205 |
A humble reading of the poem:
In the village of Ashiya, fireflies drift through the night,
as if carrying the faint memory of ancient fishing lights.
Fireflies Carrying the Memory of Ancient Lights
This work is based on a waka poem by Fujiwara Yoshitsune, included in the Shin Kokin Wakashū, one of Japan’s greatest classical poetry anthologies.
The poem is deeply connected to The Tales of Ise, a masterpiece of classical Japanese literature. In the story, Ariwara no Narihira visits the coastal area of Ashiya and sees the lights of fishermen’s fires glowing in the darkness. Centuries later, Yoshitsune looks upon the fireflies of the same place and imagines that the old lights of the past have quietly returned.
The fireflies are not only a scene from nature. They become a symbol of memory — a delicate connection between the present moment and a distant past.
Through this calligraphy, I sought to express the quiet beauty of that moment: the boundary between reality and imagination, the passage of time, and the gentle light that remains even after centuries have passed.
The flowing brush lines and carefully preserved space allow the poem to breathe, bringing the atmosphere of classical Japanese poetry into a contemporary living space.
Materials & Presentation
Materials: Calligraphy paper and 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.
（本画像はGoogleの生成ツールを用いて制作しています。）
Ink holds the seasons long after they have passed.
