#217 Until the year ends,…
| Size： | about 33×24 cm |
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| Dressing： | framed |
What kind of verse?
| verse: | Toshi no uchi ha, tofu hito sara ni, ara ji kashi, yuki mo yamadi mo, fukaki shumika wo |
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| (imho): | Until the year ends, no one will come to visit— this deep mountain dwelling, buried in snow, the paths too treacherous to traverse. |
| poet: | Saigyo |
| in: | 12th century |
brief comment
This poem was composed by Saigyō during his time in a snowbound mountain village, surrounded by the profound silence brought about by the absence of visitors. Although he chose solitude for himself, the poem subtly reveals a yearning for human connection.
For this piece, I selected paper adorned with branches of nandina. Known as a symbol of good fortune due to the wordplay “nanten” (which can mean “to overcome difficulties”), nandina’s red berries evoke a sense of warmth and hope even amidst the harshness of winter. I feel this resonates with the quiet warmth hidden within the loneliness conveyed in Saigyō’s waka.
In my brushwork, I aimed to express both the stillness of the snowy mountain and the subtle stirring of emotions as one thinks of others. At the same time, I sought to create an overall sense of calm and harmony.
I hope this piece allows you to feel both the chill of winter and the warmth that lies hidden within it.