#238 How many nights has the guardian of the Suma barrier been awakened…
| Size： | approx. 37 × 25 cm |
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| Dressing： | framed |
What kind of verse?
| verse: | Awajishima kayo-u chidori no naku koe ni ikuyo nezamenu Suma no sekimori |
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| (imho): | How many nights has the guardian of the Suma barrier been awakened by the cries of plovers coming across from Awaji Island? |
| poet: | Minamoto no Kanemasa |
| in: | 12th century |
In The Tale of Genji, there is a scene where Hikaru Genji, when exiled to Suma, hears the sound of plovers in the night and expresses his loneliness in a poem. This poem by Kanemasa is thought to be something of an homage to that literary tradition.
FYI, Suma faces Awaji Island, with the Seto Inland Sea lying between them.
Kana Calligraphy Piece: Kayo-u Chidori
This kana-script artwork displays the scene of plovers crossing over the sea. The flowing kana script and silver-sand accents evoke the movement of the birds and the moonlit shore.
If you’re interested, feel free to contact us.