About this Waka (Poem)

Idle Thoughts

This time, I inscribed the haiku onto a postcard whose fan-shaped section had been cut out. The rich, chic brown background makes the fan-shape stand out beautifully, a very appealing design yet:

• the fan-shape is laid at a diagonal, and
• the fan overflows beyond the postcard, meaning it could not be written across in full

Thus, it was a somewhat “quirky” design, frankly, it looked difficult to write on. Perhaps for this reason, while other postcards sold well and ran low, this one remained in stock, clearly unpopular.

Nevertheless, guided by a hunch that “though difficult, this could become a special piece,” I acquired it and pondered many layout ideas. Yet as soon as my brush touched it, the verse surprisingly settled into the shape of its own accord.

Writing on such a limited “vessel” as a cut-out fan,
the stillness of the poem seemed to be drawn inward, as if absorbed into a bowl-like hollow;
though only a small scrap of paper, it gave me the pleasure of containing the vastness of winter in miniature.

The work is available for purchase here.

μはがき作品｜雪の深さ / Depth of Snow – Japanese Calligraphy Art | totKnow - ととのう - powered by BASE

いくたびも雪の深さを尋ねけり正岡子規（意訳：何度も何度も雪がどれくらい降ったのか...

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What kind of verse?

brief comment

This haiku is paired with a charming image—almost as if tiny medaka fish were gathered, chatting together.

As the summer heat continues, I hope it brings you a little feeling of coolness.

You can purchase this postcard artwork online.

μはがき作品｜水中のささやき / Whisper in Water – Japanese Calligraphy Art | totKnow - ととのう - powered by BASE

めだかが水の中で語り合うような、涼しげな絵ハガキに、正岡子規の俳句「夏川や 水の...

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What kind of verse?

brief comment

This haiku is said to have been written by Issa while he was living in a nagaya, a row-house tenement in Edo (present-day Tokyo). You can really feel how tightly packed the buildings must have been.

You can purchase this postcard artwork online.

μはがき作品｜涼風の曲がりくねって / Summer Breeze – Japanese Calligraphy Art | totKnow - ととのう - powered by BASE

鮮やかな赤い金魚のイラストに、小林一茶の俳句「涼風の曲がりくねってきたりけり」を...

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As the end of the year approaches, calligraphers begin the traditional process of making New Year’s cards. This year, I decided to change things up a bit and incorporate watercolor paintings.

I also created postcard-sized calligraphy pieces. I’d like to introduce some of my favorites from among the works I’ve drawn and written.

1. Towards the Light, Towards the Light

This is a passage from a children’s song by Misuzu Kaneko. I was searching for a phrase that would suit the scene of this painting, where light shines through the dark winter sky, when I came across this perfect poem.

Misuzu’s words are simple yet powerful. I put strength and hope into this piece to convey the ability to move forward in search of light no matter what the situation.

μ-はがき作品《明るい方へ》【限定2作】 | totKnow - ととのう - powered by BASE

手描きの絵に金子みすゞの童謡「明るい方へ　明るい方へ」を添えました。一筆ひと筆、...

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2. Bad excuses are worse than none.

This famous quote is from Thomas Fuller. I happened to draw a lip-like pattern, so I searched for a phrase that would fit it and added this quote.

Although he was a 17th century theologian, his words still resonate with us today. It makes me realize that the essence of human beings remains the same even after 400 years.

3. Excited for this year’s version of you!

This is a New Year’s card I created for my calligraphy class students.

I wanted to give students the opportunity to have fun by freely writing particles such as “wa,” “ga,” “mo,” and “ni” in the “○” part. I personally put in “ni” because I felt excited about the students’ growth. I am looking forward to seeing their creative ideas!

What kind of verse?

This passage evokes a powerful image of a soldier’s lament, mixing moments of beauty and fleeting joy with the somber realization of the risks of war.

brief comment

Speaking of grapes, the “Liangzhou Poem” probably comes to mind, something familiar from classical Chinese lessons of Japanese high school, doesn’t it?

When I first encountered this poem in high school, I was captivated by the beauty of the scene it depicted, as well as the underlying sense of emptiness. The exotic atmosphere conveyed by ‘grape wine,’ ‘luminous cup,’ and ‘lute’; the endless desert stretching westward; and the profound loneliness of the soldiers cast out beyond the Jade Gate Pass…

In creating this calligraphy piece, I focused solely on the beautiful imagery of the first half, rendering it in contemporary Japanese. By deliberately concealing the second half, I aimed to highlight the true essence of the poem. I wonder how effective this approach turned out to be.

μ-はがき作品《涼州詩》【限定1作】 | totKnow - ととのう - powered by BASE

秋の終わりを思わせるぶどうの絵はがきに、書作家による情緒あふれる文字を添えて。一...

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What kind of verse?

This waka poem, “Refugees’ Headbands,” is filled with the determination of refugees in difficult circumstances to live strong lives, without losing hope or energy, even in harsh conditions.

brief comment

What is “Ghost of Tsushima”?

Have you heard of the game “Ghost of Tsushima”?

This open-world game is set in Tsushima, the Japanese territory closest to the Korean Peninsula during the Mongol invasions in 1274. With beautiful graphics that rival any movie and a realistic historical perspective, it’s hard not to empathize with the people of Tsushima, who are being overrun by Mongol soldiers.

The PC version, which was released in May this year, has a higher frame rate than the previous PlayStation version, making the game feel more immersive.

Well, the main character of this game, Jin Sakai, is one of the few samurai who survived the Mongol invasion. He tries to defend Tsushima in a way that is different from the traditional samurai strategy known as “honor.” It was a desperate measure to fight against the Mongol army in the face of a lack of resources, both manpower and materials.

The origins of this poem

In order to obtain items that will make him stronger, he composes several waka poems. The waka poem in this work is one of them.

After the topic and the first 5 characters of the poem are presented, the player can choose next words from three options. There will probably be 27 different waka poems completed. Each player will create a waka poem that reflects their own feelings.

Post-Sequel

I couldn’t write it as I wanted and had to rewrite it several times.

The chronological order is: Opus 1 ⇒ Opus 2 ⇒ Opus 3.

In Op.1, I wrote as I wanted, using variant kana, without being conscious of the fact that it was “readable. Even now, I think this is the closest expression to the world of the game.

I wrote Op. 2 with an awareness of the fact that it should be “readable. I did not use irregular kana and avoided expressions that were difficult to read.

However, I was somewhat unsatisfied with it, and thought about various ways of expression. As a result, I came up with Opus 3. I wrote the upper and lower clauses in two separate paragraphs, which I think improved the readability of the piece. I also emphasized “Be strong” to appeal to the main character’s feelings. However, I think it may have been a little too fluent.

Which one is your favorite?

What kind of verse?

This haiku’s image may be,

When I went to the well to get water in early morning, I found morning glories wrapped around the vines and blooming. I couldn’t bear to harm such morning glories, so I went to get water elsewhere.

The haiku reflects themes of nature’s beauty and the gentle interdependence of human life.

brief comment

I have inscribed the same haiku on three different types of traditional Japanese paper (ryoshi). Each piece of paper is meticulously decorated with genuine gold and silver leaf, creating a truly elaborate work of art. I wonder if the depth of the ink’s color and the solemn atmosphere conveyed on the authentic ryoshi can be appreciated.

What kind of verse?

This haiku evokes a sense of impermanence and the fleeting nature of our presence in the world, beautifully capturing the moment when even our footprints on the shore are erased by the returning waves.

brief comment

As I was searching for what to write on this postcard adorned with orchid flowers, I chose this haiku. The scattered orchid flowers, forming a gentle arc, began to resemble footprints left on the sandy shore.

What kind of verse?

This well known verse describes early summer events by all five human senses: sight, hearing, taste and even smell and touch perhaps.

brief comment

Did you notice that the ink color is not all black?

Yes, sumi-ink can change the color deep black to transparent color by continuing to write.

I wanted to convey this haiku in a truly distinctive manner, capturing the vibrant essence of the verdant mountains adorned with youthful foliage and the delightful freshness of the season’s first bonito. With its charmingly rhythmic wordplay, I felt compelled to infuse it with a touch of uniqueness.

Hence, I opted for a mountain-shaped paper delicately embellished with shimmering silver foil. Envisioning the delightful harmony between inked lines and graceful adornments, I harbored high hopes for crafting an intriguing masterpiece.

Furthermore, I endeavored to elevate the presentation by transcending the mundane square bindings, imbuing it with an artful flair that evokes a sense of visual poetry.

What kind of phrase?

brief comment

I expressed in this work beautifully encapsulates a poignant interplay between the exuberant beauty of spring and the subtle undercurrents of melancholy or ennui.

It delicately portrays the intricate tapestry of human emotions amidst nature’s vibrant transformations. Displaying such an evocative piece of art serves as a gentle nudge to embrace the multifaceted nature of our feelings, even during moments typically steeped in joy and renewal.

It beckons viewers to pause, reflect, and empathize with the nuanced emotions captured within its frame, fostering a deeper connection to both oneself and the world around us.

μ-はがき作品《猫しだれ桜》【限定2作】 | totKnow - ととのう - powered by BASE

可愛らしい猫がしだれ桜を見上げている絵はがきに、書作家による情緒あふれる文字を添...

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