. . . Utamakura Place Names

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Utamakura, place names used in Poetry

"Poetry Pillow words" utamakura　歌枕, refers to place names used in Japanese poetry, where a kind of code with a special meaning, mood, expressing a season season or other reference to history is implied.
Just mentioning YOSHINO will give the reader all the background of the Cherry Blossoms and Yoshitsune.


They are similar to "makura kotoba" 枕詞, 枕言葉, "pillow words", normal words used as codes to bring out a mood or mental scene for the reader.

We also have "kakekotoba"　掛詞", a kind of pun word that have more than one meaning and may add a funny or serious twist to a poem.
Often wrongly translated as "pivot word", see below.


haimakura, hai-makura 俳枕　haikai poetic places
Often situated in rural parts of Japan, where haikai poets lived a free life.
They are not part of the classical canon of Waka Utamakura, but became quite popular with the growing number of haikai poets.


In the footsteps of Matsuo Basho
. Poetic travelling .


Bashō’s Oku no Hosomichi - Utamakura: Storied Places
extensive resource by
source : Dennis Kawaharada



. WKD : Places visited by Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 .


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Utamakura, Allusion, and Intertextuality
in Traditional Japanese Poetry
Edward Kamens
Yale University Press



A central feature of traditional Japanese poetry (waka) is the use of utamakura— a category of poetic words, many of which are place-names or the names of features associated with them—to cultivate allusion and intertextuality between individual poems and within the tradition. In this book Edward Kamens analyzes a wide selection of poems to show how utamakura came to wield special powers within Japanese poetry. He reveals how poets in generation after generation returned, either in person or in imagination, to these places and to poems about them to encounter again the forms, styles, and techniques of their forebears, and to discover ways to create new poems of their own.

Kamens focuses especially on one figure, "the buried tree," which refers to fossilized wood associated in particular with an utamakura site, the Natori River, and is mentioned in poems that first appear in anthologies in the early tenth century. The figure surfaces again at many points in the history of traditional Japanese poetry, as do the buried trees themselves in the shallow waters that otherwise conceal them. After explaining and discussing the literary history of the concept of utamakura, Kamens traces the allusive and intertextual development of the figure of the buried tree and the use of the place-name Natorigawa in waka poetry through the late nineteenth century.

He investigates the relation between utamakura and the collecting of fetishes and curios associated with utamakura sites by waka connoisseurs. And he analyzes in detail the use of utamakura and their pictorial representations in a political and religious program in an architectural setting—the Saishoshitennoin program of 1207.
©　yalepress.yale.edu



. Waka poetry and Buddhism 　和歌と仏教 .
bussokusekika 仏足石歌 "Buddha footprint poem"

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quote
by Haruo Shirane

Famous places (meisho 名所)
in Japanese poetry have a function similar to the seasonal word. Each famous place in Japanese poetry had a core of poetic associations on which the poet was obliged to compose.

These famous poetic places provided an opportunity to commune across time with earlier poets. Like seasonal words, famous places functioned as a direct pipeline to the communal poetic body. By contrast, there are very few, if any places, in North America that have a core of established poetic associations of the kind found in famous places in Japan. And accordingly there are relatively few English haiku on noted places.

MORE

. Beyond the Haiku Moment : Haruo Shirane


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quote
Utamakura (literally "poem pillow") is a rhetorical concept in Japanese poetry.

Utamakura is a category of poetic words, often involving place names, that allow for greater allusions and intertextuality across Japanese poems.

Utamakura includes locations familiar to the court of ancient Japan, such as
particularly sacred Shinto and Buddhist sites,
places where historic events occurred, and
places that trigger a separate mental association through a pun.

Aesthetic Function
Utamakura serve as a significant tool to achieve yugen (mystery and depth) in Japanese poetry by adding profundity and indirect beauty in poems. Also, it can be used as a source for identifying significant figures and places in ancient Japan. Utamakura enables poets to express ideas and themes concisely and thus allowing them to stay within the confines of strict waka structures.

Some scholars see the use of geographical allusion as the evidence for a restricted scope of poetry writing. Although the poets' "true" meaning was true because the essence was initially pre-established, the poems were written within fixed topics (daiei). The poet could inhabit a subjective position or persona and write about the topic, but not necessarily about his/her personal feelings. Utamakura could have suppressed poets' individuality or creativity.

History
The history of utamakura is found in documents on the study of poetry such as the Utamakura of Noin, by the poet and monk of the late Heian period, and lists of places in the Utamakura Nayose 『歌枕名寄（うたまくらなよせ）』 (Utamakura reference book).

Utamakura were first used by traveling priests. These priests collected stories from the different towns they traveled to. Since they traveled many places, it was easier to remember the details of a story by using a single, consistent reference point for each recurring type of event that occurred in their tales. Over time, the people across the Japan came to identify utamakura place names by the psychological feelings associated with the references made by the wandering priests.

After utamakura place names and people had become well established, eager waka poets went sightseeing to the sites of utamakura. Beyond becoming familiar with the actual scenery of the poems, entering the locale of a poem or story deepened one's understanding of it.

Utamakura was also used in renga, a form of Japanese collaborative poetry that is an ancestor of haiku poetry. In renga, the first phrase should contain a season word (kigo) to each hokku (a verse in the standard renga form of three verses with 5-7-5 syllables), but Matsuo Bashō stated if an Utamakura comes up into a hokku, then no seasonal term must appear to avoid complicating the imagery of the poem.

Utamakura can be described as "descriptive epithets" or "circumlocutions designating geographical sites" in poetry of other languages that conjure a memory, thought,image or association with the place referred to.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


kiryoka 羇旅歌 travel poems, poems about famous places

kikoobun　紀行文 texts about travel, travel books


nakajima　中島 island in a lake, "Island of Eternity"
an auspicious theme for poetry
- in the Shinto "Eternal Land" of Tokoyo no Kuni 常世の国
. Gokuraku　極楽　- The Buddhist Paradise .

From the auspiciuos island it was not far to the in-house versions:

. ikebana 生け花 Auspicious Flower Arrangement .
suhamadai, suhama-dai 州浜台 "beach stand"
standing trays with sandbar patterns

shimadai, shima-dai 島台 "portable island"
stand in the shape of an island


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The Value of Iconic Place Names in Western Haiku
by David Cobb

Because of the general tendency in the West to try to replicate the Japanese use of kigo (season words) our haiku are easily misinterpreted as 'a poetry of nature'.
. . .
uta-makura - places that almost any educated person is likely to know something about and that are definitely iconic
hai-makura - places that are lifted into that aura by their mention in a well-known poem.
...
MORE
. David Cobb .

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Imaginary place names of the Chuang-Tsu - Zhuangzi
Sooshi 荘子

Not-Even Anything Village

Field of Broad-and-Boundless

"What can I do with an old tree?
Why don't you plant it in Not-Even-Anything Village, or the field of Broad-and-Boundless, relax and do nothing by its side, or lie down for a free and easy sleep under it?
Axes will never shorten its life, nothing can ever harm it.
If there's no use for it, how can it come to grief or pain?"
source : Free and Easy Wandering


. Chinese background of Japanese kigo .


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External LINKS

The makurakotoba are commonly found in other languages under the category of “epithet”.
Also read some examples HERE:
Makurakotoba / wikipedia



The Four Seasons in Love: From Kokinshū to Modern Haiku.
Haruo Shirane
source : www.columbia.edu


歌枕とは、
和歌の中によく詠みこまれ、親しまれた名所のことです。
source : utamakura/index.html
Waitinglist. A long ABC index.

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This is a full glossary of all the makurakotoba "pillow words" used in the first 234 poems of the Man'yooshuu. (ManyoShu)

Glossary of Makurakotoba


umoregi　埋もれ木　"buried tree"
the true potential of associations

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Kakekotoba, pun words 掛詞
rhetorical devices used in Japanese poetry 31-syllable, Waka (poetry).
Lit. hanging words. word play, pun. pivot or bridge betweentwo images.

. WKD : The PIVOT in English Language Haiuk


Reference : Kakekotoba Japan


Puns, dajare 駄洒落　ダジャレ, だじゃれ
share-kotoba　しゃれ言葉


. chihayaburu 千早振る the divine in Kumano .

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"the green and cinnabar is good"
This is an old makurakotoba for the old capital of Nara.
. Aoni Yoshi 青丹よし Aoniyoshi

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. Place names of the world - INTRODUCTION and LIST 　　

. . . . .

Here is my LIST of Japanese place names!


... ... ... Translating Place Names
Problems of the translator ...
http://happyhaiku.blogspot.com/2000/07/translating-haiku-forum.html

..... Things Japanese in Haiku
Poets of Japan
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/translatinghaiku/links/WORDS_in_cross_cultu_001145423811/


..... ..... ..... KIGO about Temples and Shrines
Saijiki of Events, Rituals, Festivals and Ceremonies in Japan.
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html

..... ..... Utamakura, place names used in Japanese Poetry
More Background Information
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/05/utamakura.html

. . . . . Allusion used in haiku
Placenames as cultural keywords
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2010/04/allusion.html

- - - - - - - - - -

Adashino Nenbutsu Temple
Temple. 仏野念仏寺. and Otagi Nenbutsu-Ji
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2007/11/adashino-temple-kyoto.html

Akashi 明石, Akashi no ura 明石の浦 Akashi bay - Hyogo prefecture
http://washokufood.blogspot.jp/2008/05/hyogo-prefecture.html

Akitsushima, an old name for Japan
"The Island of the Dragonfly"
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2005/04/dragonfly-tonbo-05.html

Amanohashidate, Ama no Hashidate "Bridge of Heaven"
Kehi no Matsubara, Ikuno plain, Mount Oeyama
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.jp/2005/08/hashidate-festival.html

Ameyoko ... Ameya Yokocho
Shopping street in Ueno, Tokyo
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2008/04/ameyoko.html

Aoniyoshi, aoni yoshi (green and cinnabar are good)
old name for Nara, Heijokyo
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2006/02/kasuga-lantern-festival.html

Arashiyama "storm mountain" - Region in Kyoto
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/03/kaki-persimone.html

Arisoumi, Toyama bay - Coastline
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2008/08/arisoumi-coast.html

Asakayama. in Hiwada Town, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
Mountain. utamakura of the Manyo-shu
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/translatinghaiku/message/2489

Asakusa - Ward in Tokyo
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2005/06/frog-kawazu-kaeru.html

Asakusa Temple and Mt. Fuji
Temple and Asama Shrine. 浅草の富士浅間神社
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2005/01/asakusa-kannon.html

Asama, Mount Asama - Mountain. Asamayama 浅間山
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/04/mount-asama.html

Ashigara Mountain 足柄. and the Kintaro Legend
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/10/ashigara-mountain.html

足利学校 Ashikaga Gakkō, The Ashikaga School

Ashiya town, Kyoshi Memorial Museum
Hyogo Prefecture, near Kobe
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/12/inahata-teiko.html

Aso, Aso san in Kyushu
Mountain. Mount Aso. 阿蘇山
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/12/mount-aso.html

Atagoyama, Mount Atago - Kyoto. also Atago shrine
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2011/10/atago-shrine-kyoto.html



Biwako 琵琶湖 lake Biwa (in Japan and Florida)
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.jp/2007/12/ukimido-lake-biwa.html

Bridge (hashi)
famous bridges of Japan and the world
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/05/bridge-hashi.html

Buildings, tall and famous - from Japan and the World
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/12/buildings-tall-and-famous.html

Bungo imo . taro from Bungo　豊後
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/04/autumn-vegetables.html

Buzenbo (Buzen-boo) shrine hall - mount Hikosan, Fukuoka
http://omamorifromjapan.blogspot.com/2011/10/hikosan-fukuoka.html



Disney Land Tokyo (dizuniirando)
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2008/04/green-week.html

Doomyooji, temple Domyo-Ji - with Hoshi-ii, dried rice
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2008/01/summer-food.html


Echigo Mountains, Echigo yama　 Mountain. 越後山
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2006/11/withering-wind-kogarashi.html

Echigo and the blind women from Echigo
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2008/03/blind-woman.html

Echigo hare (Echigo usagi)
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2006/04/pounding-rice-mochi-tsuki.html


. Edo 江戸 famous places of Edo - LIST .

Edo Castle　－ Edo joo 江戸城
http://traveloguegokuraku.blogspot.com/2007/06/edo-castle.html


Enoshima, Island near Kamakura
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/12/kamakura.html

Ezo 蝦夷 / えぞ Hokkaido (its old name)

Ezo weasel 　蝦夷　(Ezo itachi)
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2006/11/weasel-itachi.html


Fudo Hall, Fudoo Doo　－ 不動堂 Various Temples in Japan
http://fudosama.blogspot.com/2007/06/h-i-k-u.html

Fuji, Mount Fuji thistle 富士アザミ　(fujiazami, fujigoboo)
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2008/07/goboo.html

Fuji, Mount Fuji, Fujiyama, Fujisan Mountain. 富士山,
http://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.com/2007/08/mount-fuji.html

Fukagawa. Basho lived here. Suburb of Tokyo
http://fudosama.blogspot.com/2005/12/fukagawa-fudo-do.html

Fukakusa, famous for clay dolls, Town near Kyoto
http://darumadollmuseum.blogspot.com/2004/11/fushimi-clay-dolls.html

Furusato. One's Hometown, birthplace
Area. ふるさと　故郷、古里　故里　郷土　郷里
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2005/08/homeland-furusato.html

Fushimi (Kyoto) and Yodo　伏見　淀
http://darumadollmuseum.blogspot.jp/2004/11/fushimi-clay-dolls.html

Futo Harbor and diving for pearls
- - - - - external LINK. by Teruo Fujieda
http://haikuroy.blogspot.com/2009/08/diving-for-thepearl-at-fukowe-all-want.html


Gaijin bochi - Yokohama Foreign Cemetery
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2010/05/yokohama-port-festival.html

Gichuuji, Temple Gichu-Ji at Lake Biwa in memory of Matsuo Basho
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2007/12/ukimido-lake-biwa.html

Gifu Hashima and Monk Enku - A stop of the Tokaido Shinkansen
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2010/01/gifu-hashima.html

Gifu uchiwa : round fan from Gifu
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2005/06/fan-oogi-and-uchiwa.html

Ginkakuji - Temple. Ginkaku-Ji 銀閣寺.
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2008/04/higashiyama-culture.html

Gion, Gion Festival, Kyoto
KIGO. with more place names of festival floats
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2010/10/gion-festival.html

Gosho Imperial Palace Kyoto
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/09/gosho-palace-kyoto.html

Graveyard for Haiku Poets : Haijin Bochi
Tatsu-ga-Oka, 竜が丘俳人墓地
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/04/grave-haka.html


Hachinohe, town in Aomori and mackerels WASHOKU
Hachinohe no saba kuroguro to fuyu no umi
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/08/sake-no-hosomichi.html

Hakata and Hakata dolls .Fukuoka, Kyushu
http://darumadollmuseum.blogspot.com/2004/11/hakata-dolls.html

Hakone lizzard (Hakone sanshoouo)
KIGO . Fuji lizzard (Fuji sanshoouo)
http://haikuandhappiness.blogspot.com/2007/06/lizard.html

Hakusan. mugwort from Hakusan (hakusanyomogi)
http://happyhaiku.blogspot.com/2006/09/nogiku.html

Hamakaidoo, Hamakaido, toward Sanriku Kaigan, or in Kishu
Old Beach Road
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/06/tai-sea-bream.html

Harajuku - station in Tokyo
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/03/takahama-kyoshi.html

Hashimoto - and courtesans
town between Kyoto and Osaka
http://darumasan.blogspot.jp/2005/01/daruma-and-courtesans.html

Hayama, beach near Kamakura - 葉山
http://happyhaiku.blogspot.com/2006/08/gomi-and-akuta-and-hayama.html

Heiankyo (Heiankyoo, Heianjoo) - old capital of Kyoto
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2010/07/kyoto-hana-no-miyako.html

Hi no Oka, Hi-no-Oka - Town and Pass. 日ノ岡 , 日の岡
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2008/05/hi-no-oka-pass.html

Hiezan, Mount Hie, Hiesan in Kyoto and temple Enryaku-ji
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2006/04/saicho.html

Higashiyama in Kyoto - Higashiyama Culture 東山文化
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2008/04/higashiyama-culture.html

Hikone, Hikone castle -Shiga prefecture
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2008/05/shiga-prefecture.html

Hiradake, Mount Hira - in Omi, Lake Biwako
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2007/12/ukimido-lake-biwa.html

Hiraizumi, Chuzon-Ji, Konjiki-Do
The Fujiwara clan in Hiraizumi, Iwate
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2010/02/hiraizumi-festivals.html

Hiruzen, Hiruzen Highlands
蒜山 . Okayama prefecture
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2011/02/genghis-khan.html

Hokkaido, Oku-Ezo, Ezo, Ainu-Land
The most Northern Provinces and islands
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.jp/2012/02/hokkaido-island.html

Hokkeji, Hokke-Ji - Temple in Nara
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2010/04/hokkeji-temple-nara.html

Holland (Oranda)
http://europasaijiki.blogspot.jp/2012/10/oranda-holland.html

Hongoo, Hongo, student quarters in Tokyo
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/03/ishida-hakyo.html

Hoo no yama (nori no yama)
Mountain of the Buddhist Law, Kyoto
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2009/12/myo-ho-mountain-kyoto.html

Horyu-Ji, Temple Horyu-Ji Hooryuuji 法隆寺 Nara. Yumedono 夢殿
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2011/02/hooryuuji-temple-horyu-ji.html



Ichimonbashi at Nagaoka, Kyoto - Bridge
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/05/bridge-hashi.html

Ide no Tamagawa - Kyoto
River with Kerria japonica . Yamabuki 　山吹
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.jp/2012/05/yellow-rose-yamabuki.html

Iozaki, Iosaki near Kobe - 五百崎 / 庵崎 /
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.jp/2013/01/iosaki-iozaki.html

Iragozaki, Cape Irago
Cape. 伊良湖崎 Iroogazaki (Irogasaki, Iroogasaki)
http://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.com/2007/03/hawk-taka.html

Irumagawa, River Iruma 入間川 Saitama prefecture
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.jp/2012/12/irumagawa-river.html

Ise (Mie prefecture) Town and famous shrine
http://darumamuseum.blogspot.com/2008/04/edo-toys.html

Ise Jinguu　伊勢神宮 Grand Shrine at Ise, Ise Jingu
Matsuo Basho visiting
http://matsuobasho-wkd.blogspot.jp/2012/06/ise-shrine.html

Ise goyomi . calender from the Shrine of Ise　　伊勢
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2005/06/first-things.html

Ishiyamadera Ishiyama-dera 石山寺
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2007/08/temple-ishiyamadera.html

Ishizuchiyama in Shikoku
Mountain. 石槌山 Ishizuchisan
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/12/tomiyasu-fusei.html

Itsukushima Shrine Miyajima 厳島
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2011/01/itsukushima-shrine-miyajima.html

Iwaki san, Mount Iwaki (Tsugaru Fuji) Mountain in Aomori
http://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.com/2010/05/farmers-work-in-summer.html

Iwakura waterfall and temple Daiun-Ji Kyoto 岩倉大雲寺
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2011/12/iwakura-daiun-ji.html

Izumo　出雲　the great shrine at Izumo / Shimane
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2006/12/izumo-kaido.html



Jindaiji, Temple Jindai-Ji
Mitaka, Tokyo. with Sanskrit letters and Daruma
http://darumamuseum.blogspot.com/2010/02/jindai-ji-temple.html

Kaga 加賀 - Ishikawa　石川 - 加賀友禅 Kaga Yuzen
http://edoflourishing.blogspot.jp/2015/11/edo-yuzen-dyeing.html

Kagurazaka in Tokyo - Area with many restaurants
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/11/akagai-ark-clam.html

Kamakura and Takahama Kyoshi - Town. 鎌倉
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/12/kamakura.html

Kameyama 亀山 "Turtle Mountain" - Kyoto and other regions
http://edoflourishing.blogspot.jp/2013/10/kameyama.html

Kamitsuke, three sacred mountains - Gunma
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2005/04/daruma-memorial-day.html

Kamo Ohashi, Big Bridge over Kamo River
Bridge. 賀茂大橋 (Kamo Oohashi) Kyoto.
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/05/bridge-hashi.html

Kannon-Ji, Kannon Temple - Dazaifu, Kyushu
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2009/10/takano-sujuu.html

Karafuto - Sakhalin Island
http://happyhaiku.blogspot.jp/2004/08/yamaguchi-seishi.html

Karasaki and the Pine of Karasaki
Town at Lake Biwa. One of the eight Omi Hakkei famous landscapes.
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2007/12/ukimido-lake-biwa.html

Karuizawa and Usui Pass - Town near Mount Asama
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2010/06/karuizawa-usui-pass.html

Kasaibashi Bridge in Tokyo - Bridge. 葛西橋 Kasai Bridge
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2009/02/kasai-bridge.html

Kasamori Inari Fox Shrines .Shrines. 笠森稲荷
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2007/10/kasamori-inari.html

Kashima, 鹿島　Kashima shrine,
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2010/03/kashima-shrine.html

Kasuga Shrine, Nara - Shinto Shrine
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2006/02/kasuga-lantern-festival.html

Katada / Katata Town
at Lake Biwa, near Ukimido Hall
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2007/12/ukimido-lake-biwa.html

Katsushika - ward in Tokyo
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2008/01/sumidagawa-river.html

Kawachi no kuni (now near Osaka)
a cotton-producing region in the Edo period
http://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.jp/2009/08/cotton-wata.html

Kawaguchi - Town
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/07/unison-shoowa.html

Kazusa no kuni - modern Chiba prefecture
http://darumamuseum.blogspot.com/2007/04/kazusa-daruma.html

Kehi Jingu, Shrine in Tsuruga　- Main Shrine in the Hokuriku area
http://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.com/2010/06/basho-in-tsuruga.html

Kibune, Kyoto. and wild asters from Kibune (kibunegiku)
http://happyhaiku.blogspot.com/2006/09/nogiku.html

Kisakata (Kisagata) lagoon - Akita
http://haikuandhappiness.blogspot.jp/2011/01/icicles.html

Kisakata and temple Kanman-Ji - Town. (Kisagata)
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/05/oku-no-hosomichi.html

Kiso Kakehashi - plank bridge in Kiso - along the Nakasendo road
http://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.com/2009/10/acebia-akebi.html

Kiso and the river Kisogawa - Nagano
http://traveloguegokuraku.blogspot.jp/2012/05/nakasendo-matsuo-basho.html

Kofuku-Ji, Koofukuji - Kigo. Temple in Nara.
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2011/11/kofukuji-nara.html

Kokubunji, Temple Kokubun-Ji - There are quite a few all over Japan.
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2009/09/kokubunji.html

Konpira shrine in Shikoku - Konpira san, Kompira
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2008/07/konpira-gongen.html

Koyasan, Mount Koya Monastery - Kooyasan in Wakayama
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2004/02/koya-san-in-wakayama.html

Kozan-Ji, Koozanji Temple - Kyoto
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2011/12/kozan-ji-and-saint-myoe.html

Kumano, Road to Kumano (Kumano Kodo) - Town, Shrine, Road
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/05/kumano.html

Kurama mountain, Kyoto - KIGO about the festivals
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2011/02/kurama-festivals.html

Kurihama Kurofune matsuri . Black Ships Festival at Kurihama (and Yokosuka)
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/08/kurofune-monaka.html

Kurokamiyama, Nantaisan at Nikko
Mountain, Mount Kurokami, Mount Kurohime
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.jp/2012/09/sora-kawai-sora.html

Kuromon, Kuro-Mon, Black Gate at temple Kanei-Ji, Ueno, Tokyo
Temple. 黒門 / 寛永寺（かんえいじ）
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2009/07/kanei-ji-temple-and-tenkai.html

Kushiro - in Hokkaido
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2005/06/fallen-leaves-ochiba.html

Kuuyadoo, Kuya-Do . Memorial Hall for Saint Kuya
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2005/04/oume-aome-sumiyoshi-jinja.html

Kyoo uchiwa : round fan from Kyoto
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2005/06/fan-oogi-and-uchiwa.html

Kyoto . . . Hana no Miyako, "Capital of Flowers"
Town. 花の都, (KIGO)
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2010/07/kyoto-hana-no-miyako.html

Kyoto Vegetables (Kyoo yasai) kyoyasai
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2008/07/goboo.html



Mahoroba ... the land of bliss referring to Yamato
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/12/inahata-teiko.html

Matsumae wataru. Crossing over to Matsumae, Hokkaido
KIGO. also "coming back from Matsumae" and "Matsumae sushi"
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2010/08/matsumae.html

Matsuo Basho using Place Names
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .

Matsushima - Island. 松島
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2008/03/matsushima.html

Matsuyama, Matsuyama Castle
Town, Building. Masaoka Shiki ! 松山
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/09/matsuyama-and-masaoka-shiki.html

Mibu Temple and smashing pots (hooraku wari) Mibu Kyogen
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/08/hooroku-jizo.html

Michinoku, area around Mutsu, Iwaki and Iwashiro
in Northern Japan, Tohoku region
http://traveloguegokuraku.blogspot.jp/2012/05/michinoku-kaido.html

Miidera, Mii-dera. Temple Nr. 14 on the Saigoku Pilgrimage
Temple. 三井寺（園城寺）. two KIGO about the stinking bugs
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2007/06/mii-temple.html

Miidera, Temple Mii-dera
Saga prefecture. The deity Kishibojin is venerated here.
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2007/06/mii-temple.html

Mikamisan, the Fuji of Omi
near Biwako
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2007/12/ukimido-lake-biwa.html

Mita in Minato-ku Tokyo - Mita district
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2010/01/kusumoto-kenkichi.html

Mito and Tokugawa Mitsukuni, Mito Komon 水戸黄門
http://darumamuseum.blogspot.com/2008/05/mito-komon.html

Miwa.　三輪 Shrine Omiwa Jinja and Miwayama Mountain - Nara
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/01/miwa-mountain-shrine.html

Miyako Dance, Kyoto Town. 都踊 ( 都をどり)
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2008/04/miyako-dance.html

Mogamigawa, Northern Japan - River. 最上川
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/05/oku-no-hosomichi.html

Mokuboji - Temple in Edo. 木母寺
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2006/10/mokubo-ji-and-umewakamaru.html

Muro, Murotsu in Harima / Hyogo - port town with brothels
http://darumasan.blogspot.jp/2005/01/daruma-and-courtesans.html

Musashino Plain 武蔵野 - Plain in the Kanto area
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.jp/2013/01/musashino-plain.html



Nagaoka river season opening (Nagaoka kawabiraki)
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/05/river-kawa.html

Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament (Nagoya basho)
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.jp/2007/09/wrestling-sumo.html

Nakasendo road
from Edo to Kyoto, through the mountains
http://traveloguegokuraku.blogspot.jp/2012/05/nakasendo-kaido.html


Naniwa Bay (Naniwagata 難波潟) Osaka
http://washokufood.blogspot.jp/2008/05/osaka-no-kui-daore.html

Naniwa Dance (Naniwa odori) Town. Name for Osaka . 浪花踊
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2008/04/naniwa-dance.html

Nankyo Hoozuki ... Southern Kyoto hozuki fish
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2008/09/seafood-summer.html

Nara . . . . . the ancient capital
general introduction with more LINKS
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/07/nara-ancient-capital.html

Nara and its Rice Gruel Tea Song ..
Town and 奈良茶歌　Naracha uta
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2006/05/tea-ceremony-saijiki.html

Nara mosquito net - KIGO
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2006/01/mosquitoes-ka.html

Nara uchiwa : round fan from Nara - KIGO
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2005/06/fan-oogi-and-uchiwa.html

Naraigawa River in Nagano 奈良井川
http://darumamuseum.blogspot.com/2007/07/comb-kushi.html

Natori, close to Kashima
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2010/03/kashima-shrine.html

Nemuro　根室 - in Hokkaido
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2005/06/fallen-leaves-ochiba.html

Nihon, nippon 　日本　Japan
http://edoflourishing.blogspot.jp/2013/10/nihon-japan.html

Nihonbashi, Nihombashi Bridge - In Edo / Tokyo
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2009/12/nihonbashi.html

Nijo-Castle (Nijoo joo) - Tokugawa castle in Kyoto
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/10/nijo-castle.html

Nikko, Nikkoo　－ 日光. (futa ara)　(二荒) .. Fudara
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/05/basho-in-nikko.html

Norikura, Mount Norikura
Mountain range in Gifu and Nagano
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.jp/2007/05/local-japanese-kigo.html

Nozaki Pilgrimage - Temple 野崎参り、野崎まいり、野崎参
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2006/02/nozaki-pilgrimage.html


Obasuteyama, Sarashinayama, Kamurikiyama - Nagano.
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2009/07/sarashinayama-kamurikiyama.html

Ochanomizu, O-Cha no Mizu - Suburb of Tokyo
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2008/07/ochanomizu.html

Oeyama, Mount Ooeyama - Tango, Tanba region
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.jp/2005/08/hashidate-festival.html

Ogura, Mount Ogura - Matsuo Basho
Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Poetry Collection
http://traveloguegokuraku.blogspot.jp/2012/05/ogura-hyakunin-isshu-poems.html

Oki no Shima, Oki Island 隠岐諸島
Sea of Japan, on the way to Korea
http://japanshrinestemples.blogspot.jp/2013/06/shinboku-divine-tree.html

Oku no Hosomichi. Basho
The Small Roads in the North of Japan. 奥の細道
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/05/oku-no-hosomichi.html

Omi mosquito nets 近江
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2006/01/mosquitoes-ka.html

Oojooji Temple Ojo-Ji 往生寺 . Nagano
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.jp/2012/12/ojo-ji-temple.html

Oosaka no seki - Osaka no seki, barrier out of Kyoto
(not the town of Osaka)
http://omamorifromjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/08/osaka-folk-toys.html

Osaka Basho / Sumo Tournament
Town. 大阪場所. Naniwa Basho 浪花場所
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2007/09/wrestling-sumo.html

Osaka, Yodo, O-Yodo (old names) Town.
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/03/genji-monogatari.html

Osaka, and Osaka port - and food from Osaka
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2008/05/osaka-no-kui-daore.html

Otsu and Otsu-e paintings - Town in Omi, near Kyoto
http://fudosama.blogspot.com/2004/11/otsu-e-pictures-from-otsu.html


- Personal names used in Haiku
Introduction. Names of people
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2011/01/personal-names.html

Phoenix Hall (Hoo-Oo Doo 鳳凰堂) Byodo-In in Uji
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.jp/2009/07/phoenix-ho-o.html

Pompei, Ponpei - Italy
http://europasaijiki.blogspot.com/2011/03/pompei.html


Rokuharamitsu ji, Temple Rokuharamitsu-Ji -Kyoto
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2010/10/earthworm-mimizu-and-mole-cricket.html

Ryogoku Bridge : Ryoogoku kawabiraki . opening the season at the Bridge Ryogoku in Edo
KIGO / Fireworks at Ryogoku Bridge
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/05/river-kawa.html


Sabishiro, Sabishiro no Hama
Beach near Mitsuzawa, Aomori
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2009/12/yamaguchi-seison.html

Sado Island alaska pollack (Sadodara)
KIGO. Tara from Sado. Theragra chalcogramma
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2008/09/seafood-winter.html

Sado, Sado Island 佐渡
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.jp/2011/06/ondeko-drummers-sado.html

Saga in Kyoto and spring festivals
Kyoto, Arashiyama Saikyo-ku district.
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2010/01/saga-in-kyoto.html

Saihoji, Saihoo-Ji. "Temple in the Western Direction"
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2009/08/temple-saihoji.html

Saimyoji. Saimyoo-Ji - Temple. Shikoku. 最明寺
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2008/02/temple-saimyo-ji.html

Sakai, Sakai choo in Edo 境町 - with a famous Kabuki theater
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2011/11/sakai-in-edo.html

Seiryooji, Temple Seiryo-Ji in Saga - Shakadoo, Shakado-Hall
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2010/01/saga-in-kyoto.html

Sekigahara 関が原 / 関ケ原 / 関ヶ原 - Battlefield, Gifu
http://edoflourishing.blogspot.jp/2016/03/sekigahara.html

Seta Bridge at Lake Biwa
Seta no Oohashi 瀬田の大橋 / Seta no karahashi 瀬田の唐橋
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/01/seta-shijimi.html

Seto Naikai 瀬戸内海 Seto Inland Sea
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kigohotline/message/3736


Shiga and Otsu (Ootsu) near Kyoto
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/03/kawai-chigetsu.html

Shigaraki - a pottery town
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2011/12/otagaki-rengetsu.html

Shiki-Do in Matsuyama. Shikidoo. in honor of Masaoka Shiki
Building. 子規堂, / temple Shoju-Ji / Shoojuu ji 正宗寺
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/09/matsuyama-and-masaoka-shiki.html

Shikoku Henro, the Pilgrimage of Shikoku
Island of Shikoku. 四国遍路
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2006/04/pilgrimage-henro-05.html

Shimoda Kurofune masturi . Black Ships Festival at Shimoda
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/08/kurofune-monaka.html

Shimogyo, Lower Kyoto
District in Kyoto. 下京区 Shimogyoo. shimokyoo
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2010/07/kyoto-hana-no-miyako.html

Shinanogawa, River Shinano
River. and Shinano Province
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/04/mount-asama.html

Shino and Shino pottery
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2012/02/shino-pottery.html

Shishigatani　valley in Kyoto
Pumpkin of Shishigatani, and Daruma pumpkin
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/09/shishigatani-pumpkin.html

Shishinden - Hall for State Ceremonies
Imperial Palace, Kyoto
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2011/12/shishinden-kyoto.html

Shoshazan 書写山 Mount Shosha - Engyooji 圓教寺 / 円教寺 Engyo-Ji, Himeji
http://gokurakuparadies.blogspot.jp/2013/12/engyo-ji-mount-shosha.html

Shoosooin, Shoso-In. Shosoin, airing of the treasures . KIGO
Treasure house at the Temple Todaiji in Nara.
http://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.com/2009/08/autumn-games-entertainment.html

Shrine names of Japan. - Festival Saijiki.
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html

Suma and Iro no Hama - Beach. 須磨 と　色の浜
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2007/08/suma-and-iro-no-hama.html

Sumadera, Suma-dera - Temple. 須磨寺
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/11/flute-fue.html

Sumidagawa in Tokyo - River. 隅田川, Sumida-gawa
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2008/01/sumidagawa-river.html

Sumiyoshi Taisha and other Sumiyoshi jinja
Osaka. Shrines named Sumiyoshi
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2005/04/oume-aome-sumiyoshi-jinja.html


Tago no Ura Bay - Suruga Bay, Shizuoka.
http://traveloguegokuraku.blogspot.jp/2012/05/tago-no-ura-bay.html

Taki Fudoo, Waterfalls called Fudo Waterfall
http://fudosama.blogspot.com/2004/11/waterfalls-and-fudo-myo-o.html

Tamagawa. six famous Tamagawa rivers
http://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.com/2008/05/white-dew-shiratsuyu.html

Tamamo 玉藻 - Takamatsu in Sanuki, Shikoku
http://matsuobasho-wkd.blogspot.jp/2012/11/oku-station-9-sesshoseki.html

Tatsutagawa, River Tatsuta - a place for red autumn leaves
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2010/03/saho-hime-tatsuta-hime.html

Temple Names of Japan - Festival Saijiki.
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html

Tenryu-jo, Temple Tenryuuji - Kyoto
http://dragondarumamuseum.blogspot.com/2012/01/tenryu-ji.html

Tenryuugawa, river Tenryugawa - 天竜川 Tenryuu-gawa, Tenryu River
http://dragondarumamuseum.blogspot.jp/2011/12/river-tenryugawa.html


Tobadono, Toba-Dono, Toba Palace
鳥羽殿 Toba Imperial Retreat villa, Fushimi, Kyoto- also 城南宮 Jonangu
http://japanshrinestemples.blogspot.jp/2013/07/jonangu-toba-fushimi.html

Toji, Temple Too-Ji in Kyoto (Tooji), "Eastern Temple"
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2008/06/temple-toji.html

Tojinbo cliffs (Toojinboo, Tooshinboo) - Fukui
http://washokufood.blogspot.jp/2008/05/fukui.html

Tokaido, the 53 Stations along the road
From Edo to Kyoto
http://traveloguegokuraku.blogspot.jp/2012/05/tokaido-53-stations.html

Tokoname -a pottery town in Aichi prefecture
http://darumamuseum.blogspot.com/2009/09/tokoname-pottery.html

Tokonoyama, Toko no Yama
Gorge at the river Kisogawa, Mountain in Shiga
http://traveloguegokuraku.blogspot.jp/2012/05/nakasendo-matsuo-basho.html

Toribeno Cemetery Grounds, Kyoto
Temple graveyard. 鳥辺野
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2008/01/toribeno-grounds.html

Tosa (in Shikoku). Inkstones from Tosa
Tosa no umi ni suzuri ishi toru : KIGO
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2008/10/inkstone-suzuri.html

Tosa (old name of Kochi), Shikoku
Tosa Nikki, Tosa Diary of Ki no Tsurayuki
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2009/04/tosa-nikki.html

Toshodaiji.
Temple. Tooshoodai-Ji 唐招提寺
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2006/11/ganjin.html

Toshogu Shrine (Tooshoogu) 東照宮 - at Nikko
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.com/2005/02/toshogu-memorial-shrines.html

Tsugaru in Northern Japan - Peninsula
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2010/01/samekawa-ablutions.html

Tsukuba. Mount Tsukuba
Mountain. 筑波山 Tsukubasan
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2007/06/first-visit-to-tsukuba.html

Tsuruga - Matsuo Basho visits Tsuruga
http://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.com/2010/06/basho-in-tsuruga.html


Ueno, ward in Tokyo
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2008/04/ameyoko.html

Ujigawa - River. 宇治川
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2009/10/torii-gate.html

Ukimido, the Floating Hall at Lake Biwa
Building. 浮御堂 Ukimidoo. Omi Hakkei, Eight Views of Omi Province
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2007/12/ukimido-lake-biwa.html

Unzen Tsutsuji 　Mount Unzen Azaleas,
Kirishima azaleas
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.jp/2005/01/azalea-tsutsuji-satsuki.html

Utsu, Mount Utsu
Mountain. Utsu no yama 宇津の山. Utsuyama 宇津山　
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2008/02/mount-utsu.html

Uzumagawa, River, and the catfish namazu
Tochigi prefecture
http://omamorifromjapan.blogspot.com/2011/08/namazu-catfish.html


Waka no Ura - Beach. 和歌の浦
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/translatinghaiku/message/1051

Wakasa - Town
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2008/08/flounder-karei.html


Yakuru-ji, Yakuriji, Yaguriji
Temple in Shikoku, near Takamatsu. Henro Pilgrimage Temple 85
http://darumadollmuseum.blogspot.com/2004/11/yakuri-daruma.html

Yamadera - Temple. ”Mountain Temple" 山寺
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/04/silence.html

Yamato cricked, Yamato koorogi
KIGO. Insect of autumn
http://worldkigo2005.blogspot.com/2005/09/insects-mushi-05.html

Yamato, Yamato-Aogaki - Province in Nara
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2010/03/yamato.html

Yashima, the battle of Yashima
Mountain. Shikoku
http://fudosama.blogspot.com/2008/05/shikoku-fudo-01.html

Yoshino imo . Taro from Yoshino
KIGO. Plant
http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/04/autumn-vegetables.html

Yoshino, Yoshinoyama 吉野山
mountain famous for cherry blossoms
http://darumapilgrim.blogspot.jp/2005/01/yoshino.html

Yoshinogari, and queen Himiko, Yamataikoku
Saga prefecture, Kyushu
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2009/11/himiko-and-yamatai.html

Yoshiwara, pleasure quarters of Edo
http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/2008/03/yoshiwara-cherry-blossoms.html

Yufuin Hot Spring and Mount Yufudake
Mountain and town, Kyushu, Oita
http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/2009/11/mount-yufudake.html

Yuigahama beach at Kamakura - "beach at Yui"
http://wkdhaikutopics.blogspot.com/2007/12/kamakura.html


Zenkoji, Temple Zenkooji, Zenko-Ji - Temple in Nagano
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/05/hibutsu-secret-statue.html

Zenringai. with 33 zen temples - Hirosaki, district
http://darumamuseum.blogspot.com/2009/08/zenringai-hirosaki.html

Zozusan. Zoozusan. Elephant Head Mountain
Mountain. 象頭山
http://haikutopics.blogspot.com/2006/05/buson-elephants-eye.html


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Here is my LIST of place names!

PLACE NAMES used in Japanese Haiku


　History of Japanese Saijiki


. Place names of the world
INTRODUCTION 　


. . . . . BACK TO
My Haiku Theory Archives 　

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[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]

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Katsura Nobuko

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO TOP . ]
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Katsura Nobuko
(1914 - 2004)

桂信子（かつら のぶこ)
Name: Niwa Nobuko 本名:丹羽信子 （にわ のぶこ）
1914年11月1日 - 2004年12月16日




"By the end of the 20th century, the 'josei haiku' was dissolved.
I remember Nobuko Katsura said on the last day of 'josei haiku'"that the time was over when only women spoke about haiku's with each other." Ms Katsura was also concerned that their goal might change from their initial aim and if the meetings were continued, it would become something totally different."

© PHOTO and Text : www.gendaihaiku.gr.jp/

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Biographical information from
Ueda's "Far Beyond the Field:"

Katsura Nobuko was born Niwa Nobuko in Osaka on 1 November 1914 and almost died of acute pneumonia when she was five. After graduating from Ootemae Girls' High School, she began writing haiku when the poems in 'Kikan' (The flagship) magazine impressed her with their nonraditional style. She subsequently met the magazine's editor, Hino Soojoo, and became his protege. Her marriage in 1939 changed her family name to Katsura, but her husband died two years later.

Childless, she returned to her mother's home. On 13 March, 1945, American planes bombed Osaka. Nobuko's house caught fire. She struggled in vain to douse the flames. Her mother was nowhere to be seen. Nobuko was just able to gather her haiku manuscripts before fleeing barefooted from the fire. Finally, when the danger had passed, she was reunited with her mother. "You are safe -- that's all I care," her mother said, weeping. The rescued manuscripts were later published in her first volume, 'Gekkoo shoo (Beams of the moon 1949).

After she had worked at the library of the Kobe College of Commerce for two years, Nobuko settled into a secretarial job at Kinki Vehicles Company in 1946, and she remained there until her retirement in 1970. In 1954 she helped Katoo Chiyoko edit the magazine 'Josei haiku' (Women's haiku), becoming one of the most faithful participants in its meetings. After 'Gekkoo shoo', she published 'Nyoshin' (The female body) in 1955, 'Banshun' (Late spring) in 1967, 'Shinroku' (Young leaves) in 1974, and several other collections.

In 1970 she founded the magazine 'Sooen' (The grass garden), which is still publishing today. Her honors include the Women's Prize in Modern Haiku in 1977, the Osaka Cultural and Artistic Award in 1981, and the Dakotsu Prize in 1992, the last being the most prestigious prize in haiku, established in 1966 to honor Iida Dakotsu (1885-1962). Her ninth collection of haiku 'Kaei' (The shadows of flowers) came out in 1998.
Translating Haiku Forum


My Japanese Reference



More Haiku by Nobuko


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Let us look at a discussion about the hardships of
being a woman during the rainy season !


ふところに乳房ある憂さ梅雨長き
futokoro ni chibusa aru usa tsuyu nagaki

the hardship
of having breasts in my bosom <>
long rainy season

.. .. .. .. .. or a rather modern version


what a drag
with these boobs in my blouse <>
long rainy season
Tr. Gabi Greve

This haiku has been discussed widely in our forum. Other translations are given a bit further below.


the hardship of having breasts in my bosom

meaning the hardships of being a woman.
Maybe she would have preferred to be a male ?

Gabi

.. .. .. .. ..

Exactly mid month of the menstruation period - the breasts feel heavy, generally for most women. But if a woman is small bosomed, then it hardly matters or is troublesome.

But a heavy chested woman can feel the burden of having to carry the load.
And in the rainy season , when a person is housebound to a certain degree - the thought rotates more around the self?

In India, a girl is supposed to be ready for marriage, when she matures [things have changed now] so the first thing visible is her bosom and if a girl child doesn't want to get into wed-lock, then a situation like in this poem can be experienced?!!!

Kala Ramesh, India

.. .. .. .. ..

....... more of her haiku about being a woman

mado no yuki nyotai nite yu o afureshimu

snow on the window--
a female body makes hot water
overflow the tub

Tr. Ueda


Outside the window, snow;
a woman in a hot bath,
water overflowing.

Tr. from "A Long Rainy Season"

.. .. .. .. ..


Comment by Larry Bole

I wonder if it has anything to do with the rainy season? Is the rainy season also a hot and humid time of year?

I remember reading somewhere that in the Tokugawa era, men commonly stripped to the waist when relaxing at home on a summer evening, to take the evening cool-- a privilege denied to women. And that this practice was even a minor topic of haiku.

I can't find any more explicit than the following:

yuusuzumi yoku zo otoko ni umaretaru

The evening cool;
How glad I am
I was born a man!

Kikaku, trans. Blyth

Of this haiku, Blyth says:

"What Kikaku meant was that being a man enabled him to sit practically naked and cool himself in the evening breeze. ..."


And yet there is the following senryu:

ko ga dekite kara wa arawa ni hada o dashi

After she has a baby,
She openly
Exposes her body.

Shoushi, trans. Blyth

Blyth says about this senryu:

"Japanese women, after they have had their first child, will expose their breasts in public without a second thought [for breast feeding, as an accompanying drawing illustrates]. This is a national custom, and perhaps a good one."

So, what does Nobuko mean by 'usa'? Can 'usa' mean "distraction" as well as "gloom?"

Is Nobuko distracted by having breasts? Are they a sexual distraction when she wants to concentrate on something else? I don't think she wants to be a man, but she might want to be free of the restrictions that are placed on women which aren't placed on men--including the restrictions during her lifetime regarding female haijin not being
taken as seriously as male haijin, although it sounds like that isn't the case anymore.

.. .. .. .. ..


Comment by Gabi Greve

In a time before air conditioning or electric fans, the rainy must have been pure hell.
Imagine being in a sauna for 24 hours ...
Any breeze coming from the sea is hot and sticky with salt ...

It is humid everywhere, mold is growing everywhere ... the sky is dark the whole day (that can hit your mood after about two weeks).
As a housewife, you have to extra chores to keep the mold at bay, wiping the tatami mats, the floor, the walls, wooden beams and just about anything to keep the mold at bay.
Without a refrigerator, you have to take extra care of the food and its preparation.

... for me, thinking of hell has become not one of fire but one of permanent rainy season conditions ... grin

I remember well during my first years in Japan (around 1980) travelling in the countryside with Japanese friends, all the old womenfolk would sit there bare-brested like the menfolk and have supper, it was just tooo hot and humid to do otherwise.
Now the ladies in our countryside have very very very thin cotton or hemp shirts for summer to done, where you can still see all the female beauty, but it is officially all covered up.


..........................................


The nuisance
of breasts-
a long rainy season.

This short verse can either say quite a lot about the speaker as well as the state of being a woman. Conversely, it may simply be very literal--the physical burden of carrying breasts on one's chest.
"A Long Rainy Season: Haiku and Tanka,"
edited and translated by Leza Lowitz, Miyuki Aoyama, and Akemi Tomioka
(Stone Bridge Press, Berkeley, CA., 1994).
©　www.stonebridge.com

See also:
http://longrainyseason.blogspot.com/


...

with two breasts
between my shoulders, and this gloom...
season rain without end

Tr. Ueda

...

gloom in my bosom
comes about by means of breasts -
long monsoon rains

Tr. Norman Darlington

...

Beneath my blouse,
The melancholy
Of having breasts -
This season of rain goes on.

©　www.poetrymagazines.org.uk


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焼鮎の膳より吹かれ箸袋
yaki-ayu no zen yori fukare hashi-bukuro

blown from the tray
with grilled sweetfish -
paperbag for chopsticks


WKD : Ayu 鮎 trout, sweetfish as KIGO




塗椀の重くて母の木の芽和　　　
nuriwan no omokute haha no kinome ae

the laquer bowl
feels so heavy ...
mother's tree buds dressing


WASHOKU and KIGO
kinome ae 木の芽和 (きのめあえ) tree buds in dressing


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Translated by Etsuko Yanagibori :

shiragiku ya itsu ten no hikari atsumetaru

White chrysanthemum
sun light
sharply condense



yuruyaka ni hito to au hotaru no yo

Softly wear
To meet a person
Firefly night



hitori-ne no hikuki makura ya chichiro naku

A low pillow
by single sleeping
A cricket sound


hana no naka ni mezamete shiroki mahiru ari

Wake up
in cherry blossom
white midday



yama no me kaeru no medama man-marushi

A rainy frog
in a mountain
Open his eyes perfectly



From her last haiku book, she was 88 years


kaze oto ni yurugi mo arazu natsu kodachi

A sound of wind
A firm decision
Summer grove


asa ni yuu ni ochiba haku hi no nao ari ya

Mornings and evenings
Sweeping fallen leaves
still left the day?



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Reference


Introducing Japanese Haiku Poets　


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