Shakuhachi ya
the sound of autumn
in my valley.
One note of the shakuhachi
resounds endlessly
piercing the winter clouds.
--Soen Nakagawa (1907-1984)
Song of spring -
the flute of Daruma
in my valley.
Fifth Month rain--
in the town how long
this flute ban?
--Issa
Lightning showers~
lonely beggar plays
the bamboo flute.
Fluttering down
a cadence --
the softness of flutes.
A chevron of mountains peek through mist
-- bamboo flute.
--Chibi
Bamboo flute -
the blind monk plays
with the autumn winds.
Suma Temple -
hearing a silent flute
under dark trees.
-- Matsuo Basho
Suma Temple . . .
I hear the unblown flute
in the shade of a tree.
in Fudo Myo-O's sanctum,
blowing bamboo as an offering
summer's day- a duet of frog and shakuhachi!
floating on the summer wind, the sound of shakuhachi.
Spring passes and one remembers
one's innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers
one's exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers
one's reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers
one's perseverance.
--Yoko Ono
