For the love of all things green!

Featuring poetry by Ema Saiko

I wrote two lines of Ema’s poem. I study Chinese Calligraphy with my teacher 老師 twice a month.

What always warms my heart is reading about people’s everyday life experiences. How different and unique we all are but also share the same human condition. It is a real gift when a writer can capture the simple everyday pleasures in life.

Ema Saiko was a Japanese poet and painter. She wrote Chinese poetry (Kanshi). The famous poet Rai San'yō was Ema Saiko’s teacher. He always encouraged her to write about everyday things. This is where her fun-loving poem about her lost umbrella gleams. She is so talented by taking a simple green umbrella and tells a compelling story about her relationship with it in just eight lines.

Ema Saiko’s poem

6. 甲戌仲秋遊妙興寺歸路失涼傘戲有此作

翠翠圓陰不可離，當時聘得自京師。

蓋遮高髻常相伴，柄託柔荑隨所之。

新霽秋山尋蕈日，微風春寺醉花時。

一朝何棄吾儂去，畏景懷君如調飢。

English translation found in

Breeze Through Bamboo Kanshi of Ema Saiko by Hiroaki Sato

In mid-Fall, of the Eleventh Year of Bunka [1814], I went to Myoko Temple. On my way home I lost my umbrella, so for fun, I made this poem.

Your green, green, round shadow was never away.

A while ago I welcomed you from Kyoto, home.

Your lid shielded my updo, always my companion,

handle in my hand’s custody, you followed me everywhere:

on clear days when I went for mushrooms on autumn hills,

in a breeze, at a spring temple, where I was flower-drunk.

So, why one morning did you abandon me and leave?

Fearful of the sun, I hunger for you as for the morning meal.

Poem 6 page 36

Breeze Through Bamboo Kanshi of Ema Saiko by Hiroaki Sato

Examining what in my life is special to me that is green, the following things emerged:

Morning and afternoon you are my best friend. Sitting content, I take a moment to gather my thoughts and take a break from life.

抹茶翠 - Matcha green

Late afternoon I go forest bathing. Breathing in the fresh air, grateful for such beauty close to home.

森林浴翠 - Forest bathing green

Your color refreshes me as I bend down and look closer. A mystical world to be explored.

四つ葉のクローバー翠 - Four leaf clover green

When I look at you, I am reminded of friendships long ago. Kindness that links continents and thirty years’ time.

翠の帯 - Green obi

Looking at you gives me new life and gratifies my spirit. Appreciative for good water from afar.

ライムグリーン - Lime green

What color jumps out at you in your life when you look around? I would love to hear! Please share in the comments.