Jelly strip (tokoroten)

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Jelly Strips, gelidium jelly (tokoroten)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: All Summer
***** Category: Humanity

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Explanation

Cold Jelly Stripes, gelidium jelly, tokoroten,
心太, 心天 (ところてん)
..... tokoroten 石花菜（ところてん）

"big heart" kokorobuto こころぶと
"heart and heaven", kokoroten こころてん


pushing out the jelly, kokoroten tsuki 心太突き（ところてんつき）

extruding tokoroten jelly


This low-calorie food made of the red seaweed called "tengusa 天草" (Gelidium) is a godsent for dieting people! It is high in vegetable proteins but low in calories. Tengusa is harvested by the womenfolk from rocks along the shorelines of Japan.
After boiling, it gets its jelly-like quality.

Maybe the old Chinese food called "tama abura" was another form of a "seaweed that makes gel". In the Heian period, this was a delicacy for the aristocracy.

Gabi Greve
jello
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'Tokoroten'
is a dish of thin translucent jelly strips. It is served cold and eaten with vinegar-based dressing. It is a snack rather than a meal.

Agar agar, aka Kanten
Tokoroten is made from agar, also known as kanten. Agar contains a substantial amount of dietary fiber and no calories. Unlike gelatin, agar does not contain animal protein.

Tengusa
Agar is made from some species of marine plant. They are called tengusa in Japanese.

'Mitsumame'
is a kind of dessert made of agar cubes instead of strips and eaten with sweet syrup instead of sour vinegar.
© kimoto.cc






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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way

tokoroten uri ところてん売り vendors of Tokoroten


source :　www.web-nihongo.com
The hiragana for tokoroten is written on the figure of the vendor.
They carried a shoulder pole with two boxes 荷台, one for the plates and a bottle of soy sauce. Sometimes white sugar (an expensive rarity in Edo) or soy flour was sprinkled on the treat.

They called out their merchandise :
tokoroten ya - tenya ところてんや、てんや

心天売は一本半に呼び
tokoroten uri wa ippon han ni yobi

tokoroten -
the vendor calls one
and a half



ところてんきなこ砂糖は嫁のぷん
tokoroten kinako satoo wa yome no bun

Tokoroten
sprinkled with soy flour and sugar
only for the wife



source :shop.gnavi.co.jp/i-kappa
selling tokoroten by the roadside




tororoten uri ところてん売り vendors had a wooden box with lattice, to provoke a cool feeling.


. Food vendors in Edo .

. senryuu, senryū 川柳　Senryu in Edo .


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HAIKU






清滝の水汲ませてやところてん
Kiyotaki no mizu kumasete ya tokoroten

water drawn up
from Kiyotaki stream -
this Tokoroten jelly
Tr. Gabi Greve

Written in 1694 元禄７年, Basho age 51
This hokku has the cut marker YA at the end of line 2.

This is a greeting hokku for his host Yamei to thank him for the refreshment.

Written at the home of Sakai Yamei 坂井野明 in Sagano, Kyoto.
Nearby was the river Kiyotakigawa 清滝川. The Kiyotaki waterfall brings the water from Mount Atagoyama to the gorge in Sagano.

Yamei was a masterless Samurai from Hakata, Kuroda.
His haiku name YAMEI was given to him by Matsuo Basho himself.
He is also called Hoojin 鳳仭.





. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .

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Kobayashi Issa liked it quite a lot !


小盥や不二の上なる心太
ko-darai ya fuji no ue naru tokoroten

little tub--
on top of Mount Fuji
cold jelly

Tr. David Lanoue



Tokoroten from Izu, with Mt. Fuji


旅人や山に腰かけて心太
tabibito ya yama ni koshi kakete tokoroten

a traveller -
he sits on the mountain
with gelidium jelly
Tr. Gabi Greve


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. Yosa Buson 与謝蕪村 .

ところてん逆しまに銀河三千尺
tokoroten sakashima ni ginga sanzenjaku

Jelly noodles
in a black bowl -- an upside-down
Milky Way


Tr. Allan Persinger

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ところてん煙の如く沈み居り
tokoroten kemuri no gotoku shizumiori

tokoroten -
like smoke
it sinks down

Hino Sojo (Soojoo) 日野草城 （1901-1956）


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tokoroten susutte jimon jitoo kana

Rogetsu
(Tr. Blyth)

Sucking up the gelidium jelly,
I ask myself questions,
And answer them.

Blyth reports that Rogetsu was "greatly respected in the haiku world after the death of Shiki."(Note: p. 150, A History of HAIKU, Volume Two) In the same small section he introduces this tokoroten haiku but does not offer any comments. One can speculate almost anything as to what Rogetsu wished to say in this poem. What is certain is that he would not have used such a phrase as jimon jito without meaning some kind of a metaphor, or hidden meaning. Jimon jito is rather a peculiar phrase to use in haiku, especially in Rogetsu's time. He therefore must have used it deliberately. It can mean several things.

Firstly, Rogetsu may be depicting a kind of his loneliness whereby he had to deal with certain difficult (philosophical) questions all alone as he is not in the company of those with whom he could discuss them. It can mean that he was casting a doubt on the way he was living. The comical juxtaposition of tokoroten and jimon jito indicates a degree of self-mockery and a faint self-pity about it.

The reason why Blyth chose this haiku seems almost self-evident. It is the Zen-like atmosphere and scene which permeate this haiku. It is also the kind of un-expected moment (the act of eating tokoroten) when Rogetsu seemed to tackle some question, when satori may or may not happen. I am always cautious whenever critics, including Blyth, start talking about Zen in relation to haiku.
Comment by Susumu Takiguchi, WHR 2002


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Related words

***** Jelly Bean Cake (mizu-yookan)

***** Seaweed (kaisoo)

***** Food from Japan (washoku)

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. ONI 鬼 the demons of Japan .



Oni making Tokoroten
Nichosai　耳鳥斎


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WASHOKU ... Japanese Food SAIJIKI



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#tokoroten #jellystrip
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June (rokugatsu)

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June (rokugatsu　六月)

***** Location: Japan, worldwide
***** Season: Mid-Summer
***** Category:Season

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Explanation


Haiku rokugatsu in the Edo period relates to the climate of present-day July,
but some festivals are dated in our present-day June.

. . Names of Japanese months and their meanings . .

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rokugatsu 六月 (ろくがつ) sixth month, june
rokugatsu kuru 六月来る（ろくがつくる）june is coming
rokugatsu kaze 六月風（ろくがつかぜ） wind in the sixth month


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June――Blessings of Water
By Inahata Teiko

Rice sprouts begin to be planted in the field, and then the rainy season has come. So June makes a strong impression of water, don't you think so? Thanks to a blessing of water, fields and mountains are covered in fresh greenery, and surrounding scenery gives us a sign of summer. In the seasonal words we can find many seasonal flowers at the water's edge and so do the animals in the water.

Not only we adapt our life to high temperature and high humidity of this season and cope with such a season but also we take a step forward and find out joy under this circumstance, and furthermore enhance our life to enjoy refined tastes. So we feel refined daily life through such seasonal words as sanaeburi (feast after rice-planting), kawagari (fishing with rounding up in the river), yoburi (fishing at night with light), aosudare (a green reed screen), touisu (a ratten chair), fusuma-hazusu (taking off a fusuma, sliding door), misogi (purification ceremony).

I think that our mentality, as well as daily life and events, has a connection with such high temperature and high humidity. For example, we can never talk about the fundamental idea of Buddhism, reincarnation, without knowing the circumstances of high temperature and high humidity of India, where the dead body returns to the earth, in which plants grow thick and under which the animals live. This idea is utterly different from that of Judaism and Christianity, which originate in such a dry land where the dead body is easy to mummify and the dead are promised to ascend to heaven by God through the Last Judgment.

It may be due to blessings of abundant water that we Japanese soon forget everything, saying, "Let's let bygones be bygones", or have an inclination not to pursue the responsibility thoroughly, and that those who should be blamed are purified and forgiven by misogi 御祓（禊） .

© Inahata Teiko
http://www.kyoshi.or.jp/12month/12month-6.htm

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Japan in June

June 1: First day of Ayu (trout) season
Ayu are sweetfish and this is a major day for catching them. Fishing for the ayu is strictly controlled to preserve their numbers so the opportunities for catching them are quite limited. The exact starting date for fishing can vary and the length of the season for catching them can also vary depending on the area of Japan one is in.
The oldest poetry written in Japan- the Manyoshu- from the 8th century has some poems about fishing for ayu.

Catching them is an unusual task. In the U.S. we bait our hooks with worms and related critters or put fish flies on them; in Japan in order to catch an ayu you use an ayu. A live ayu has a ring attached to its nose and a hook to its belly. The ring is attached to the fishing line and the fish is cast into the water. Since the fish has a strong territorial instinct another other ayu will attack the first fish, thinking it is invading its territory. The attacker gets caught on the hook and reeled in.

June 4: Cavity Prevention Day
Various activities are held by the Health and Welfare Ministry to get people, especially young children, to take better care of their teeth. This can even include department stores having dentists come in to give free checkups and consultations.

Mid-June: Peiron-Dragon Boat Race
This is a Chinese custom that was adopted by the city of Nagasaki which housed the Chinese trading missions during the Edo Period (1603-1868). The race is similar to those held in Hong Kong, Thailand and Okinawa.
The boats themselves are long, requiring both skill and strength, and there is a strong sense of competition among the participants.

First Sunday of June
Chiyodacho, Hiroshima. The Mibu-no Hana Taue ceremony with special rice-planting songs.

Mid-June: Sanno Festival
This particular shrine goes back to 1478 (consider; this is some 14 years before North American was "discovered" by Columbus!) when it was built to ensure good fortune during the construction of the Edo castle.
This is another time when portable shrines are used. Originally the shrines were moved through the Edo Castle itself and viewed by the shogun. Today it has become a regular parade through Tokyo with hundreds of people taking place.

June 24: Izawanomiya Otaue Matsuri
Izawanomiya Shrine, Isobecho, Mie rice festival with boys 5 to 6 years of age dressing as women and playing a loud drum.

Third Sunday: Father's Day
This is another holiday imported from the United States. It is not as widely adhered to as Mother's Day, though. Gifts are given to fathers and can include such things as belts, wallets and neckties or things the child or children make themselves.

Misc. items
This general period of time is also noted for other activities, although these do not necessarily occur on any specific date.

1. It is the opening of the pool season. Swimming is an important part of the physical education program of schools and 75% of Japanese middle schools have their own pool. (How many schools of any kind in the U.S. do you know with their own swimming pool?).

2. Rice planting: This is roughly the time that rice is being planted with various rituals and celebrations throughout Japan.

3. This is also roughly the start of Japan's rainy season called tsuyu. It is a time of considerable discomfort as temperatures are rising and the humidity is high. There is little sunshine and children get bored being indoors.

Japanese Festivals of all months
January .. .. February .. .. March .. .. April .. .. May .. .. June .. .. July .. .. August .. .. September .. .. October .. .. November .. .. December
http://www.bookmice.net/darkchilde/japan/jfestival.html

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Worldwide use


Southern Hemisphere, Tropics ...
Adjustments for each region must be made.

Calendar reference kigo

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Things found on the way


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HAIKU

六月や峯に雲置あらし山
rokugatsu ya mine ni kumo oku Arashiyama

the six month -
clouds are laying on the summit
of Mount Arashiyama

Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉


. Arashiyama 嵐山 "Storm Mountain" .


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rokugatsu ya
kigo shuushuu mo
ame no naka

t'is June !
collecting kigo
all in the rain

Gabi Greve, June 2006


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chilly June night ...
the moon disappears
under thick clouds

Catherine Njeri, Kenya
June 2009


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june showers -
keading to pothols on
tarmac, terrific


june drizzle -
woman under leaking roof
with soaked clothes

june showers
green pasteurs blossom
goats satisfied


Gideon Gichamba, Kenya
June 2009



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Related words

***** Calendar reference kigo


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. . . . SUMMER
the complete SAIJIKI


. WKD : June - KIGO CALENDAR .


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Jelly Bean Cake (mizu yookan)

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Jelly Bean Cake (mizu-yookan 水羊羹)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: All Summer
***** Category: Humanity

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Explanation


http://www.office-takumi.com/shikisaika/07/free.htm

This is a delicacy eaten in the hot summer. Just looking at is supposed to make you feel fresh.
Mizu Yookan (mizuyokan 水羊羹) is made from red bean paste, but there are other types now made with sweet potatoes or other ingredients.
It is served on the green leave of a cherry tree.

It is a traditional sweet, easily made at home too, and just the mention of the name makes you feel fresh again on a hot summer day. Farmers use freshly cut bamboo and stuff it in the tubes, then hang it in the local river for cooling (in times you had no refrigerator...).

Gabi Greve

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History of Mizuyokan
by A. Tara

As the summer gets hotter and hotter, people like to eat chilled and light-tasting sweets such as Mizuyokan (水羊羹). Mizuyokan is a watery version of Yokan, a rectangular bar of sweetened jellied bean paste available in different flavors, and served with tea.

Yokan has a history going back hundreds of years. It was originally brought from China by Zen monks between the years 1192～1573. At that time Yokan was eaten as a vegetarian substitute for the thick mutton soup traditionally served between meals (known as tenshin). Zen monks were forbidden to eat meat, so they made meat substitutes using mashed beans and powdered kuzu root (kuzuko: Japanese arrowroot). With time, the popularity of Yokan gradually spread to the military (samurai) world as well, and it was often served during religious ceremonies and memorial services for the dead.

At that time sugar was a precious ingredient, so Yokan did not have the sweet taste it has now. At ceremonial meals people ate Yokan served with with slices of pear or sashimi (raw fish) which seems unthinkable now.

During the 16th century, Yokan began being used for tea ceremonies. As sugar supplies increased during the Edo period, Yokan started being produced as a dessert rather than food eaten between meals.

In the 18th century Yokan began being produced as merchandise, wrapped in bamboo leaves. The process of Yokan production during that time period is similar to the way that steamed Yokan (Mushiyokan) is made now. Mizuyokan was created by making steamed Yokan using Kuzuko in place of wheat powder and a larger quantity of water, creating a jelly-like texture. It took a while for the recipe to be perfected, so it was not until the 18th century that it caught on in popularity.

In 1789-1801, Neriyokan (Yokan paste), began being made in the Edo region (Tokyo), using kanten (agar- a jelly made from seaweed) to make it firm. This became popular, and spread all over Japan. Neriyokan was more popular than steamed Yokan because it kept well and was better tasting. It thus became the main Yokan product on the market.



Mizuyokan made with kuzuko tastes smoother than the kind made with kanten, but is more difficult for mass production and does not keep as well as the kanten variety, so the latter tended to dominate the market. In modern times, packed and canned Mizuyokan can be easily preserved, but are not as aesthetically pleasing as fresh sliced Mizuyokan placed on real cherry leaves or packed in a real bamboo container complete with bamboo leaves on the top.
Many sweet shops sell original Mizuyokan in a variety of tastes, shapes and colors. So why not give Mizuyokan a try this summer?

http://www.kcif.or.jp/en/newsletter/lik/archives/0308/08_2003.htm

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Mizuyokan (red bean cake) Recipe

Yield: 10 Servings

12 oz Azuki beans - cooked
2 pk Gelatin, unflavored
1 ¼ c Sugar, granulated
pn Salt


1. PREPARE AHEAD: Place the drained, cooked beans in a 4 quart pot. Add 2 quarts of cold water and, over high heat, bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to its lowest point and cook uncovered for about 3 hours, or until the beans are very soft.

2. Pour the beans into a coarse sieve set over a large bowl and puree them by rubbing them through with the back of a large spoon. Transfer the puree to a very fine sieve set over another bowl, and rub them through again.

3. Wrap the pureed beans in a kitchen towel and twist to squeeze them dry. The beans may be refrigerated, tightly wrapped in the towel, for as long as 4.

TO COOK: In a 1-1/2 to 2 quart saucepan, stir together the gelatin, sugar and salt. Pour in 2 cups of cold water and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring constantly. Add the pureed beans and return to a boil, still stirring. Then pour the beans into an 8" cake pan, cool and refrigerate overnight or until firm. Slice into 2" wedges and serve as dessert or a swee course.

Original recipe from "Recipes - The Cooking of Japan"
by Time-Life Books. Meal-Master conversion by Rick Weissgerber
http://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=Mizuyokan%20(red%20bean%20cake



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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way


. Donryuu Yookan 呑龍羊羹 Donryu Yokan sweets .
In Memory of Saint Donryu 呑龍上人
September at temple Horyu-Ji 宝龍寺


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My essay about some Japanese sweets, with Daruma as the main ingredient!


AME, DAGASHI Sweets

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HAIKU

蕉庵へ　途中なれども　水ようかん
shoo-an e tochuu naredomo mizuyookan

even on the way to
Basho’s hut
jelly bean cake

Nakamura Sakuo


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水羊羹喜劇も淡き筋ぞよき
mizu yookan kigeki mo awaki-suji zo yoki

jelly bean cake -
better see a comic play
with a soft plot

Mizuhara Shuoshi 水原秋桜子


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From the NHK Programm 俳句王国
平成14年6月1日


水羊羹旅の車中でゆれゆれと
mizuyookan tabi no shachuu de yureyure to

jelly bean cake
on a trip in the train
wobbeling here and there
(Tr. Gabi Greve)


立ち残る湯気ごと冷す水羊羹

寺普請釘打ち終えて水羊羹

水羊羹今切られしが凛と立つ

切り分けて雫こぼすや水羊羹


http://www.nhk.or.jp/haiku/html/haiku14-6-1.htm


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Related words

***** . WAGASHI - - - Sweets for Summer 　　


. 鍾馗羊羹 Yokan with Shoki, the Demon Queller .


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January 2006

nnnnnnnnnnnn TOP nnnnnnnnnnnnn

January (ichigatsu, Japan)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: New Year / Late Winter
***** Category: Season

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Explanation

The following is a list of every day in January 2006 with its kigo.
Quoted from Haiku Alpha (Mainichi Shinbun)
「俳句アルファ」（毎日新聞刊）
Translations: Gabi Greve

Only haiku with food have been selected.

First Buddhist Ceremonies of the year

.................................. Kigo for New Year

January 1

first day of the year, gantan,
first shrine or temple visit, hatsumoode,
First Sun, First Sunrise (hatsuhi, hatsuhi no de, Japan)
mochi mo suki sake mo suke nari kesa no haru

I like mochi
I also like ricewine -
this New Year morning

Takahama Kyoshi

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January 2

first dream, hatsu yume
first luggage, hatsu ni
first calligraphy, kakizome

naganaga to kuchi e nobitaru zooni mochi

longer and longer
they hang out of the mouth -
gooey rice cakes in soup

Takizawa Iyoji

zooni is a special soup for the New Year and the mochi, rice cakes, are like rubber ...

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January 3


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January 4

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January 5


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January 6


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January 7


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January 8


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January 9


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January 10


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January 11


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January 12


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January 13

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January 14


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January 15

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January 16


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January 17

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January 18


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January 19


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January 20


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January 21


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January 22


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January 23


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January 24


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January 25

First Tenjin Ceremony of the year, hatsu Tenjin and other FIRST ceremonies

tara nabe no
fuda odorasete
daikazoku

hodgepot with cod
makes the lid dance -
a big family

Katoo Kenkoo 加藤 憲曠

a large ceramic pot filled with fish (cod), vegetables, tofu and other ingredients, boiled at the table, where all sit and wait to help themselves from the steaming broth.

taranabe, kigo for winter

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January 26

yuzu sutte kureshi
kama-age udon kana

grating citron peel
for the big pot of
hot noodle soup

Ooishi Etsuko 大石悦子

udon noodles eaten from a large pot filled with hot water. You take out each mouthfull, dip the noodles in flavored broth and eat it with pieces of tempura, vegetables or pure noodles. This is a speciality of some areas of Shikoku island.

kama-age udon　釜揚饂飩, kigo for winter

Yuzu (Japan) a ctiron fruit

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January 27


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January 28

First Purification Ceremony and Festival at Koojin Temple, Osaka
Hatsu Harai Koojin Daisai　初はらい荒神大祭

First Fudo Ceremony of the year, hatsu Fudo and other FIRST ceremonies 初不動

koi wa bi no
okoze wa oni no
samusa kana

beautiful like a carp
develish ugly like the devil stinger
--- this cold

Suzuki Masajo

cold, samusa　寒さ, kigo for winter

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January 29

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January 30

sokobie no
yado no kinpira
goboo kana

foot-cold -
the little inn serves
local roots

Tsuda Teiko 津田汀ヶ子

foot-cold, sokobie, imagine a cold little hotel in Hokkaido, where the ground is frozen and the cold seeps through the thin tatami mats to your feet and bottom.

sokobie 底冷え, kigo for winter

comfrey, goboo 牛蒡　 is a vegetable good for your health because of its many fibers. Kinpira goboo is a side dish on every table, sort of the taste of mother and home.

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January 31

sanjuunichi shoogatsu、三十日正月

The first "last day of the year with the number 31", misoka. People celebrate it eating buckwheat noodles (soba).
December 31 is the "Great last day", Last Day of the Year (oomisoka, Japan)

yudoofu ya inochi no hate no usuakari

hot tofu -
at the end of my days,
a faint light

Kubota Mantaroo 久保田万太郎

tofu in hot water, yudoofu　湯豆腐, is a kigo for winter.

Kubota lost his first wife and his son commited suicide. He married again but that did not last. His third wife also died and he spend his old age quite alone. The faint light is shining from the Paradise of the West, where the souls reside after death.
Haiku about Amida Buddha in the Paradise of the West
by Gabi Greve

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Japanese LINK about January day kigo
http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/princesshiromi/5002

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Related words

***** January Worldwide

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Please send your contributions to Gabi Greve
worldkigo .....

Back to the WHC Worldkigo Index
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/

Insects (mushi)

[ . BACK to Worldkigo TOP . ]
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Insects (mushi)

***** Location: Japan, worldwide
***** Season: All Autumn, see below
***** Category: Animals

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Explanation

Before we start with this kigo, did you know that the biggest insect of them all is the "naked insect" hadakamushi 裸虫, the human being !

裸虫さし出て時雨時雨けり
hadaka mushi sashidete shigure shigure keri

a wiggling worm
peeks out...winter rain!
winter rain!

Kobayashi Issa

Hadaka mushi, literally "naked bug," refers to a critter that lacks wings or legs: a worm, a slug, or the like. Metaphorically, it can also refer to a poor person without clothes; Kogo dai jiten (Shogakukan 1983) 1325.

Tr. David Lanoue

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Insects in this context are the ones that make a lot of noise in autumn, like crickets and cicadas. This kigo is usually used in the plural meaning.

insects, mushi 虫
autumn of the insects, mushi no aki　虫の秋



lit: "voice of the insect", chirping insects,
mushi no ne 虫の音
..... mushi no koe, 虫の声
shrill chorus of insects, mushi shigure 虫時雨
..... Lit. Snow shower of insects (voices)

insects at daytime, hiru no mushi　昼の虫
left-over insects (from early autumn) , nokoru mushi 残る虫
clinging insects, sugaru mushi すがる虫


box for keeping insects, mushikago, mushiko 虫籠
dealer for insects, mushiya 虫家, mushi-uri 虫売り
.. knowledgeable about insects, mushi-kiki 虫聞き


. . . CLICK here for Photos !
mushikiki at Dokanyama, Edo 道灌山 道灌やま虫聞
Sanjūrokkyō Dōkan-yama Mushi-kiki Utagawa Toyokuni III

A Dealer of Insect Baskets of Old Edo


http://www.surugaya.com/kodawari/mushiyomo/

. mushikago - cages for insects - introduction .




observance kigo for all autumn

hunting for insects, mushikari 虫狩 （むしがり)
..... mushi tori, mushitori 虫採り（むしとり)
selecting insects, mushi erabi 虫選び (むしえらび )
..... mushi fuku 虫吹く（むしふく）

pairing insects, mushi awase 虫合わせ （むしあわせ）
"Poetry competition of the Insects"



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Some insects that sing loudely in Autumn

crickets, koorogi 蟋蟀
Gampsocleis buergeri
.. see kirigirisu for the naming of the time of Basho.
..... chichiro, chichiromushi　ちちろ虫
..... korokoro ころころ
..... tsuzuresase　つづれさせ
..... mitsukado koorogi 三角こおろぎ
..... fudetsu mushi　筆津虫
..... Yamato Koorogi　大和蟋蟀

pine cricket, matsumushi　松虫 (early autumn)
..... golden Biwa, kin biwa　金琵琶
..... green pine cricket, aomatsumushi 青松虫

bell cricket, suzumushi 鈴虫 (early autumn)
..... getsureishi　月鈴子
..... kin shooji　金鐘児
..... bell of Yamato, yamato suzu　大和鈴虫



From a page full of Suzumushi Photos
http://nan2228.hp.infoseek.co.jp/suzumusi-nikki.htm
.....


kantan 邯鄲 snowy cricket
..... all green animal, starts in August to sing RURURUUU
Oecanthus longicauda
kigo for early autumn


lark of the weeds, kusahibari　草雲雀
grass cricket
asasuzu 朝鈴（あさすず）"morning bell"
kinhibari, kin hibari 金雲雀（きんひばり）
Paratrigonidium bifasciatum
kigo for early autumn



Fruit Cricket, Prayer Gong Cricket (kanetataki) 　鉦叩
Ornebius kanetataki
kigo for early autumn

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kigo for early autumn

long-horned grasshopper (Platyphyllum concavum,
some sources quote: Gampsocleis buergeri)
Insect of the order Orthoptera, family Tettigoniidae
kirigirisu キリギリス　螽斯　
..... gisu ぎす
..... "weaver" hataori 機織
..... "chasing after horses" uma-oi 馬追, uma-oi mushi 馬追虫
oblong-winged katydid, kutsuwamushi くつわ虫
Amblycorypha oblongifolia
..... gachagacha がちゃがちゃ
..... suito すいと
When courting the male sounds like SUIII-TCHO スイーッチョ, the sound children used to make when chasing horses in the Edo period.

The sound was perceived as melancholic and full of sorrow.



きりきりすいたくななきそあきのよの
なかきおもひは　われそまされる
kirigirisu itaku na naki so aki no yo no
nagaki omoi wa ware zo masareru

kirigirisu　--
do not grieve so, chirping crickets
this long autumn night
my prolonged sorrows
are greater even than yours

Fujiwara no Tadafusa　藤原たゝふさ　忠房
Kokin Wakashu poetry collection 　古今和歌集



. kutsuwamushi katyd - haiku .


In the days of Basho, kirigirisu meant today's "koorogi": a cricket, Grylloidea.


grashoppers
having a wedding party -
come on, come on !



Gabi Greve, August 2008
CLICK here to read more about the mating habits of these animals and look at some photos which I managed to take ... !!

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Some insects not so famous for their song

large, brown grasshopper/locust, batta　ばった　
Acrididae
..... hatahata 蟿螽 / 蹊蚸
..... keireki 螇蚚
kichikichi きちきち、batta ばった、batabata ばたばた
kichikihci batta きちきちばった
shooryoo batta 精霊ばった（しょうりょうばった）
inetsukimushi 稲舂虫 (いねつきむし)
kometsuki batta 秋 米搗ばった（こめつきばった）

kigo for all autumn



small green grasshopper/locust, イナゴ　蝗, 稲子,螽　inago
Oxya spp.
.... sometimes eaten
inagotori 蝗捕り（いなごとり）catching inago
inagogushi 蝗串（いなごぐし） stick with (fried) inago





inagomushi 稲虫 (いなむし) "rice locust"
ine no mushi 稲の虫（いねのむし）
inagomaro 稲子麿（いなごまろ）
Oxya japonica. Reisschädling. Heuschrecke



mizokawa o obusatte tobu inago kana

mizuumi o chotto oyogishi inago kana

locust flies
riding on flowing
ditch water

locust after
a brief swim
in the lake


INAGO - Haiku by Issa and :
. comments by Chris Drake .


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kigo for all autumn

itodo 竈馬 (いとど) cave cricket
..... kamauma かまどうま "horse of the hearth"
..... kamadomushi かまどむし"insect of the hearth"
okama koorogi おかま蟋蟀（おかまこおろぎ）"hearth cricket"
hadaka koorogi 裸蟋蟀（はだかこおろぎ）"naked cricket"
ebi koorogi えび蟋蟀（えびこおろぎ）"locust cricket"
osaru koorogi おさる蟋蟀（おさるこおろぎ）
This animal likes to live in the kitchen, especially of old farmhouses.
Atachycines apicalis, Diestrammena apicalis. Höhlenschrecke
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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kigo for early winter

fuyu no mushi 冬の虫 (ふゆのむし) insects in winter
mushi oyu 虫老ゆ（むしおゆ）insects getting old
mushi karuru 虫嗄るる（むしかるる）
insects singing with a hoarse voice
mushi tayuru 虫絶ゆる（むしたゆる） "voice is soon over"

After their great time in autumn, many insects still chirp, but their voices are getting more quiet, hoars and their song will soon be over. As a kigo, this brings a melancholic background to a haiku.


. locust in winter, fuyu no inago 冬の蝗 (ふゆのいなご) 　
grashopper in winter


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Mushi no Koe : CHIRPS OF INSECTS
by Rie

After a hot and muggy Summer in Japan, Autumn begins in September. Many Japanese appreciate the Mid-autumn Full Moon, which is said to be the most beautiful full moon, and love to hear the chirps of crickets and grasshoppers. On a dark night in September, when I hear the fine song of insects in a garden, I feel Nature very close and intimate.

The chirps remind me of a song that we used to sing in a music lesson in my school, " Matsu-mushi began to chirp, chin-chiro chin-chiro, chin-chiro rin, ah Suzu-mushi began to chirp, rin-rin rin-rin riiin-rin". Matsu-mushi and Suzu-mushi are kinds of crickets, their names are familiar as singing insects in Japan. When I sang the song when I was seven or eight years old, I didn't know what they looked like, but I had a friendly feeling towards the chirps. When I was twelve years old, my grandmother was given Suzu-mushi by her friend and she enjoyed hearing the beautiful chirps every night in her room. I was in charge of taking care of them. While I replaced the old food (cucumber, egg plant or water melon), splayed misty water to make the soil wet, I watched the insects and the system of their chirps. Males only made a sound by rubbing thier wings to attract females.

Since the old days, people have loved to hear songs of insects and many traditional poets have composed poems about them. Even now, people can buy Suzu-mushi at a pet shop to hear their songs. I've heard that this custom is a peculiar to Oriental culture, what do you think ? I know the Aesop story titled "the grasshopper and the ants". In that story, the grasshopper plays music, so I think Western people consider chirps as music. Do you agree ?
(8th September 1996)
http://www.linkclub.or.jp/~kosa/rie/small/musi.html

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Photo © by Carol Raisfeld

Read a moving haibun about this little fellow
by Carol Raisfeld
http://home.alc.co.jp/db/owa/ph_diary?stage=show&diary_sn_in=311

praying mantiss, kamakiri 螳螂 Tenodora aridifolia
..... tooroo, tōrō 螳螂
..... ibomushiri いぼむしり


a visitor's card
left at my doorstep ...
praying mantiss

Look at an amazing photo here !
©　Gabi Greve, August 2007


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bagworm, basketworm, minomushi 蓑虫 larva of Psychidae
..... demon-child, oni no ko 鬼の子



autumn butterfly, aki no choo 秋の蝶
..... see photo below


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『蟲のこゑ』（むしのこえ）は文部省唱歌
1932年
Official School Song from 1932.



あれ松蟲が鳴いてゐる。
ちんちろちんちろ　ちんちろりん。
あれ鈴蟲も鳴き出した。
りんりんりんりん　りいんりん。
あきの夜長を鳴き通す
あゝおもしろい蟲のこゑ。

きりきりきりきり　きりぎりす。
がちやがちやがちやがちや　くつわ蟲。
あとから馬おひおひついて
ちよんちよんちよんちよん　すいつちよん。
秋の夜長を鳴き通す
あゝおもしろい蟲のこゑ。
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

Aaa, here is the pine cricket's song
chin chirochin chirochin chirorin
Now listen, the bell cricket chimed in
ring ringring ring riingring

They sing all through the long autun night!
How interesting all these voices of insects!

Kirikiri kirikiri, the crickets
Gachagacha gachagacha, the oblong-winged katydid
And now chiming in the katydids
chonchon chonchon suit-chon

They sing all through the long autun night!
How interesting, all these voices of insects!
Tr. Gabi Greve


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Worldwide use

In many countries, other kinds of crickets are chirping and singing in other seasons.
Mostly in spring and summer they are already doing their part to bring joy to the listeners.
We will try and list some here.


CHINA

List of common singing and fighting crickets in China.

... ... ... Grylloidea
Anaxipha pallidula (Matsumura, 1911) "Xiao Huang Ling" small yellow bell
Anaxipha sp. n. "Da Huang Ling" large yellow bell
Homeoxipha lycoides (Walker, 1869) "Mo Ling" inky bell
Svistella bifasciatata (Shiraki, 1911) "Jin Ling Zi" golden bell
Dianemobius fascipes (Walker, 1869) "Ban Ling" spotted bell
Dianemobius flavoantennalis (Shiraki, 1911) "Hua Ling" flowered bell
Ornebius kanetataki (Matsumura, 1904) "Shi Ling" stony bell
Scleropterus punctatus (Brunner, 1893) "Pan Ling" rocky bell
Oecanthus longicaudus (Matsumura, 1911) "Zhu Ling" bamboo bell
Homoeogryllus japonica (De Haan, 1842) "Ma Ling" horse bell
Truljalia hibinonis (Matsumura, 1911) "Jin Zhong" golden bell
Truljalia forceps (Saussure, 1878) "Jin Zhong" golden bell
Xenogryllus marmoratus (De Haan, 1842) "Bao Ta Ling" pagoda bell
Turanogryllus eous (Bey-Bienko, 1956) "Qing Ling" blue bell

Gryllodes sigillatus (Walker, 1869) "Zhao Ji" stove cricket
Velarifictorus micado (Saussure, 1877) "Cu Zhi" fighting cricket
Velarifictorus aspersus (Walker, 1869) "Cu Zhi" fighting cricket
Gryllus bimaculatus (De Haan, 1773) "Hua Jing" painted mirror
Teleogryllus emma (Ohmachi & Matsumura, 1951) "You Hu Lu" oil guord
Loxoblemmus doenitzi (Stein, 1881) "Guan Cai Tou" coffin-headed
Loxoblemmus equestris (Saussure, 1877) "Guan Tou Xi" coffin-headed cricket
Tarbinskiellus portentosus (Lichtenstein, 1796) "Da Xi Shuai" giant cricket

The cricket has also served as a watchdog in China and other Asian countries for generations. At any sign of danger, the chirping will stop.

Look at some more:
http://www.insects.org/ced3/singing.html


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Germany

Grillen zirpen.
Feldgrille, kigo Sommer

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Europa

Field cricket, Gryllus campestris
kigo for summer
Feldgrille
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
Native to Europe, but quite an endangered species now.
They prefer dry, sunny locations with short vegetation. The males make a burrow with a platform at the entrance from which they attract females with their "song." They are often found from May to August when the males sit at the mouths of their burrows and sing day and night.

A lonely apple-tree,
a lonely field-cricket sings for
all neighbours.

Joze Volaric (Slovenia)
http://www.tempslibres.org/aozora/en/regpub/volaric1.html



"To find a cricket on the hearth
is the luckiest thing of all."

The Cricket on the Hearth - Charles Dickens



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Kenya

topic for haiku

Crickets cannot be a kigo since they are there all year round. However, it greatly depends with the surroundings; for instance, they are not very much available in places where concrete buildings abound, but they are available at dusk in quiet natural places with trees and grass.

Patrik Wafula


basking on the lawn--
the chirping of the cricket
makes her gasp

Caleb

Kenya Saijiki Forum


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North America

Field cricket, Gryllus campestris
kigo for summer

Here are some sound files.
Linda Papanicolaou

North American singing insects:
http://buzz.ifas.ufl.edu/

http://www.naturesongs.com/insects.html

http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/samplesViewSingle.php?id=1053

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/sounds/Arthropoda.html

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Here's a link to our Kentucky-style Field Crickets.

Field Cricket - Scroll down for the sound link:
http://tinyurl.com/a8z2x

Kentucky Bluegrass (grass): http://tinyurl.com/9bzmu

'Bluegrass' is also a famous style of mountain/folk music...ENJOY these foot-tappin' music clips!:
http://www.rolandwhite.com/sounds.htm

chee chee chee
field crickets performin'
Kentucky Bluegrass

b'oki

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Russia

We say about crickets that they "chirp" (стрекочут - strekochut: streh-koh-choot). We also say that they sing (поют - poyut: poh-yoot). If we want to say how they do it, we would probably choose the sound "цвирк-цвирк-цвирк" - tsvirk-tsvirk-tsvirk.

We say about flies and bees that they "жужжат" - "zhuzhzhat" -zhoozh-zhut (buzz). The sound "zh" is approximately the sound you hear in the middle of the words "pleasure" and "measure" (and thus my name does not start with the sound "z" :).
When we want to show the sound they make, we use "zh-zh-zh" - "ж-ж-ж"

Summer night-
the Earth speaks to the stars
in Cicada

(WHR, 2005 spring-summer)

Летняя ночь -
Земля говорит со звёздами
на языке цикад

********

office tension -
a fly at the window
keeps buzzing

(4th place in Shiki Double Kukai, January 2004)

натянутость в офисе -
муха на окне
продолжает жужжать

.....

"натянутая обстановка в офисе" ?

Критическим замечаниям по переводам буду рада.

Кто может ещё подсказать, какие звуки издают насекомые?

Zhanna P. Rader


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Spain

cri cri cri cri cri all the time :)

acustic greetings from spain

Maitia


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Yemen

The long-horned grasshopper alias [predatory] bush cricket alias katydid.
These insects are basic food for the [famous] yemeni veiled chameleon.

"all night long"
in mocha scent the old tune
katydid

Heike Gewi
(Yemen Saijiki)


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Things found on the way

Japanese Singing Insects
© Robert W. Pemberton, 1994
(for the illustrations see the link given below)

The Japanese have a long tradition of enjoying the calls of various Orthoptera, both in the wild and as caged pets (Lafcadio Hern, 1905, Exotics and Retrospectives, Little, Brown and Co., Boston). These customs have been popular with both the Japanese Court, which probably introduced some of the customs from China, and with the common people. Visiting places, known for the abundance and high quality of their singing insects, was one of the seasonal pleasures, such as cherry blossom and autumn leaf viewing. Although many of these customs have been lost or simplified with Japan's modernization, there remains a fondness for the "cries" of certain species of crickets (Gryllidae) and long-horned grasshoppers (Tettigonidae). The following illustrations and notes show various aspects of Japan's cricket culture.



"The cricket cage peddlar", Kiyonaga, ca. late 1700s, (courtesy of The Art Institute of Chicago).
Cricket sellers were members of an organized guild recognized by the checkerboard motif used on the cloth of their stands and kimonos. These mobile merchants sold diverse and beautifully crafted cages, including ones that resembled fans, boats and country cottages, to house the singing insects. The singing insects of commerce were both reared and collected from the wild.

Cricket cage made of twigs, wire and the sheath of a bamboo shoot, ca. 1950 (courtesy of Kyushu-Tokai Univ.).
This wire mesh type of cage was used for smaller crickets. The finely crafted cages of the past are now rarely made; most modern cages are clear plastic terrariums with ventilated tops. These terrariums are sold to keep and rear a few species of singing Orthoptera (mainly the bell insect, Homoeogryllus japonicus de Haan), which are also sold along with specially packaged bell insect food and soil in pet shops.

A book "How to raise singing insects" written in 1983 by Kimio ONO and Hideaki OGASAWARA (New Science Co., Tokyo).
This book, which shows the bell insect (suzumushi) on its cover, contains natural history, rearing information and even poetry on five of the most favored cricket species and one katydid, and briefer sections on fourteen other crickets and katydids. Raising singing insects is a popular past-time. Singing crickets are given as gifts to customers by some produce markets and to the friends of some cricket hobbyists.

Electronic katydid in a paper covered plastic box cage, 1992, $9 US.
The plastic katydid and its electronic chip mimic a popular long-horned grasshopper (kirigirisu, Gampsocleis buergeri de Haan) in both appearance and sound. This cage also features flashing fireflies. Electronic bell insects, including one with a very accurate chip that was sold in a Tokyo Mitsukoshi Department store for $200 US in 1990, are also available. Recordings of singing Orthoptera are sold in record stores, and can be heard in subway stations and other public places
The original with illustrations is here
http://www.insects.org/ced3/japanese_sing.html

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虫の音楽家 小泉八雲コレクション
- - - - - and
Mushi no bungaku 蟲の文学 Insect Literature
by Koizumi Yagumo (Lafcadio Hearn)



The Berlin-based author Yoko Tawada recently remarked that one of the difficulties she faced when translating Kafka’s short story “Metamorphosis” into Japanese was that the associations Japanese people had with insects — even presumably giant beetles — were different to those of Europeans. Tawada was alluding to the idea that Japanese appreciation of insects is one marker of Japanese cultural uniqueness.
http://matsuobasho-wkd.blogspot.jp/
source :　Japan Times



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A temple in Kyoto called "Bell Cricket Temple"
Suzumushidera 鈴虫寺　（華厳寺）
Famous for the sound of this insect in autumn.
http://www.suzutera.or.jp/


. Suzumushidera 鈴虫寺 .
and a Jizo wearing straw sandals


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. san-shi no mushi 三尸の虫 .
The Three Worms in Taoism and Chinese Mecicine


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Karma, Indra's Net and the Internet

grasshopper
your fool !
the tea is still hot


The details are here:
Gabi Greve, Japan, June 2004

If a butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazon jungle, we might end up with a taifun over here in Japan.


*****************************
HAIKU



知恵もなし　無知恵もなし　虫の秋　
無心に増さる　説法ぞなし

chie mo nashi
mu-chie mo nashi ya
mushi no aki

mushin ni masaru
seppoo zo nashi

..... .....

the wisdom
of NO-wisdom -
autumn of the insects

no-mind is best
no more preaching

..... .....

die Weisheit
der NICHT-Weisheit -
Herbst der Insekten

endlich frei von Gedanken
keine Predigten mehr

. ... .

Renku from Gabi Greve and Sakuo Nakamura
Wisdom 知恵と無知恵

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独唱が合唱になり虫の秋
dokushoo ga gashoo ni nari mushi no aki

a solo
becomes a chorus -
autumn insects
(tr. Gabi Greve)

saiou
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/saiou01/e/03a28b35574232022bf8aed669ad2862

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備長炭枕すがしき虫の秋　　
binchootan makura sugashiki mushi no aki

my pillow of charcoal
just so refreshing -
autumn of the insects　
(tr. Gabi Greve)

葉子
http://www.kyoto.zaq.ne.jp/masuhiro/siritorishyuku.html

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koorogi no kono ittetsu no kao o miyo

A cricket,
look at his face;
this headstrong face
(Tr. Nori Matsui)

Yamaguchi Syuson (1893-?)
http://www.haikuworld.org/dogwood/7/iv.html

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koorogi ni/ nakarete bakari

Crickets are chirping,
Chirping to me all the time.

Tr. Copyright Takashi Nonin

Santoka (Santooka) 山頭火
http://haiku.cc.ehime-u.ac.jp/~shiki/shiki.archive/html/9512/0676.html

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暁は宵よりさびし鉦叩
akatsuki wa yoi yori sabishi kanetataki

in morning light
it sounds even more lonely -
Kanetataki

星野立子 Hoshino Tatsuuko
現代俳句データベース

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Die Grillen zirpen ihr Abendlied, -
wiegen die Gräser
in den Schlaf.

crickets sing their evening song -
swaying the grass
into sleep

Steffi Wittl
www.tmg.musin.de/haiku/jahreszeiten.htm

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Die Grillen zirpen.
Der Himmel ist wolkenleer -
strahlend fließt das Licht.

crickets chirping
the sky without clouds
light flows shining

Laura Velte
www.tmg.musin.de/haiku/dichtung.htm

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zwischen dem zirpen
das Gespräch der Zikaden
als trocknes Knacken

Klaus-Dieter Wirth

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green on green -
eyes and antennae
search the air

Photo and Haiku © by Carol Raisfeld
http://home.alc.co.jp/db/owa/ph_diary?stage=show&diary_sn_in=246

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Discussing the translation
Matsuo Basho at Shrine Tada Jinja

muzan ya na kabuto no shita no kirigirisu

so pitiful--
under the helmet,
a cricket
Tr. Barnhill


. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .

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I listen
to the cricket ---
swinging door

- Shared by Myron Lysenko -
Haiku Culture Magazine, 2013


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Related words

***** . WKD : Voices of animals


***** Cicada (semi) Japan
Kigo for Late Summer


***** Autumn (aki) Japan


***** Dragonfly (tombo, tonbo) Japan
Kigo for All Autumn


***** Konchu Ryori, konchuu ryoori 昆虫料理 Insects as food in Japan


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Photos on this page unless otherwise stated by Gabi Greve.

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WASHOKU ... Japanese Food SAIJIKI


. ANIMALS in all SEASONS - SAIJIKI

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

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Independence Day

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Independence Day

***** Location: Worldwide
***** Season: see below
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

Many countries celebrate an Independence Day.
Here they will be listed in alphabetical order of the country.

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Worldwide use

Africa

Africa Day, April 15. Kigo for Spring. Kigo for Long Rains in the tropcis.



AFRICA DAY
...It reminds us of the struggle for independence...

It has been five years since every year this day of April 15, was decreed to be celebrated as Africa's Independence Day. This day is celebrated throughout Africa. It reminds Us of the struggles for independence during the last twelve months and of our African brothers and sisters that are still engaged in the fight for freedom.

For several years in the past, as must be remembered a large part of the African continent was under colonial rule. In the course of that time, colonialists have stripped the Africans of their freedom and natural rights, and used their resources for the benefit and prosperity of their own country. Even today, colonial masters speak ill of Africans by exaggerating their poverty in the press. Africans are also blamed for the aid they receive. This aid cannot fill the needs of their peoples overnight. From under such humiliation, Africans rose up to safeguard their right and started to struggle to obtain their independence. This struggle began to bear fruit after World War II.

The first African independent states conference was held in Africa in 1958.

Read more about it here
http://www.inithebabeandsuckling.com/africaday.html

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India

August 15, 1947. Kigo for Monsoon.



Read more about it in the India Saijiki
Independence Day (India) August 15, 1947

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Philippines
Independence Day, June 12, 1898
kigo for the rainy season


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Trinidad and Tobago
Date: August 31st.
Season: Tropical Wet Season

http://www.visittnt.com/

Trinidad is the Southern most island of the Caribbean, located off the East coast of Venezuela, the two countries being separated by a channel which is not more than seven miles wide.

Principal Cities: Trinidad - Port of Spain; Tobago - Scarborough
Language: English
Population1.3 million
Area: Trinidad - 4830sqkm; Tobago - 300sqkm
Climate Tropical—Average Temperature 21-32C.

Our swimmer George Bovell III won - at 2004 Olympics Athens-- Greece - for us the bronze medal in the mens swimmming in the 200 IM Swimming in a time of 1:58.80

Our National Colours are red white and black.
Our National Anthem can be heard here.
http://users.rcn.com/alana.interport/anthem.html


Gillena Cox
St James, Trinidad

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USA
July, 4th. / Fourth of July
Kigo for summer.
Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America.
Founded July 4th 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
http://www.holidays.net/independence/



The Story of America's Independence


Fourth of July - Kigo discussion at THF



Fourth of July -
the brother I never knew
gives me a hug

Angelee Deodhar
India, 2013


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Things found on the way


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HAIKU

Independence night--
through tree silhouettes,
fireworks burgeon.

Gillena Cox, 2003

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Independence's Day-
Rain of stars or
fireworks?

Vasile Moldovan, 2005

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... ... INDIA ... ...

Independence Day -
the poster of Gandhi
rather faded

Gabi Greve
Independence Day (India) August 15, 1947

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Related words

***** Emancipation Day, Trinidad and Tobago


***** Firework Display (hanabi, Japan)


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Back to the Worldkigo Index
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/

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