Introduction
Poetry album " In the Wake of Basho, Bestiary in the Rock Garden " is written on behalf of the errant samurai Haruki Okami (1621-1695) (1*), a great admirer of the poetry of Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) (2*). He goes on a pilgrimage to the places of the poet’s last journey, and he ends his life by committing junshi (a kind of seppuku) (3*) on October 12, 1695, in Osaka, exactly one year after the great poet found his death there.
Not much is known of Okami. He was born in a family of an impoverished samurai on Kyushu Island and received the initial education and upbringing in keeping with the spirit of traditional Shintoism and Buddhism, however, at the age of 16 years old he was baptized as a Catholic together with his father and other members of the family, having received a Christian name Jorge. Later on, for his carriage and bravery, the Portuguese Jesuit monks gave him the nickname Lobo (this is his Japanese last name Okami translated into Portuguese directly, which means “wolf”), and Jorge Lobo (or George Lobo) became his new Christian name and also his pen name. He was an age mate and companion-in-arms of Amakusa Shiro (1621- 1638) (4*) – the spiritual leader of the revolt of the Catholic Christians in Shimabara. After suppression of the revolt and deaths without exception of all the rebels, Okami, who had miraculously escaped, managed to ran away to the Portuguese colony Macao (5*), where he lived over half a century and practiced Oriental medicine. In particular, he was engaged in acupuncture and treatment with herbal infusions, as several generations of his maternal ancestors did before him. In addition to the Portuguese people, his patients, neighbors, and friends were other Catholics: Japanese and Chinese, and also English Catholics escaped to Macao because of the religious persecution of the British Crown. The English Catholics introduced Okami to the works of William Shakespeare (1564-1616), who, according to their beliefs, was pretty much a recusant as they were (6*). In 1645 he married an English woman, Susanne Smith, who was a daughter of a local Roman Catholic priest, and they lived together married to each other for over 40 years. They did not have children. During the years of his expatriation Okami learned the Portuguese, Spanish, English, Latin, and Chinese languages, he accumulated an extensive library and collection of European artwork, pursued literary translation from Chinese (Lao Tse, Confucius, Zhuang Zhou) and English (the sonnets of Shakespeare), read a lot of ancient Creek writers in Latin translations and the original works of the ancient Roman writers, continued mastering his art of Kenjutsu sword play (7*), and even opened his own martial art school in the colony where he had many students. Okami also traveled a lot as an interpreter and a physician on shipboard to the lands of China, India, Philippines, New Spain (Mexico), Portugal, Spain, England, Ireland, France, and Italy. Supposedly, he met in Vatican with Pope Innocent XI (1676-1689) on a Portuguese delegation. All these years Okami was missing his native land very much, and was eager to get any and all the messages that managed to reach him from Japan, which had closed its boarders tightly as a shell with the firmly-closed valves (8*). While living in Macao he heard the rumors of a poetic gift of Matsuo Basho. He bought several books with the collections of verses of the master from the Chinese merchants who traded with Japan, and he started translating them into Chinese and English. After his wife died in 1689, Okami, having sensed his own death approaching, secretly returned to his native land at the age of 68 years old, and under the guise of a ronin (9*) began wandering around and visiting Buddhist and Shinto temples of Japan (10*), dipping himself into the long-forgotten world of the old legends, myths, and stories. Out of the blue, he learnt about the existence of a secret sect of the Catholic Christians - Kakure Kirishitan (11*), and he got in touch with its leaders. He also succeeded to become accepted to the remote circle of the Basho’s apprentices. He visited often the famous banana hut (12*), and he even saw and heard his idol from afar, but he did not dare to speak with him. After Basho’s death he decided to follow the trail of the poet’s last journey writing some poetic notes along the way, a kind of a non-traditional hokku (13*) As like as not, he thought and wrote at first in English; this language became almost a native one to him in the course of the years. Then he translated his own writings into Japanese; this gave his poetic style à certain European turn. His poetry is as a river that is a continuous flow of awareness: it is the chased moment of the sad enchantment of beauty, and at the same time it is an imprint of frailty of the outside world (14*). All 46 (15*) tiercets are joined into 15 traditional rocks of a Japanese garden (16*), three rocks in each tiercet (17*), with the exception of the last one, which has four tiercets (18*). The general subject of his poetry is the animal world of Japan against the background of all four seasons (19*), which in form reminds a medieval bestiary (20*), which in its turn also has parallels with the comparable ancient Chinese tractates devoted to the real and fantasy flora and fauna. Okami’s poetry, apart from the pure love, landscape, and philosophical lyrics, is a skillfully decoded Christian dzen (21*), in which the Catholic mysticism (22*), anitya and wabi-sabi (23*), contemplation (24*), yugen (25*), and satori (26*) are intertwined subtly. At that, everything works at the level of the subliminal consciousness of the author, and therefore, it is absolutely seamless from the point of view of perception by any reader, despite his or her nationality and faith. Possibility of such cross-cultural interaction and latitude in religion comes from the special set of mind of the Japanese people, the ability to absorb all the different and, at the first glance, hardly compatible elements by smoothing out the rough edges. Owing to the multicultural and multilingual essence and polytheism of Okami, his poetry is polyphonic and allows contemplating the outside world in its diversity of colors, and also in respect of cultural and theological connotations. Thereby, the author does not try to imitate the great poet, - that is essentially impossible, - but merely attempts to project himself into the poet’s character, namely, to look at the world through the poet’s eyes, without obstructing the view of his own vision.
Notes:
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(1*) Haruki Okami is of course a fictitious character. His life is a compilation of the fate of that generation of the Japanese people, who fell under the press of the religious persecutions of the Catholic Christians at the very beginning of the Edo epoch (1603- 1868) (27*), and who were forced to leave their native land or go into deep hiding in order to save their faith and lives. The main prototype of Haruki Okami’s character is a real historical figure, namely, Hasekura Rokuemon Tsunenaga (1571—1622); he was a Christian samurai, the first Japanese man, who visited Europe with a diplomatic mission. In 1613, Date Masamune, daimyo of the city of Sendai, sent a body of deputies as his legation on a mission to Spain in order to establish trade, political, and spiritual connections with Madrid and Vatican. Hasekura Tsunenaga, his vassal, was put in charge of the mission. He crossed the Pacific Ocean, reached Acapulco in Mexico, and then went from the sea port of Veracruz to Madrid in Spain via Havanna, and after that to Rome in Italy, thus, becoming the first Japanese man, who crossed the Atlantic Ocean. In Madrid he was favorably received by the king of Spain and Portugal Philip III, who introduced Hasekura Tsunenaga to his own spiritual father for performing the Catholic baptismal service. On the way to Italy the ship of the Japanese ambassador had to make an involuntary stop in the French port of Saint-Tropez because of the bad storm. The Japanese were never before seen in Europe, and besides, they were Catholics. They made a great sensation in Saint-Tropez, and the noise of this boom reached as far as Germany. Upon their arrival to Italy Hasekura Tsunenaga gained a personal audience with Pope Paul V (1605-1621), who promised to send to Japan in the nearest future as many Christian missioners as possible. However, when Hasekura Tsunenaga came back to his native land 7 years later, he found out to his horror that the results of his diplomatic and spiritual mission and the huge collection of the Christian artifacts, including the portrait of the Holy Father, were something no one wanted in Japan, and that his life and the lives of his family and servants were in danger; the new rulers of Japan had proclaimed Christianity and Christians outlawed. Just in several days of his return the first public executions started. (28*) The next Japanese diplomatic mission arrived to Europe only two centuries after (29*)
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(6*) William Shakespeare was born to a Catholic recusant family. Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, descended from a staunch Catholic family, and his father, John Shakespeare, was listed as a Catholic recusant.
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ROCK 1
Deadly Premonition
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The leaden mirror of the bay at the end of a short grey day. Ripples. Splash.
An insatiable pelican devours a fish. Ready for takeoff anew.
I make up for lost time, breathing deeply before I die ...
Sore
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A red rockfish on the wet sand, its viscera ripped out by a razor sharp hook.
Violently shaking in death agony, as it were after a painful kanshi.
Tell me why have you not graced me with your love ?
New Year’s
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A banana palm tree wears a heavy hat made of snow. Freezing.
The red cardinal rests on Buddha’s shoulder. Weary.
One more century is gone, is that so ?
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ROCK 2
Journey down the Yangtze River
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The paper lanterns are floating down the river. Dancing like fireflies in the waves.
A seagull’s alarming shriek escapes the milky white fog. Echoing.
The night is short as life itself ...
Sounds of Love
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A woodpecker perched on a lonely pine-tree. Thunking far off.
This is how my aching heart beats in my chest
When I think of my ladybird ...
Memory Escapes
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A nimble grass lizard escaped having shed its tail.
For all it is worth I want to forget you,
But I cannot ...
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ROCK 3
Wintertime in the mountains
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A little mountain monkey powdered with the first humble sprinkle of snow.
Sitting in the water curled up in a pitiful ball. Sad eyes.
What a comical piece of work man is ...
In a Summer Garden
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A frog is trying so hard to jump over a towering garden wall .
A leap. Another one. All in vain. And yet again.
I am reaching for the stars ...
Incomprehensible
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I fed a cat. I gave it some fresh water. I petted it.
It looks into my eyes and meows plaintively.
Is there a way to understand a woman ?
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ROCK 4
Springtime
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A wounded swallow was the very last one to fly south.
I watch it disappear beyond the wet snowflakes.
Springtime is in my heart ...
The Song of Songs
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Mount Fuji. Snows. A pack of wolves is howling at the fool moon.
It makes one’s blood run cold. Not my blood though:
My heart is filling up with light ...
A Roof above One’s Head
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A turtle has its own home. It is a heavy load to carry around for the poor thing.
A homeless person’s home is the Universe: light-handed always,
And always there is a place to shelter ...
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ROCK 5
Alone in the Wide World
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A cricket has begun its serenade behind the stove. Calling for a girlfriend.
God has not granted me such a seductive voice.
I will die a lonely man ...
Poorer than a Church Mouse
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A mouse made its home in my hut. Scratching in the corner. Seeking something.
Run fast and far away from here, silly, to the Temple on the hill.
You will find your living better there ...
Heavenly Crane
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A chickadee is drinking heaven’s dew off my hand.
I am looking up to the clear sky:
Waiting for a crane ...
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ROCK 6
A Midday Meditation
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A mamushi pit viper slithered its way into my rock garden at midday.
It is coiled in a circle as enso. Basking in the sun.
I am absorbing wisdom ...
Where There's a Will, There's a Way
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A wild boar charges all out straight through a bamboo thicket.
After a while this clearing turns into a path.
It’s time to continue my journey ...
No Man Knows When His Hour will Come
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A yellow tiger is hiding in high withered grass. Not a sound.
A hunter is also waiting in the wings. No flinching.
Patience is more than a virtue ...
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ROCK 7
Autumn Fire
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An old sakura tree hosts the squirrels playing tag in the sun.
Their fiery red tails and leaves are blazing as flame.
Autumn sets my heart on fire ...
Vanity of Vanities
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Two hares are hopping on the road caught by the long moonbeams.
No way. I shall not be chasing after them.
You cannot run from yourself ...
A Moment of Bliss
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I caught a glimpse of a giant salamander in the depth of a mountain stream.
It flapped its tail as if it was waiving farewell.
We will not meet again. Never ever ...
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ROCK 8
Irreversible
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A young frolic fox is mouse hunting in the open field of snow.
Jumping so strong and frisky. So gracefully.
My youth has gone forever ...
Metamorphoses of Beauty
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A brown toad is fancying its reflection in a mirror carp.
What a serene enchantment of a village pond.
Gazing at the water ...
Insomnia
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Suddenly, my faithful dog wailed in anguish amidst the night.
It is scared of death, a poor soul.
I am ready ...
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ROCK 9
Slowly but Surely
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Up the steep wall a snail is moving slowly towards the top of the rock.
While I took a snakelike path and ran up there short of breath,
It is there already ...
The Samurai’s Daydream
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A butterfly took off my head fluttering its gentle wings up the starry sky,
Bringing a night Zephyr as mighty as typhoon to me.
The Divine Wind ...
Little is the Light
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A firefly, like Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is tormented by the question:
To light or not to light? To be or not?
I navigate towards its beacon ...
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ROCK 10
A Little Body
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In the hour of danger a humpback raccoon is akin to a fearless tiger.
Not for the stripes on the tail, but for the heart of a warrior.
This is what samurai say ...
I shall not Lament my Fate
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A great white egret on the shore stands lonely as a graceful reed.
It is so dignified. Enfolded in silence.
I shall trample my pride ...
At the Gates of Eternity
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A black and red gamecock brandishes its silver spurs clinking proudly,
As a young samurai with katana on the eve of a mortal combat.
The Bushido Code I know by heart ...
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ROCK 11
Over There Near the Sun
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I saw a small skylark flying high up in the blue sky.
It invoked the memory of my unborn son.
Forgive me, my darling child ...
Godsend
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The white flakes of swans sifted down on the wet earth.
Take it slow looking at the calendar:
This is winter ...
Summer Elegy
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At dawn a cuckoo’s cry is utterly heart-rending. Summer is here.
I will put a bowl of rice for her on my porch.
Death takes no bribes ...
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ROCK 12
Still Waters Run Deep
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A hovering pied kingfisher above the wide mouth of the reflective river.
An old fisherman in his rickety dinghy, as if he plays dead.
Beware not to get on the hook ...
A Morning Prayer to a Crow on the Roof
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Oh, Eight-Span Crow, the messenger of the High Gods,
I am humbly asking you for the mere:
Save the Rising Sun of Japan ...
The Wake in the Sacred Forest
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Oh, Wren the Guardian of the Gates of the Nether World,
Sing me for the last time your very best song,
But let it be not as short as your tail ...
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ROCK 13
My Chance
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I will not give away a frostbitten crane for a thousand paper ones,
Even if I am stricken by the wicked, wicked disease.
I will nurse this crane until it can fly ...
Divine Providence
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Oh, Lady Wagtail, you are kin to Aphrodite of the Beautiful Buttocks,
Teach me the secrets of the great Art of Love Making
As once you taught the Gods ...
A Winter Sketch
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A noble ermine is painting a wondrous haiga on the rice paper of snow
With the brush being the black tip of its white tail.
Oh, Master, your art is forevermore ...
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ROCK 14
A Summer Night's Dream
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All at once the cicadas burst into song in the garden, breaking silence asunder.
Oh, what a bliss! Finally, the long waited summer has come.
I will sleep like a baby till morning ...
A Spring Morning
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Sakura came into bloom with the pink clouds of cherry blossoms. Stillness.
All of a sudden, a plain bush warbler broke into trilling song.
Hark ...
A Song of Praise
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Oh, King of the Eels, Odysseus of the unknown kingdoms beneath the waves.
Thank you for visiting our humble waters.
Your meat is beyond all praise ...
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ROCK 15
A Sorrowful Song
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Oh, Panda of the Beautiful Dark Eyes, as you are playing a bamboo flute,
Sing me a joyful song of the mountains where you lived,
In the wild, and not in the cage ...
I am not Asking Much of You
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Oh, Bato Kannon , the Mare as White as Snow, the Mother of all Beings,
Wish me the very best of luck, Godspeed ,
And a bowl of rice for lunch ...
Upon the Shield
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Do not hide your face behind a great shield as a crab does.
Glorious samurai, you have nothing to be ashamed of.
The Bushido Code is not a mere name ...
New Year’s Wishful Thinking
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Upon drinking off a huge cask of sake I will go to war slaying Yamata-no-Orochi.
I will cut the dragon into tiny pieces and eat it with chopsticks, as sushi.
What a hoot this will be when I wake up in the morning ...
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Yury Slobodenyuk in close collaboration with Mrs. Elena Sheverdinov
Copyright- 2013
P.S.
Original text from Hamlet (Act I, Scene II):
"O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew."
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