It is one of the favorite motifs of Japanese poetry, featured in many poems including those in "Man you shu" "Kokin Waka Shu." In Haiku and Renga "鶯/Uguisu" is one of "Kigo/seasonal word" which signify the early spring.
In poetry the bird is associate with "UME Blossoms" and appears with "Ume/plum" on "Hanafuda playing cards."
In poetry the bird is associate with "UME Blossoms" and appears with "Ume/plum" on "Hanafuda playing cards."
There is also a popular sweet named "Uguisu-Boru(Uguisu Balls)" which consists of brown and white balls meant to resemble Ume flower buds. In Haiku the bird with with its song is known as Sasako, and the song is called Sasanaki.
The beauty of its song led to the English name Japanese Nightingale, although the Japanese Bush Warbler does not sing at night as the European Nightingale does. This name is no longer commonly used.
I decided to post this as my wish for Early Spring's Arrival.
No comments:
Post a Comment