Friday, February 15, 2008

Hatsu Ginko in Gion


Cold, sunny. Snowflakes and ice pellets blow into town from the north. Peter, our host, (left, in kimono) leads us on a stroll through his home patch of Miyagawa-cho. Maikos pass. New Year decorations, still displayed. We pray for the prosperity of Hailstone at the Ebisu Shrine. Mari and Mayumi, also in kimono; Tito, in Korean dress. Our guests from Ireland, Sean (extreme right) and Junko, take in the little alleys of wooden eaves, the dainty willows, many still bearing last year's leaves. We know that in a couple of months they'll be replaced by the viridian leaflets that every year herald Kyoto's cherry-time.

Young men pounding rice
'Call an ambulance'
They joke
(Moya)

Our glee
each time a maiko passes -
scattering snow (Mari)

Longing hot sake

While maiko stroll by
...
Kites overhead (Peter)

Viewing flying gulls
From a boat-ceilinged room -
A gift of yore (Mayumi)

One hailstone
Melts into
My jotted poem ...
Soon, equally gone. (Tito)