Basho and the sound of water
January 21st, 2007 by levende
Ancient pond unstirred
Into which a frog has plunged,
A splash was heard.Basho, 17th C Japanese haiku poet (translation by Kenneth Yasuda)
Probably the most well-known of its kind throughout history, this haiku refers to quietness being broken by action taking place. The result is a sound.
We do not see anything. It could be dark, as the frogs approach the pond. We could be sitting in a place where we cannot see. So we must listen instead: The sound of water - the splash - indicates something. It evokes memories. Memories rooted within us, so deeply rooted that we instantly imagine the little waves in the pond, caused by frogs jumping in.
One Response to “Basho and the sound of water”
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The splash (although the splash I’m about to share with you is quite subtle) reminds me of this silent movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4WWMmWgM8M
I filmed it at Assistens Kirkegaarden - a park-like cemetary close to my home. The final resting place of prominent Danes such as fairyteller Hans Christian Andersen and philopher Soren Kirkegaard (yes - his surname does mean cemetary).
I often take a walk there to refresh my mind - and a while ago I stumpled upon this bassin, where the brokes faucet leaks drops of eternity that slowly and silently - yet surely - create subtle waves of eternity.