ArtSpock: 2010

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

For Jim Clark

The Berwickshire hills are still at night
only the sound of sheep at dawn
carries on the wind

A young man wakes to tend his flock
the mist a drink for noonday sun
round and round the cloven hooves
Jimmy knew the sound of wind

Always called the green fields home
from near and many faraway shores
a winding canvas, he did weave
Jimmy went round the wind

A shy smile donned his face in light
every circuit knew him well
dreaming of rolling hills at night
Jimmy, who rode the wind

Jimmy, Who Rode the Wind

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Even

Even a wise man can fail, Even a fool has a moment of brilliance. Boldness wins in the face of death, But negligence -- ha ha! Loud laughter!

Composed by the Zen monk Sengai (1750-1837)

on a painting of go players.

The Widow of Hinodeya

Print 10-3, Kiseido Publishing; Tokyo Japan

Oban print by Utamaro, published by Omiya Gonkuro ca. 1796.

The article is by William Pinckard

This print is titled Komei Bijin Rokkasen (Six Famous Beauties). The woman here was one of the most famous beauties in Edo. She is depicted just stepping out of the bath and with her eyebrows shaved. Although her name is not given, it can be deduced from the cartouche in the upper left. The rising sun there identifies the shop, Hinodeya (Rising-Sun Shop), owned by her deceased husband, and the go board with the clipping of hair (ke in Japanese) beneath it imply goke, meaning widow.