Thursday, April 22, 2010

Cicadas

*



Stillness
Piercing the rocks
the sound of cicadas

Basho Matsuo




The clear toned cicadas
have exhausted their voices
on the hillside
when again
the evening bell startles




To the sound
of water tumbling
beneath rocks
in the pine shade
cicada voices
coolly respond


Princess Shikishi
C12th High Priestess
of Kamo Shrine
Kyoto







Images from my times in Kyoto, Japan


*

24 comments:

  1. Such serene and beautiful images. piercing rocks is a good description by Basho Matsuo (cicadas can be extremely loud). a lovely thoughtful post Delwyn.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just want to lay a blanket on one of those fluffy lawns and enjoy the scenery. Beautiful post Delwyn!
    I have never had the pleasure of hearing a cicada.

    ReplyDelete
  3. In This Moment
    Where I Was Born
    Tonight My Only Friends
    Are The Cicadas

    Nedla

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love cicadas. What a lovely serene looking place.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such beautiful-peaceful-manicured-naturalness. Even the rain gutters are artistic in design. All the shades of green, the shadows and the music of the cicadas...all so calming!
    ♥...Wanda

    ReplyDelete
  6. The serenity is palpable in these lovely shots Delwyn. I was a little confused at first, assuming we were in Australia ... and wondering at the lush green, deep shade, and architecture. Finally I got my bearings and thoroughly enjoyed a little stopover in Japan with you.

    I think I may have missed a calling to be a contemplative ... a monk ... You?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I remember their singing from my years in Texas.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It looks to be a very calm peaceful place, with the sound of running water. I have never had the pleasure of hearing Cicadas singing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the lushness and beauty here! The Japanese sure know how to create a calming environment. Thanks for taking me there.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, how I love, love, love the song of the Cicadas! What beautiful photos to illustrate your words, Delwyn!! Blessings, and Happy Earth Day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. so tranquil Delwyn, thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. They do make a gorgeous and loud orchestra. I can almost hear them know... Happy Earth Day.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello Lori

    the gardens are superb, each with their own tranquil calm and restfulness...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Alexis

    tempting, but these smooth mossy areas are special moss gardens, hence the gorgeous textures...I saw a sign in a Japanese Garden that said

    VIP

    Very Important Moss

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Alden

    I have cicada singing happening in my ears all day long whether the cicadas are out and chirping or not...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Ellen

    these are different gardens in Kyoto, enchanting places...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Wanda

    yes the gardens are all beautifully cared for, revered in fact...

    I didn't notice the gutter and went looking for it...it looks like copper.

    You would love these serene gardens Wanda

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Bonnie

    Just a quick mini trip to Japan today...

    I think I could be too, but then again...not a celibate one, I have loved raising children...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Meri

    so it seems that cicadas are only in the warmer climates. What about katydids - do they sing...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Ann

    another one who has missed the music of hundreds of cicadas...the ones on my walk are very mellow at present, with lower throaty singing, but they can really screech on hot summer nights.

    I have been in the NZ forest and had them sing so loudly that you can hardly concentrate...

    Now I have then singing all day long as I have a little tinnitus!

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello Cindy

    Gardens are an art form in Japan and there is such beauty and diversity.

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Marion

    I imagine you have plenty of singing in the summer too.
    thank you for the kind wishes and enjoy the dragonflies...another Japanese emblem...

    happy days

    ReplyDelete
  23. HI Laura

    thanks for calling by and listening...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  24. HI Laura

    thanks for calling by and listening...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.