ZAI---TO--ICHI

Blind katana
Open lotus
Kill in zen
Silent precision



Geisha ghost
Enemy of lost
In dark blow
Fear is present

Reviews

[Eilis]

My husband loves Japanese movies and culture, so I’ve seen Zatoichi on film.

I was interested to see the poem with that context in mind. Whether it is meant as a portrait of the character or not, I felt like it was a faithful rendering. You’ve captured the spirit. I was always fascinated by the idea of the man.

You’re always very good at capturing a scene, and I’m pleased to see how good you are at doing it in a short form as well. Great work.

[Wayfaring stranger]

I saw movie version by Takeshi Kitano which he more famous for Yakuza movies. This version was very precise in editing scene and Zaitochi was there like super zen sword master. I was try to get into mind of this character . What i don't was able to portait was crazy humour . I want just keep focus on precision of this character. Idea of his blinded can be like some zen mastyers said , only with closed eyes you will see whole truth. I think in Japanese culture this fugure have strong position like for exmaple in British culture Robin Hood. There is also on Youtube some series from 1960 quiet more seroiuse. I also mostly enjoyed Japanese culture mostly art . I think Haruki Murakami is only living writer what i read. I am not sure if you are familiar with director Shinuya Tsukamato he make series three movies about steel man and his movies are always deeply provoking . I member on one qoute from one of his movie. Our love can destryed whole this fuc......world .
Thanks for liking this piece.

[Eilis]

I enjoy Murakami’s work immensely. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage is one of my favorite books. I haven’t heard of that director, but I’ll do a web search and find something I’m sure.

[Wayfaring stranger]

Lately I find H. Murakami he repeating his schemes in his books . But still is for me one the best authors who is on alive. Another living Japanese Author what i like is Banana Yoshimoto. Her stories are tender surfacing in deepth of human psyche. Just her novels are too short when you finaly make connections with characters story is end. Shinuya Tsukamato is more well known in Europe cause almost all his movies get award in Venice. His movies are always dark but somehow on the end .I feel like they litle bit lift me up .

[Eilis]

Someone else said the same thing to me about Murakami. I haven’t read enough of his work to feel it yet. I have to read selectively because I don’t have a lot of time to read, so there is still a lot I haven’t gotten to.

I’ll will take a look at the others you mentioned, I’m always glad to discover new writers and books. So, thanks.

[Wayfaring stranger]

I think all great artist repeat them self. Like Dickens or Dostojevski they basicaly just wrote only one book with difirent charcters and setting. And some artist they build they art on repeating like for exmaple Phillip Glass or Michael Nyman.

When i was use to lived alone. I had lot of time just for myself an also for reading . I ussualy read it like 4 books in month. Since I get married my personal time became smaller and when i will became parent probably my time will be more smaller. There is thing when you live for very long time alone you became quiet selfish and egoistic. Now i have to more think about other people then myself . There is plenty good writers who are not well known. You know that poem by Emily Dickinson about nobody.


I am nobody ! Who are you
Are you nobody too
Then there's a pair of us
Don't tell they advertise -you know


How dreary -to be somebody
How public -like a frog
To tell one's name tthe livelong june
To an admiring bog

[John Alexander McFadyen]

You have a penchant for Japanese culture and in this I am somewhat mystified. It follows your short sharp (katana), tight freeverse style. It appears to indicate greed or at least the aquisition of wealth through dominance?