ランタナと 越すこの夏に 思い馳せ As lantanas blossom / Thinking about this summer / Here am I

Lantana has become noticeable here and there. Lantana is a charming plant with small flowers that gather and bloom round like a ball of hands. It begins to bloom around May, withstands the heat of summer, blooms many flowers, and continues to bloom until around November. When lantana begins to bloom, I am overwhelmed with the feeling that I will spend another hot summer with it. Its Japanese name is “Shichihenge” (Seven Changes), derived from the fact that the flowers change their bright colors. Lantana was brought to Japan in the late Edo period for ornamental purposes. The flowers attract many butterflies, and the beauty of the flowers themselves makes them popular among some enthusiasts.
Recently, lantana has become more noticeable because wild lantana has started to grow from small gaps in stone walls and roadsides, forming splendid clusters with lovely flowers in summer. In Japan’s outdoors, they often wither in winter without human management, but in tropical to subtropical climates, they can increase from self-seeding unless properly managed, becoming a “plant that should not be planted.” Lantana is selected as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species. In Japan, it can grow year-round in places like the Ogasawara Islands and Okinawa, and it can become wild around residential areas and ruins, designated as an invasive species to prevent ecological damage.

ランタナがあちらこちらで目につく様になりました。ランタナは小さな花が集まって手鞠のように丸く咲く、かわいらしい植物です。5月くらいから咲き始め、夏の暑さにも負けず、沢山の花を咲かせ、11月頃まで咲き続けます。ランタナが咲き始めると、今年もあの暑い夏を共に越すんだなあと、ひとしおの感懐に襲われます。和名はシチヘンゲ(七変化)と言い、鮮やかな色の花をつけ、その色が次第に変化することに由来します。日本には、江戸時代末期頃、観賞用に持ち込まれました。花には多くのチョウが集まり、花自体の美しさも相まって見応えがあり、一部の愛好家には人気な花でした。
ここ最近目立つ様になったのは、野生化したランタナが、石垣や道路脇の僅かな隙間から生え出し、夏には立派な塊になって可愛い花を咲かせるからです。日本の野外では、人の管理がないと冬に枯れることが多いですが、特に熱帯~亜熱帯気候の土地では、よほどきちんと管理していないと、こぼれ種で増えてしまい、「植えてはいけない花」になってしまいます。世界の侵略的外来種ワースト100に選定されていて、日本でも、小笠原諸島、沖縄などでは周年生育が可能で、人家周辺やその跡地で野生化している場合があり、生態系被害防止外来種に指定されています。

空高く 香りを放つ バラの花 A rose in full bloom / Its fragrance wafts high in the sky / A beacon of love

We learned about it in high school world history, but there was a conflict called the Wars of the Roses. The Wars of the Roses, from 1455 to 1485, were a civil war over the throne between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that erupted in England after the end of the Hundred Years’ War fought between England and France. The House of York, symbolized by the white rose, and the House of Lancaster, symbolized by the red rose, fought fiercely over the succession to the throne. However, as a result of the war, the House of Lancaster emerged victorious, and thus the red rose became the national flower of England. For England, the rose symbolizes the unification of the country after intense strife.
There is a rose variety called “York and Lancaster.” This rose blooms in various patterns on a single plant, sometimes striped with white and pink, sometimes half-and-half, or sometimes mixed. The name of this rose is inspired by the white rose of the House of York and the red rose of the House of Lancaster, named after the historical union of the two houses. Such is the deep relationship between roses and England that, in 1961, the “English Rose,” considered the masterpiece of roses, was born. The English Rose is a general term for roses developed by British breeder David Austin, combining the strengths of modern roses and old roses. It merges the longevity of modern roses with the fragrance of old roses and is beloved by rose enthusiasts around the world, as well as by many others, as a garden rose.

ドクダミの 花が咲いて 梅雨近し Dokudami flowers bloom / Its whiteness is beautiful / The rainy season is near

With the rainy season gradually approaching, it is the time when the white flowers of the dokudami bloom. It reminds me of my great-aunt, who lived with us when I was a child, picking the flowers and leaves of the dokudami to make dokudami tea and tincture. Whenever we got bitten by mosquitoes, applying the dokudami tincture was immediately effective, working better than today’s insect bite ointments. I have many memories of dokudami in various situations, and its flower language, “white recollection,” truly embodies this meaning.
Despite its rather ominous name, “dokudami” comes from the idea of being an antidote to poison, with “doku” meaning “poison” and “dami” meaning “to suppress.” Dokudami is commonly seen all over Japan and is also widely distributed in China and Southeast Asia. The stems and leaves have a unique odor, and the plant often grows in shady, damp places, giving it a somewhat negative impression. However, it has long been used under the name “juuyaku” (ten medicines) for its diuretic effects, prevention of arteriosclerosis, fever reduction, and detoxification, making it a versatile medicinal plant.
The pure white flowers of dokudami that bloom during the rainy season are delicate and charming. In the West, double-flowered varieties and variegated dokudami are cultivated as ornamental plants. In the UK, variegated varieties are known as “chameleon” and are very popular.

ぼつぼつ梅雨入りの時期になりましたが、この頃に白い花を咲かせるのがドクダミです。子供の頃、一緒に住んでいた大叔母がドクダミの花や葉を摘んで、ドクダミ茶やドクダミチンキを作っていたのを思い出します。ヤブ蚊などに刺されるとすぐにそのドクダミチンキを塗ると効果覿面。今の虫刺されの薬よりよく効きました。そのほかいろんな場面でドクダミのことを思い出しますが、ドクダミの花言葉、「白い追憶」はまさしくそういう意味だと思います。
それにしても、ドクダミとはいかにも毒々しい名前ですが,ドクダミは毒に効果があるという意味で、「毒矯み」=毒を抑える、が名前の由来になったようです。ドクダミは全国至るところで普通に見られる植物で、日本だけでなく中国や東南アジアに広く分布しています。茎や葉には独特の臭気があり、日陰のじめじめしたところにも群生していることが多いので、あまりよい印象を受けないのですが、古くから「十薬」の名で利尿作用、動脈硬化の予防、解熱や解毒など万能薬として利用されてきました。
入梅のころに咲くドクダミの白い清楚な花は可憐で、欧米では観賞用として八重咲き品種や斑入り葉の五色ドクダミが栽培されています。英国などでも斑入り葉のものは‘カメレオン’と名づけられ、とても人気があります。

春の道 ラーメン店で ちょっと一服 Spring road / Taking a short break / At the ramen shop

The popularity of ramen shows no signs of stopping. Wherever you go in Japan, there are ramen shops, and each shop has its unique flavor, so there’s rarely a miss. Recently, it’s not uncommon to encounter foreigners at these shops. Ramen has become a popular dish worldwide, and the word ‘ramen’ is generally understood even in English.
Who was the first person to eat ramen, and when? There was an interesting article in the Yomiuri Shimbun. Traditionally, it was thought to be Tokugawa Mitsukuni, known as Mito Komon, during the Edo period. However, recent research has traced it back to a Zen monk, a prince of Emperor Go-Daigo, in the 1300s during the Nanboku-cho period. This discovery was made because the term ‘keitai-men,’ believed to be the root of Chinese noodles, was found in the monk’s poetry. This new insight is drawing attention as a fresh perspective in the study of the history of the nation’s food.
The term ‘keitai-men’ is quite intriguing. At first, I misunderstood it as ‘portable noodles,’ thinking it referred to modern instant ramen. Since I always thought that instant ramen was invented by Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods, I considered this a major discovery. However, ‘keitai-men’ actually refers to noodles similar to today’s kishimen, indicating the form of the noodles.
Regarding the origin of the word ‘ramen,’ there are various theories, but it seems to come from the Chinese ‘lamian,’ meaning ‘pulled noodles.’ However, it is also said that the term ‘ramen’ became widespread with the release of the world’s first instant ramen, ‘Chicken Ramen,’ by Nissin Foods in 1958 (Showa 33). Instant ramen became a global hit as ‘magic ramen.’ Since then, the annual production of instant ramen in Japan has continued to increase, reaching about 5.723 billion servings in 2018. Invented in Japan and recognized worldwide, instant ramen has even found its way into space. In 2005, instant ramen developed with the participation of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) was carried aboard the space shuttle as the first ‘space ramen.

ラーメン人気は止まることを知りません。日本国中どこに行ってもラーメン店があり、どの店に入っても、その店独特の味があり、まず当たり外れはありません。最近は店で外国人に出会うのもしばしばです。ラーメンは今や世界中でも人気のメニューだそうで、英語でも「ramen」でだいたい通じます。
そのラーメンを最初に食べたのは誰で、いつなのか。読売新聞に面白い記事が載っていました。従来は江戸時代、水戸黄門として知られる徳川光圀とされてきましたが、最新の研究で1300年代の南北朝時代、後醍醐天皇の皇子とされる禅僧にまで遡ることが分かったそうです。中華麺のルーツとされる経帯麺の文言が禅僧の詩に見つかったためで、国民食の歴史研究に一石を投じる新見解として注目されているそうです。
経帯麺と言うのが面白いですね。最初は携帯麵かと勘違いしましたので、今で言うインスタントラーメンかと思いました。インスタントラーメンの発明者は日清食品の創業者安藤百福さんとばかり思っていましたので、これは大発見だと思ったわけです。実は、経帯麺とは今のきしめんのような麵のことで、麺の形態を表す言葉だったわけです。
ところでラーメンの語源には諸説あるようですが、中国の「拉麺=引っ張る麺」が起源のようです。しかし、ラーメンの呼称を広めたのは、1958年(昭和33年)に日清食品が発売した世界初のインスタントラーメン「チキンラーメン」であるとも言われています。インスタントラーメンは「魔法のラーメン」として世界で爆発的にヒットしました。その後、日本国内でのインスタントラーメンの年間生産数は増加し続け、2018年には約57億2,300万食に達しました。日本で発明され、世界中で認められたインスタントラーメンは、活躍の場を宇宙にまで広げ、2005年、JAXA(宇宙航空研究開発機構)が開発に参加したインスタントラーメンが、初の「宇宙食ラーメン」としてスペースシャトルに搭載されました。

丸窓に 新緑溢れる 祐斎亭 In the round window / Fresh greenery is overflowing / Yusai-tei

From Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto, heading upstream along the Katsura River and climbing towards the park, you will find ‘Yusai-tei’. Located on the site of the former imperial villa ‘Kameyamaden’ built about 800 years ago, Yusai-tei was originally constructed as the restaurant inn ‘Chidori’ during the Meiji era. It has been renovated by dyeing artist Yusai Okuda into a dyeing art gallery. Since opening to the public in 2021, it has been cherished by visitors from around the world as a special place to enjoy the beauty of Japan, where traditional and modern elements merge.
You can also view and observe the creation process of ‘Yume Kouro-zome’, a dyeing work conceived by Yusai. This ‘Yume Kouro-zome’ is a mysterious dye that changes color depending on the light, and you can see how it transforms when exposed to light. Additionally, the beautiful location borrowing the scenery of Arashiyama is captivating, with the Oi River flowing right in front, and you can enjoy the picturesque view of houseboats passing by.
Whether it’s the fresh green leaves sprouting in spring, the dense greenery of summer, or the early autumn where patches of red and yellow begin to mix, the scenery viewed through the round window and reflections is truly breathtaking, showcasing various expressions that change with the seasons.

京都嵐山の渡月橋から桂川沿を川上に向い、公園の方に登って行ったところに「祐斎亭(ゆうさいてい)」があります。「祐斎亭」は、約800年前に造営された離宮の跡地「亀山殿跡」にあり、明治時代に料理旅館「千鳥」という料理旅館として建てられたものを、染色作家の奥田祐斎氏がリノベーションした染色アートギャラリーです。2021年に一般公開されて以来、伝統とモダンな要素が融合した日本の美を楽しむ特別な場所として、世界中からの訪問者に愛されています。
祐斎氏が考案した「夢こうろ染」の作品も展示され、制作の場も見学させていただけます。この「夢こうろ染 」は光によって染め色が変化する大変不思議な染め物で、実際に光を当てて変化する様子も見せていただけます。また、嵐山を借景とした美しいロケーションが魅力で、すぐ目の前には大堰川(おおいがわ)が流れ、屋形船が行き交う風流な光景も楽しめます。
爽やかな青もみじが萌える春や、鬱蒼と茂る濃緑の夏、ところどころに赤や黄色が混ざり始める早秋など、季節によって変わる様々な表情を、丸窓やリフレクション越しに見る景色はまさに絶景としか言いようがありません。

そよと揺れ マツバウンラン なよなよし Swaying gently / Matsuba-unran / So delicate and slender

When the cherry blossoms have finished and the wisteria flowers are past their peak, you may see purple flowers blooming in abundance along the edges of farm roads, creating a landscape that looks as if it is covered in a light purple haze. These are Matsuba-unran (pine-leaved toadflax. From now until early summer, they will grow stems about 30-50 cm tall from the ground, with numerous light purple flowers blooming at the tips of the branched stems. Matsubaunran is not a plant that has long been native to Japan; it is an introduced species that came from overseas. Its origin is North America, and the first record of it being collected in Japan was in 1941 in the Mukōjima area of Fushimi Ward, Kyoto. Since then, it has rapidly spread nationwide and can now be seen throughout Japan except for Hokkaido. Because its flowers resemble those of the native coastal plant Unran (Linaria japonica) and its leaves are as thin as pine needles, it came to be called Matsuba-unran. The most notable feature of Matsuba-unran is its strong reproductive ability, allowing it to spread quickly. Although the flowers are cute in appearance, it is often treated as a weed. The flowers are very small, about 1 cm, and the plant’s height ranges from 30 cm to 50 cm. Its slender appearance sways gracefully in the wind, making it quite striking. Recently, more people are planting it in their gardens for ornamental purposes, but if it takes root in the garden, it can become difficult to remove.

サクラの花も終わり、フジの花も盛りを過ぎた頃、農道の脇に紫色の花がいっせいに咲き、あたかも淡い紫色の霞がかかったような風景をつくることがあります。マツバウンラン(松葉海蘭)です。これから初夏にかけて高さ30~50cmほどの茎を地表から立ち上げて、枝分かれしたそれぞれの先端に淡い紫色の花を多数咲かせます。マツバウンランは古くから日本に自生していた植物ではなく、海外から日本へやってきた帰化植物です。原産地は北アメリカで、1941年に京都市伏見区向島で採集された記録が最初とされています。それから急速に全国に広がり、今では、北海道を除く日本全域で見られる様になりました。古くから日本の海岸に自生しているウンラン(海蘭)の花に似ていることと、葉が松葉の様に細いことからマツバウンランと呼ばれる様になりました。マツバウンランの最大の特徴は、繁殖力が強く、あっという間に広がるので、花の見た目はかわいいですが、雑草として扱われることが多い植物です。花はとても小さく1cmほどで、草丈は30cmから50cmほどと、すらっとしていて風でユラユラとする姿が印象的です。最近は観賞用とし庭に植え込む向きも増えていますが、庭に入り込むと、駆除が面倒になることがあります。

花園に 母娘(おやこ)語らう 車椅子 In the flower garden / Mother and daughter conversing / In a wheelchair

According to the “Simplified Life Table (Reiwa 4)” by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the average life expectancy of Japanese people in 2022 (Reiwa 4) is 81.05 years for men and 87.09 years for women. In 1955, the average life expectancy was 63.60 years for men and 67.75 years for women, both in their 60s. This means that in the 67 years, the average life expectancy has increased by about 17 to 20 years. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare estimates that the average life expectancy in 2040 will be 83.27 years for men and 89.63 years for women, predicting that the average life expectancy of Japanese people will continue to increase.
The reasons for the continuous increase in the average life expectancy of Japanese people include:
1. Advances in medical technology,
2. Decrease in infant mortality rate,
3. Improvement in living environments.
However, as the average life expectancy has increased, various problems that were not previously experienced have arisen. One example is dementia. When the average life expectancy was in the 60s, many people died before developing dementia. However, with the average life expectancy reaching the 80s, it is natural that more people will develop dementia as brain functions decline. This brings the issue of healthy life expectancy into focus. Healthy life expectancy is an indicator that represents the average period a person is expected to live in good health. In Reiwa 1, the healthy life expectancy for Japanese people was calculated to be 72.68 years for men and 75.38 years for women. Given that the average life expectancy in Reiwa 4 is 81.05 years for men and 87.09 years for women, there is a gap of about 9 to 12 years between average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. Healthy life expectancy can be extended through dietary habits, exercise habits, and quality sleep. These actions also contribute to daily health maintenance, making it important to engage in them proactively.

厚生労働省の「簡易生命表(令和4年)」によると、2022(令和4)年の日本人の平均寿命は男性が81.05歳、女性が87.09歳です。1955年時点では男性63.60歳、女性67.75歳といずれも平均寿命は60歳台でした。67年間で17~20年間ほど平気寿命が延びたことになります。なお、厚生労働省では2040年の平均寿命を男性で83.27歳、女性で89.63歳と推計しており、今後も日本人の平均寿命は延びていくと予測しています。日本人の平均寿命が延び続けている理由は、
 1. 医学医術の進歩
 2. 乳児死亡率の減少
 3. 生活環境の整備
があげられます。
ただ平均寿命が伸びたが故に、今までに経験しなかった様々な問題が生じています。一つ例を挙げれば痴呆症です。平均寿命が60代なら、多くの人が痴呆症に罹る前に亡くなったわけですが、平均寿命が80代にもなれば、脳の機能も衰え、痴呆症に罹る人が増えるのも当然です。そこで問題になるのが健康寿命です。健康寿命とは、ある健康状態で生活することが期待される平均期間を表す指標のことです。令和元年における日本人の健康寿命は、男性が72.68歳、女性が75.38歳と算定されています。令和4年の平均寿命が男性81.05歳、女性87.09歳であることを踏まえると、健康寿命との間には約9~12年もの差があります。健康寿命は食習慣や運動習慣、良質な睡眠などによって伸ばすことが可能です。これらは日々の健康づくりにも役立つ行動ですので、積極的に取り組むことが大切です。

薫風に 揺れて涼しや ジギタリス In the fragrant breeze / Swaying cool and refreshing / The foxglove blooms

While it is not well-known in Japan, the foxglove has been a familiar plant in Europe for a long time. In Europe, it is often found blooming in the wild around lakeshores. Its bell-shaped flowers cluster together gracefully, nodding elegantly in the breeze, earning it the name ‘King’s-elwand’ for its regal appearance. This plant has not only been a popular subject in poetry but also featured in family crests. The Japanese name ‘Kitsune no Tebukuro’ translates to ‘fox’s glove,’ derived from its English name, ‘foxglove.’ Foxgloves bloom at the same time as roses, making them popular companion flowers for rose arrangements. However, despite their beauty, foxgloves are dangerous plants that can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmia, headaches, and dizziness if ingested. In severe cases, they can lead to heart failure and death. At the same time, foxgloves have been used as a treatment for acute and chronic heart failure from the late 18th century until recently. Most articles about foxgloves highlight their toxicity and their use in heart failure medications. Additionally, foxgloves are planted in the botanical gardens of pharmacy-related universities across the country.

日本での知名度は低い花ですが、ヨーロッパでは昔から身近な植物として親しまれてきました。ヨーロッパでは湖畔などに野生のジギタリスがたくさん咲いていることもしばしば。鐘状の花が総状に連なり、そよ風に優雅に頭をふる様子は気品があり、King’s-elwand(王杖)と称されるほどで、多くの詩歌の題材になることに加え、家紋にあしらわれるほど親しまれています。和名では「狐の手袋」とも呼ばれますが、これは英名のfoxgloveを翻訳したものです。ジギタリスはバラと同じ時期に楽しめることからバラの添え花としても人気があります。そんなジギタリスですが、誤食すると胃腸障害、おう吐、下痢、不整脈、頭痛、めまいなどを引き起こし、さらに重症化すると心臓機能が停止して死亡してしまうこともある危険な植物でもあります。と同時に、ジギタリスは急性、慢性心不全患者の治療薬として、18世紀後半から最近まで使用されてきました。ジギタリスを検索すると、ほとんどがこの危険性と心不全に使用されてきた治療薬に関しての記事です。また全国の薬学系の大学農園にはジギタリスが植えられています。

風薫る 葵祭に 酔いしれて The fragrant wind / Intoxicated by the Aoi Festival / A dream or an illusion?

With a pleasant breeze blowing today, May 15th, the Aoi Matsuri, an annual festival of the Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, was held. The Aoi Matsuri, along with the Gion Matsuri and the Jidai Matsuri, is one of the three major festivals of Kyoto. Officially known as the “Kamo Matsuri,” the Aoi Matsuri is characterized by a procession featuring Heian-era court nobles adorned with hollyhock leaves. The procession moves from the Kyoto Imperial Palace through Shimogamo Shrine to Kamigamo Shrine. The procession, including the palanquin of the Saio-dai (a woman chosen to represent the ancient imperial princesses who served at the shrine), consists of over 500 people and stretches over a kilometer. Approximately 35,000 people, as reported by the police, gathered along the route to catch a glimpse of the elegant Heian scroll-like parade and to take photos.
The origins of the Aoi Matsuri date back more than 1,500 years. During the reign of Emperor Kinmei, a poor harvest and ensuing famine and epidemics prompted the emperor to send imperial envoys to conduct rituals to honor the “Kami of Kamo.” This marked the beginning of the festival, which, being a court event, was carried out primarily by the nobility, thereby preserving a strong aristocratic tradition. In the Heian period, the Aoi Matsuri was synonymous with festivals, being a highly prestigious ceremony referred to as the “Kamo Matsuri.” However, during the Edo period, the ox carts and imperial envoys’ garments were entirely decorated with hollyhock leaves, leading to the festival being commonly known as the “Aoi Matsuri.”
The Aoi Matsuri includes preliminary rituals, starting with the Yabusame (horseback archery) ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine (located in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto) on May 3rd. This is followed by the Saio-dai Misogi (purification ceremony) on May 4th, the Busha (archery) ceremony on May 5th, the Mikage Matsuri on May 12th to welcome the deities, culminating in the Aoi Matsuri on May 15th.

薫風が心地良い今日5月15日、下鴨神社と上賀茂神社の例祭である葵祭が行われました。葵祭と祇園祭、時代祭の三つを「京都三大祭」といいます。正式には「賀茂祭(かもさい)」といわれる葵祭は、平安時代の優雅な王朝装束に葵の葉を飾った行列で知られています。行列は京都御所から下鴨神社を経て上賀茂神社へと向かいます。斎王代(さいおうだい)の腰輿(およよ)を含む行列は総勢500人を超え、長さは1キロにも及びます。沿道には優雅な平安絵巻を一目見ようと、警察発表でおよそ3万5000人が押しかけ、写真におさめるなどして楽しんでいました。
葵祭の始まりはなんと1500年以上前にさかのぼります。欽明天皇の時代に凶作に見舞われ飢餓疫病が流行したため、天皇が勅使をつかわし「賀茂の神」の祭礼を行ったのが起源で、朝廷の行事として貴族中心にすすめてきたことから、貴族の伝統が色濃く残るお祭りでもあります。平安時代には祭りといえば葵祭をさすほど格式高い祭礼で、当時は「賀茂祭」と呼ばれていましたが、江戸時代に牛車や勅使の衣冠をすべて葵の葉で飾るようになり「葵祭」と呼ばれるようになったそうです。
葵祭には前儀があって、5月3日に下鴨神社(京都市左京区)で行われる流鏑馬(やぶさめ)神事に始まり、4日の斎王代御禊(さいおうだいみそぎ)の儀、5日の歩射(ぶしゃ)神事、12日に神霊を迎える御蔭(みかげ)祭と続き、15日の葵祭を迎えます。

春雨に アヤメと早苗 鳴きガエル In the spring rain / Irises and early rice seedlings / A croaking frog

This is a haiku full of seasonal words. When there are two or more seasonal words in one haiku, it is called “ki kasanari (seasonal words overlap)”, and it is said that “ki kasanari” should be avoided in principle. However, some famous haikus do have “ki kasanari”, and it is not necessarily a bad thing. There are even haikus where the seasonal words complement each other beautifully. A well-known haiku is “In my eyes, fresh green leaves, the mountain cuckoo, and the first bonito of the season,” by Sodo Yamaguchi, an early Edo period poet. Sodo was a close friend of Matsuo Basho, and they interacted closely not as master and disciple but as friends. This haiku uses three seasonal words: fresh green leaves, mountain cuckoo, and first bonito of the season. All of these are spring seasonal words, making it a famous haiku that evokes spring. Many of Basho’s and other famous haiku poets’ works also contain “ki kasanari”, making the rule of avoiding seasonal overlap seem unnatural. However, since haiku are short poems expressed in just 17 syllables in the 5-7-5 pattern, it is certain that using just one seasonal word can more richly express poetic sentiment.

季語てんこ盛りの俳句です。一つの俳句の中に2つ以上の季語があることを季重なりと言って、季重なりは原則避けるべきことと言われています。ただし、名句とされるものの中には、季重なりのものもあり、必ずしも季重なりが悪いという訳ではありません。中には季語がお互いを活かし合うような絶妙な取り合わせの俳句もあります。よく知られている俳句に、「目には青葉山ほととぎす初がつを」言うのがあります。江戸時代初期の俳人である山口素堂の句です。素堂は松尾芭蕉とも親しく、芭蕉の門弟ではなく友人として互いに親しく交流しました。この俳句には、青葉、山ほととぎす、初がつをと3つの季語が使われています。どれも春を表す季語で、春を彷彿とさせる名句です。芭蕉やその他の有名な俳人の句にも季重なりの句は多く、季重なりは避けるべきだと言う原則の方が不自然だと思います。しかし、俳句は五七五のたった17音で表す短詩ですから、季語を一つにした方がより豊かに詩情を表せることは確かです。