Shijo Surimono with fireflies and grasses. Japanese woodcut.
As an act of Buddhist kindness, Basho once ingeniously reversed a cruel haiku made up by his witty disciple.
Kikaku had said: ‘A red firefly / Tear off its wings / A pepper.’
Basho substituted: ‘A pepper / Give it wings / A red firefly.’
From André Breton, Ascendant Sign, 1942.
September 29, 2007 at 5:11 am
Marion!
There’s a great article in the latest issue of Seed, and I immediately thought of you when I read it.
Artist Lynn Hershman and archaeologist Michael Shanks in conversation about place and memory.
http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2007/08/michael_shanks_lynn_hershman_l.php
October 1, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Thanks very much Greg, this was definitely interesting - got me thinking about museums and Second Life - and a couple of things more.