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Eternal Longing in Iwami Sea Poetry

Explore the deep emotions of separation and love through the traditional Choka form. Immerse yourself in vivid imagery and poignant reflections on the complexities of human relationships. Experience the poet's struggle with distance, nature's interference, and the inevitable passage of time. Delve into the melancholic beauty of fleeting moments and eternal yearning captured in this ancient masterpiece.

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Eternal Longing in Iwami Sea Poetry

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  1. “In the Sea of Iwami” By Kakinomoto Hitomaro Seventh to Eighth Centuries A.D. Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  2. CHOKA • Alternate lines of five and seven syllables with an additional seven-syllable line at the end • No limit to the number of lines • End in envoys • Summations • Structure • Five lines of five, seven, five, seven and seven syllables Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  3. STANZA I • Imagery • “deep-sea, miru weed” (4) • Purpose of image • Tangling? • Entrapping? • Commitment? Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  4. STANZA II • Establishing a simile • “Like the swaying sea tangle, Unresisting would she lie beside me” (7-8) • “My wife whom I love with a love Deep as the miru-growing ocean.” (9-10) Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  5. STANZA II • Diction • “unresisting” • Passive? • Flowing with the current? • Positive or negative image? Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  6. STANZA II • He and his wife have spent much time apart • “But few are the nights We two have lain together.” (11-12) • Theme of separation Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  7. STANZA III • Discussion of parting • Comparison to the parting of “creeping vines” (14) Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  8. STANZA III • Turns to look back to see his wife • “But because of the yellow leaves Of Watari Hill, Flying and fluttering in the air, I cannot see plainly My wife waving her sleeve to me.” (17-21) • Yellow leaves suggest death/separation • Is nature preventing the two from being together? Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  9. STANZA IV • Purpose of moon • Symbolizes a mirror • Reflection of himself? • Reflection of his relationship? • Moon disappears behind clouds • Leaves him full of regret • His love vanishes from sight Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  10. STANZA IV • Purpose of the setting sun • “Coursing down the western sky” (28) • Death imagery Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  11. STANZA IV • Reflection of self • Thought he was a strong man • Realizes that is “sleeves…/Are wetted through with tears” (30-31) Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  12. ENVOYS • Returns home • “My black steed/ Galloping fast” (32-33) • Returns quickly Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  13. ENVOYS • “Oh, yellow leaves Falling on the autumn hill, Cease a while To fly and flutter in the air, That I may see my love’s dwelling place!” (37-41) • Death imagery • Asks nature to stop the leaves from falling • Trying to stop death/separation Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

  14. STANZA IV • Purpose of tears? • Temporary absence? • Permanent death? Geschke/English IV "In the Sea of Iwami"

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