Shadowy Things (Haiku)

shadowy things
on the fringe of a winter’s night – 
scowling at lanterns
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Linked to Carpe Diem #612, where “lantern” is our inspiration.

Here is some background on the traditional tōrō lantern, which is usually made of stone, wood or metal:

Wikimedia

“In Japan, tōrō were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths. Lit lanterns were then considered an offering to Buddha. During the Heian period (794-1185), however, they started being used also in Shinto shrines and private homes.

Tōrō can be classified in two main types, the tsuri-dōrō which usually hang from the eaves of a roof, and the dai-dōrō used in gardens and along the approach of a shrine or temple. The two most common types of dai-dōrō are the bronze lantern and the stone lantern, which look like hanging lanterns laid to rest on a pedestal.

In its complete, original form … the dai-dōrō represents the five elements of Buddhist cosmology. The bottom-most piece, touching the ground, represents chi, the earth; the next section represents sui, or water; ka or fire, is represented by the section encasing the lantern’s light or flame, while fū (air) and kū (void or spirit) are represented by the last two sections, top-most and pointing towards the sky. The segments express the idea that after death our physical bodies will go back to their original, elemental form.”

Here is our host’s haiku in response to the traditional tōrō lantern:

at the graveyard
next to a new grave … the light of a lantern
standing guard

And – today’s haiku from “The Daily Issa” featured a lantern of a different kind:   

with a lantern
into the gap of blossom
clouds

Don’t let the photo fool you — Gruesome’s a nice fella – honest.

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