Iroha Uta

Posted by: Sana
(May 29, 2012 7:12 PM)

Do you know the older form of Japanese alphabet? Before AIUEO?
It is called "Iroha Uta". It uses each letter only once like any other alphabet from all over the world.
So what makes so special for me to write about this?

It is because this old alphabet actually is a beautiful poetry.

It reads;

色は匂へど Iro wa nioedo　散りぬるを Chirinuruwo
我が世誰ぞ Wagayo tarezo　常ならむ Tsune naramu
有為の奥山 Ui no okuyama　今日越えてKyou koete
浅き夢見じ Asaki yume miji　酔ひもせず Yoimosezu

Although its scent still lingers on
the form of a flower has scattered away
For whom will the glory
of this world remain unchanged?
Arriving today at the yonder side
of the deep mountains of evanescent existence
We shall never allow ourselves to drift away
intoxicated, in the world of shallow dreams...

Have you heard of "Mujoukan(無常観)"? The 'mujo' and 'mujo views' could be said to be unique characteristics of the Japanese concept of beauty that has grown over many years since the medieval era. Mujokan literaly means "the sence of the vanity of life".
As some of you can already tell what I am about to write, yes, Iroha uta was an Japanese alphabet and the poetry that has capture the ultimate sense of Japanese culture.

How we see beauty in everything is based on mujoukan, i think. Sakura is so special for us because we know its beauty would not last forever,which makes them even more beautiful. We see beauty in sadness, and i do love this about Japanese culture.

This applys to "Ichigo Ichie(一期一会)"as well. One Life, One Encounter.
Maybe this could make you appriciate the meeting with new people in the way that you never have;)

Posted by: sana (May 29, 2012 7:18 PM)