Think of "KOCHI FUKABA"

The Canola Flower is known as one of offering to Michizane.

Ever since I decided to create the game "東風 (KOCHI)", I have been thinking about 和歌(the waka poetry) of Michizane.

I got the title "東風 (KOCHI)" and this website's domain name "kochifukaba.jp" from his waka poem "東風吹かば (Kochi Fukaba)".

東風吹かば　匂ひおこせよ　梅の花
あるじなしとて　春な忘れそ

The following is a literal translation I thought.

When the east wind blows, emit an aroma of plum blossoms.
Don't forget spring just because I'm not here.

It is said that Michizane composed this poem to his cherished plum tree in Kyoto before leaving for Dazaifu in February.

It is sometimes interpreted as a song of regret by Michizane, who was shocked by the sudden order to leave the city.

I'm attempting to read this poem in terms of the Lotus Sutra, Zen and Chinese poetry.

Of course, I'm not a scholar, so I find it difficult to explore this in depth.

As I wrote in a previous article, it is said that Michizane was doing 写経(Shakyo) of the Lotus Sutra.

For the aristocrats of the time, the Lotus Sutra was an important base for their lifestyle.

For this reason, I would like to interpret this poem as 釈教歌(Shakkyou-ka, Waka related to Buddhism).

It was not until the Kamakura period (1185-1333) that Zen became popular in Japan.

This was a later period than the Heian period (794-1185) in which Michizane lived.

However, I believe that Michizane may have been exposed to Zen knowledge in his work.

At that time, Japan had adopted various cultures mainly from the continent.

During the Heian period, the idea of Zen was spreading on the continent. There are records of Zen monks coming to Japan at that time.

Since Michizane was a politician, he may have read Zen books and actually met with Zen monks.

Learning Chinese was essential for politicians and officials of the Heian period.

Hiragana was not widely used until much later, and most of the writings of the Heian nobles at that time were written in Chinese characters.

Michizane had really high language ability. He was a master of both Chinese poetry and waka, and left many poems.

Working with another country's language means being exposed to the culture and customs of that country.

I fantasize that Michizane was listening to the voices of a distant foreign world while in Japan. For example, Socrates.

...In this way, I am creating the story of the game "東風 (KOCHI)" with various fantasies. I'll continue to study hard.

Youkou

Welcome to the world of "東風 (KOCHI)"