|
Abstract As a seasonal word in Haikai poetry, “Hana（花）” , through the refinement of classical Chinese and Japanese literature, has gradually transcended its literal botanical meaning to embody both an expressive device and a conceptual motif. From the Renga era onward, debates have persisted over the placement and frequency of “Hana” within linked-verse poetry. By the time of the Bashō school of Haikai, these conventions were further challenged, especially within Kasen poetry. The placement and number of “Hana” verses broke away from tradition, emphasizing their spatial relationship with another key seasonal word “Tsuki”, thereby shaping the structure of the entire Renku (full linked-verse poetry). While significant research has explored the structure of “Hana no jōza” in Hyakuin (hundred-linked Renku), studies addressing the positional and numerical shifts of “Hana” in Kasen poetry, as well as its deeper semantic layers, remain scarce. Clarifying the placement and frequency of “Hana” within Syoumon Kasen is thus fundamental to understanding the Haikai principles it embodies.
This article argues that “Hana” in Syoumon Kasen differs from concrete flower names such as “botan (peonies)” or “shakuyaku (Chinese peonies)” and does not simply symbolize “sakura” as it often does in traditional Japanese poetry. Instead, it encompasses both the aesthetic enjoyment of flowers and the splendor of spring scenes. The formation of this dual meaning is closely related to Bashō’s statement in the postscript to Minashiguri, where he asserts “there is no distinction between the real and the imaginary”. The word “Hana” in the Hokku (opening verse) of “Ukiyo ni hana”is a representative example. This single word “Hana” embodies Bashō’s principle of using virtual scenery to express true emotion. It also serves as a vehicle for his aspiration during the Tenna Period (1681-1684) to inherit the poetic spirit of Chinese poets Li Bai and Du Fu, the Zen essence of Hanshan, the refined elegance of Waka, and the candid expression of romantic sentiment found in Bai Juyi’s poetry all aimed at achieving a fusion of Kyojitsu. Analyzing the inner meaning and expressive function of “Hana” is thus a vital step toward understanding the core poetics of the Bashō school’s Haikai.
The Kyojitsu method exemplified by “Hana” is both a continuation of classical Chinese and Japanese literature and a natural outcome of the development of Kanshibun-style (Chinese poetry style) Haikai during the Tenna Period. The “Kyojitsu” concept that Bashō articulated during this time specifically emphasizes the significance of “Kyo”, expanding its functional role in poetic language and expression.
Previous scholarship has commonly regarded the Genroku Period (1688-1703) as the time when the concept of Kyojitsu in the Bashō school emerged, viewing the early and the later Bashō schools as ideologically divergent, particularly in contrast to the later interpretations by Shikō. However, this study, through careful textual analysis, re-examined the origins of Bashō’s “Kyojitsu” concept and reaffirmed the consistency between Bashō and Shikō, showing that both derive from the same conceptual root. This research thus revises the established understanding of the Bashō school’s Haikai principles, clarifies the influence of Kanshibun on Bashō’s poetic innovation, and corrects longstanding misconceptions in literary history regarding the overlooked or misunderstood notion of “Kyo” in Bashō’s Kyojitsu theory, ultimately revealing its true meaning and value.
|
|
Published: 26 April 2026
|
|
|
|
