Chapter 31: The Handsome Pillar (makibashira)
Chapter 31: The Handsome Pillar (makibashira)
Makibashira- it translates as “pillar of fine wood” or “handsome pillar.” In some cases it can be related to a house pillar probably of Japanese cypress (hinoki).
This chapter is named “makibashira” because Higekuro’s daughter leaves behind a poem tucked away in a pillar as she leaves her home. “It upset her to think of leaving the pillar on the east side, against which herself she had leaned so often” this quote demonstrates her attachment to her home (533). The pillar was a place of reliability and strength because she could lean on often. The poem that she leaves behind:
“I am leaving now a home that has long been mine: O handsome pillar,
You whom I have loved so well, please do not forget me yet!”
“The handsome pillar my still recall your love, but what then? I ask:
what is it I leave behind that could ever make me stay?”
(533-34)
The daughter speaks to the pillar of wood as if it were a person because she does not want her home to forget her. She is leaving her home and may never return and she has not known any other place to be home. This source of strength and reliability is taken away from her and she will not forget her love for her home.
Image of Higekuro's daughter tucking her poem into the pillar that she often leaned against.
Makibashira- it translates as “pillar of fine wood” or “handsome pillar.” In some cases it can be related to a house pillar probably of Japanese cypress (hinoki).
This chapter is named “makibashira” because Higekuro’s daughter leaves behind a poem tucked away in a pillar as she leaves her home. “It upset her to think of leaving the pillar on the east side, against which herself she had leaned so often” this quote demonstrates her attachment to her home (533). The pillar was a place of reliability and strength because she could lean on often. The poem that she leaves behind:
“I am leaving now a home that has long been mine: O handsome pillar,
You whom I have loved so well, please do not forget me yet!”
“The handsome pillar my still recall your love, but what then? I ask:
what is it I leave behind that could ever make me stay?”
(533-34)
The daughter speaks to the pillar of wood as if it were a person because she does not want her home to forget her. She is leaving her home and may never return and she has not known any other place to be home. This source of strength and reliability is taken away from her and she will not forget her love for her home.
Image of Higekuro's daughter tucking her poem into the pillar that she often leaned against.
http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/inpaku/story/31makibashira_e/31arasuji_e.htm
posted by Rebecca @ 1:58 PM
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