I have used the subdivided solar terms as motifs for my calligraphy for some time. In the meantime, some of the phrases don’t give me actual feelings and at some other times, I find things I have never seen in person, like this one 綿柎開, meaning “calyx enwrapping cotton opens”.
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こうやって七十二候の名称を作品のモチーフにしていますが、ときとして「実感が湧かない」と思うこともあり、またこれ「綿柎開」（「綿を包むがくが開く」の意）のように現実に見たことがないものもあります。
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The seasonal phrase for this time of the year is this, “evening cicadas sing”, which somehow implies a sort of loneliness, that is, a feeling the summer season is finally ready to leave.
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今ぐらいの時節の七十二候の名称です。寒蝉はひぐらしだそうですが、何とはなしに夏ももう終わっていくのかなという寂しさを感じます。
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During the Obon period, usually in mid-August, it is believed that the ancestral spirits come back to their family. Today I bought some offerings to the ancestors including sweets, fruits and vegetables. I heard a story that goes fruits of a plant called “Chinese lanterns” should serve to guide the deceased to their house safely.
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今日はお盆のお供えの用意をしました。鬼灯はご先祖さまが迷子にならずに帰れるように提灯の役をすると聞きました。
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O, Chinese lanterns/
Ready to welcome dad and mom/
Brand new tatami mats/
Calligraphy and translation by Chio
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The seasonal phrase for these five days or so is this. It means “Earth gets wet; air gets hot and humid”. I have no objection at all.
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この1週間たらずの期間の七十二候の名称です。土が潤って蒸し暑い。その通りです。
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This is the seasonal phrase given to these days of end of July. If we only think of the letters, it seems to mean the empress trees begin to bloom first flowers. However, I learned this phrase means the blossoms begin to bear fruits. The flowers are known to bloom in early summer.
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この7月の終わりの時期の七十二候の名称です。字だけを見ると桐のお花が咲き始めるという意味みたいですが、その花が実を結びだすという意味のようです。お花は初夏に咲くのだそうです。
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It has been so very hot since early morning, and I found out today falls on Dashu (solar term), literally, great heat, which means today is the day of extreme heat according to solar term.
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朝からずいぶん暑いと思ったら、今日は二十四節気の大暑のようです。
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Crystalline Buddhist rosary/
Feels cold/
Dashu (solar term) or the summer day of extreme heat/
Calligraphy and translation by Chio
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Someone that liked my small piece sent me some photos to show how she is displaying my little one even sent me yet another image, which evokes the artistic quality of my work even more. The photo renewed my perception of how important presentation is when displaying artistic works. And I admire her excellent sense of exhibition.
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私の小さな作品を気に入ってくださった上に、それを飾っておられる写真を送ってくださった方が、更に魅力的な画像を送ってきてくださいました。私の書が更に良く見えます。飾り方が大事なのだと今更ながら思いました。この方のセンスは本当に素晴らしい。
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The seasonal phrase for around five days from today is this, “Saururus chinensis（swamp lily）grows”. However, I have a feeling it is a little too early because the flowers in the house of my neighborhood haven’t bloomed yet.
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今日からの５日間ほどの間の七十二候の名称がこれです。「半夏生」でも少し早い気がします。ご近所のお庭のこのお花がまだ咲いていないからです。
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The seasonal phrase for around five days till today is this, “irises bloom”. However, I have a feeling it is a little too late because irises are symbols of 端午の節句, in other words “festival of irises”.
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今日までの５日間ほどの間の七十二候の名称がこれです。でも少し遅い気がします。菖蒲は端午の節句の象徴ですし。
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I chose a phrase about “Japanese plum fruits ripen to be yellowish” from the subdivided seventy-two seasonal phrases and wrote it on a wooden piece the other day. Then, someone liked it very much and offered to buy it. However, I felt a little sorry because it is such a small work. So, I sent this person a postcard work as well as a gift. Then to my greatest pleasure, I received these images showing me how she is enjoying my calligraphy.
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先日七十二候の中から「梅の実が黄色く熟す」という内容の言葉を選んで、木の札に書きました。これをとても気に入った方が購入を申し出てくださいました。けれども、こんな小さな作品では申し訳ないと思いましたので、ハガキ作品をおまけにつけたところ、このように飾っていますと、画像を送ってきてくださいました。自分の字を喜んでもらえて、本当に嬉しいことです。
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