Doll Faces :: Haiku of Japan #95


雛の顔我是非なくも老にけり
hina no kao ware zehi naku mo oi ni keri


the faces of the dolls
i couldn't avoid
growing old


—Seifu
(Tr. David LaSpina)


1d7a9f36956edaee2b2bf5825c16d7c5--hina-matsuri-girl-day.jpg
(Print by Mizuno Toshikata)

March 3rd is doll festival in Japan, also called Girl's Day. The main feature of this event is dolls of the emperor and empress and all the court set up and displayed on a nice stand. The dolls are quite nice—and usually very very expensive. Which wouldn't be a problem normally, except for the fact that every family with a girl pretty much has to buy a set due to social pressure. Thankfully grandparents often foot the bill.

Here Seifu is at the market and looking at the Girl's Day dolls. She is struck by how young and timeless the dolls' faces look, and in turn reminded of how she has grown old. We all secretly hope we will be exceptions to growing old; when it inevitably comes we are somewhat shocked and a little sad. Ah, I couldn't avoid it after all!






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Who is David?
Hi thereDavid LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time.
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