極月や箱階段の薄埃
gokugetsu ya hako kaidan no usubokori


end of the year
on the step-chest
a thin layer of dust
—Keiji Ishida


(Tr. David LaSpina)

^{("Cleaning" by Kason Suzuki)}

I probably should have posted this one before the new year, but oh well. It's still considered a New Year's haiku, so it works.

In the West we have spring-cleaning. In Japan they have New Year's cleaning. You may think this makes little sense—after all, it is still cold outside—but remember in the old Japanese calendar, New Years was celebrated at the beginning of spring, so when this tradition started in Japan it was spring-cleaning. It is that New Year's cleaning that Ishida is referring to here.

The step-chest bears some mentioning. I'm not sure if we have these in the West (feel free to correct me in the comments). It is a set of drawers that could double as a staircase. Very interesting object. I don't think they are so common these days in newer houses, but you will still see them in old houses.

---

❦

Don't miss other great haiku in the Haiku of Japan series!

#1–10 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #1
#11–20 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #2
#21–30 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #3
#31–40 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #4
#41–50 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #5
#51–60 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #6
#61 — Turncoat Umbrella
#62 — Ten Autumns
#63 — Scattering Leaves
#64 — Gravekeeper
#65 — To Kill an Ant
#66 — Frosty Rose
#67 — Don't Give Up
#68 — Matsushima
#69 — Meeting With the Buddha
#70 — Winter Wind
#71 — Born Lucky
#72 — Late New Year's

---

If you enjoyed this post, please like and resteem. Also be sure to follow me to see more from Japan everyday.

I post one photo everyday, as well as a haiku and as time allows, videos, more Japanese history, and so on. Let me know if there is anything about Japan you would like to know more about or would like to see.

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