Title: Ban’ya Natsuishi—Endless Felix and Flying
Pope: 127 Haiku
Throughout life one will come across an
individual who writes poetry. When fortune strikes, one receives enchantment,
encouragement, and enlightenment from a prolific poetic writer. This occurs
while reading an awesome book where the realization is evident that crossing
paths with such a majestical person is taking place.
Author: Ban’ya Natsuishi, Japan
Genre: Poetry
Format: Paperback
Book Dimension: Endless Felix 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.3 and Flying Pope 8.8 x 5.4 x 0.3
Number of Pages: 107 Endless Helix and 139 Flying Pope: 127 Haiku
Genre: Poetry
Format: Paperback
Book Dimension: Endless Felix 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.3 and Flying Pope 8.8 x 5.4 x 0.3
Number of Pages: 107 Endless Helix and 139 Flying Pope: 127 Haiku
Publication Year: 2007 Endless
Helix and 2008 Flying Pope: 127 Haiku
Publisher: Cyberwit.net
Edition Language: English
ISBN-10: 8182530725 Endless Helix and 8182531063 Flying Pope
Publisher: Cyberwit.net
Edition Language: English
ISBN-10: 8182530725 Endless Helix and 8182531063 Flying Pope
Professor Ban’ya Natsuishi, is such a person. Founder, World
Haiku Association, author of “Endless Helix,” and “Flying Pope,” he sends
excellent messages regarding the essence of haiku poems. His knowledge of haiku
reflects the beauty of nature.
Natsuishi, is a prolific writer of haiku poems
with melodious articulation. He flies in the right direction and leaves
footprints on the sands of time where ever he lands. He reflects poetic
knowledge through the volume of poems originally established generations ago in
the “Man'y┼Нsh┼л (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves).”
Links from “Man'y┼Нsh┼л,” still reveal an evolution in poetry.
His vision of poetic evolution, aligns with his books, “Endless Helix and
“Flying Pope.” The DNA from these books represents his connection to the “Man'y┼Нsh┼л,”
the oldest collection of Japanese poetry from the Nara or early Heian periods,
347 to 759 A.D. This anthology, which is
one of the most revered of Japan's art of poetry, is a reflection of Ban'ya's integrated
poetic system.
During the first part of “Endless Helix,” he uses a series
of poems unleashing a menagerie of stimulants, invoking sight, touch, hearing,
and tasting with inspiring words. Likewise,
in “Flying Pope,” he unravels an anthology of haiku poems for all to understand.
Natsuishi, reflects on haiku in an uplifting
manner. He writes in a scriptural sense in, “Flying Pope.” This volume brings to light an elegant artistry, in terms of his
adoption of symbolic imagery for dramatic enunciation. His articulation reflects
imaginative poetic language and uses stimulating and uplifting words. He moves
the reader to another level, soothing to the mind with loving ability, while
linking with “Endless Helix.”
Let’s examine the first haiku in Flying Pope:
forgotten
homeland
forgotten
prayers
the
pope flies
Being that God created the universe of which
land is a part, and the Pope is a representative of God, he has a mission to
ensure that no land is forgotten.
Likewise, in “Endless Helix,” it begins with
the first haiku stating:
the
fountain spreads out
concentric
circles of
water,
winds and words.
In this haiku, Natsuishi addresses God's
creation of water, winds, and words upon the earth.
In “Flying Pope,” he follows with another
wonderful haiku poem:
flying
Pope!
please
rain your tears
over
Japan
This is symbolic of the Pope’s visit to Japan
in 1981, and the words of Cardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi, archbishop emeritus of Tokyo stating, “For us
Japanese Catholics, he was like a father.” This reflects on the tears of joy on
Japan from the Pope’s blessings.
Likewise, “Endless Helix” addresses the beauty
of singing in the following haiku:
an
endless helix
sings
silently
inside
our body
Naturally, the music of the warbler bird is
melodious to the soul as God's creation. The Pope’s visit to Japan generates
lovely music, such as “Endless Helix” in addressing the body.
The mission of the Pope and his blessings on
children are touching. In February 1981, while visiting Japan, he showed his
love at a youth meeting with the famous singer, Anges Chang. He also improvised a pirouette with the
children. This reflects vividly on the following haiku:
flying
Pope
visible
only to children
and
a giraffe
Imagine the songs in the hearts of the children
being with the Pope on such a wonderful and historic occasion. This is as admirable as God’s words which
states: “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Beautiful sight of the cherry blossoms is a
wonderful visualization. It brings images of peace and tranquillity. This is
the blossom which creates a smiling face. The following cherry blossom haiku regarding
of the Pope brings happiness:
storm
of cherry blossoms
the
Pope flies
with
strained back
With a strained back, the Pope smiles and
leaves happiness in many hearts. One
could visualize the imagery of the cherry blossom smiling and melting away a
strain in the Pope’s back. It’s like a warm professional massage relieving
pressures, or an acupuncturist releasing pressure points.
Every haiku lover should appreciate the humour
laced in the Cinderella story of the Pope dropping a shoe as outlined in the
following haiku:
the
Flying Pope
has
dropped a shoe
onto
the nightless city
This may bring a parade of females looking to fit
the shoe. It should qualify as laughter, joke or humour from the form of a “kokkei”
humorous haiku, a general sense of happiness.
“Endless Helix” addresses this dilemma as
follows:
the
night
is
the mother of the day--
a
stone with two faces
We should know the story of Cinderella and the
faces which came forward during night and day with different images and
intentions. Here, we see sincerity,
honesty, and love for others overcoming relationships not based on goodwill.
The Cinderella story continues in the form of
another “kokkei haiku” bringing more laughter:
for
a while
the
Flying Pope
follows
Cinderella
Naturally, the Pope is capable of leading his
own parade. Any person could just image
the Pope with legions of angels at his beckoning call to carry out his biddings
in God’s glory.
This volume allows the reader to experience the
pleasures of laughter as the Pope prefers a rice field to a helmet. One would
enjoy a bowl of succulently steamed and seasoned rice with a deliciously
steamed fish with all the dressings instead of a helmet with a symbol of
danger.
While travelling, the Pope takes a look and
beholds the vast continent. This likely bring his spirit to enjoy the symbology
of God’s creation. The mere thought of
knowing that God created a
separation in the existing waters on the surface of the earth, especially when
He said, "Let there be a horizon in the middle of the water in order to
separate the water." Thereafter, God named what was above the
horizon as the sky. The next haiku is on
point in that regard:
to the Flying Pope
the earth:
a great tear drops
What a sight the Pope sees. Flying between the separations, he sees the
great tear drop below and the heavens above, thus he gives blessing, thanks,
and praises to God.
The Pope values religions around the globe. He
reaches out to all people of various faiths and denominations. This shines in
the following haiku:
entangled
by
Arabic letters
the
Pope flies on
The Pope
shines his light on events bringing about transformations of glory around the
world. One is able to see goodness in the Pope while meditating on this haiku:
the
Pope
flies
to Iraq
his
head so enormous
“Endless Helix” not only established the
lineage of Japanese anthological evolution from the “Man'y┼Нsh┼л.” It also established the link between Pope John
Paul I, who was called the first Flying Pope, based on his travels, and Pope
John Paul II, who was also called the second Flying Pope. They both joined hands around the globe establishing peace in
many hearts.
Even after his body absorbed a bullet from an
attempted assassination, the Pope extends mercy. By his vision, he turned darkness into
light. The following haiku is
emblematical:
darkness—
the
Pope flies
faster
than a bullet
The imagery invoked in this haiku connects with darkness. It
stretches the imagination and allows the mind to touch upon new territory. In “Flying
Pope” he showed that temporary darkness from a flying bullet is not able to
stop him and his mission.
God’s hands were on the Pope to complete His
mission. Meeting his would-be assassin
in prison, showed the world the love in his heart, and how to profess
forgiveness to others. The supreme hands of omnipresent mercy, transcendental
love, and omnipotent majesty, was upon him in the transformation and
preservation of his physical body.
Furthermore, the crucifixion, resurrection, and
ascension are reflected in the Pope. The following haiku speaks directly to the
invisible manhole in the palm of his hands:
in
the palm of
the
Flying Pope
a
manhole
Imagine nails holding Christ to the cross, and the
tearing expansion of the holes. One
could see through them, while not doubtful as Thomas, one of His
disciples. So is the Pope, absorbing the
pain of the world in the palm of his hands.
He endures the agony and suffering of people with the visualization of
Stigmata, which is referred to as a manhole.
Swallowed by the wind, the pope has flown
upward to heaven. He was given little,
yet provided much for so many. Now he accepts his reward of, rest, and
refreshment in the right place, on the right hand of God, as he is released
from labour to enlightenment.
The essence of “Endless Helix” states:
even
unto my death
cats
will sing of love
in
Rome
Words in this haiku bring to light an
underlying theme. It shows the heart inside Natsuishi regarding this creation,
showing that love is everywhere and shall abide everywhere.
This volume of haiku is a “Positive Karma,” for
the mind and soul. It evokes good actions in the soul, and brings about a
smiling face, a pleasing heart, and a positive self-image. It’s refreshing, and
leaves a springing well of flowing water to quench the thirst within the soul.
The second half of Endless Helix, uses dreams to stimulate the mind. The figurative language of the wind as a
metaphor, signifies strength to withstand the elements and test of time. The
flowing of water invoking cleansing and rebirth after an arduous journey—signifies
peace.
The quality of the discursive poetic syntax in
both volumes of poetry, sends inspiring messages of transformation. The eloquence of such an imaginative spirit
of prolific poetic articulation, is like a caterpillar transforming into new birth
from a cocoon into a sparkling butterfly.
The ending of “Endless Helix,” shows Natsuishi walking
against the wind on a New York street.
In essence, it concludes like the “Flying Pope,” traveling through
time and space touching on generational lifelines.
Finally, before resting these awesome books with the dawn of the golden
rays from the sun, or the rising of a spectacular moon, say to others in excitement,
“I really love these books by Ban’ya Natsuishi regarding the “Flying Pope and
Endless Helix.” Then leave an awesome review which will take off around the world
like an eagle in flight, thus, announcing these Inspiring volumes of haiku
poetic articulation written by Ban’ya Natsuishi, the prolific haiku poetic
writer, who lifts up the “Flying Pope” through
the essence of “Endless Helix.”
Bio
Sketch of Professor Ban’ya Natsuishi
Professor Ban’ya Natsuishi is the greatest
modern haiku master after classic haiku master Basho Matsuo, Japan. He was born
in Aioi City, Hy├┤go Prefecture,
Japan in 1955. He studied at Tokyo University where he received a master degree
in Comparative Literature and Culture in 1981. In 1992 he was appointed
Professor at Meiji University where he continues to teach. In 1993 he gave
lectures at Jilin University in China. He was invited to haiku meetings in Germany,
1994, and Italy, 1995. During 1996 to 1998, he was a guest research fellow at
Paris 7th University. In 1997, and held a “Contemporary Haiku”
event in Provence of France. In 1998, with Sayumi Kamakura, he founded the international
haiku quarterly, “Ginyu,” and became its publisher and Editor-in-Chief. In
2000, after attending the Global Haiku Festival, he continues to travel around
the world promoting, lecturing, and reciting haiku poetry. His written
poetic books are numerous. His awards include the following: 1980 he was
recommended as Poet of the Year by Haiku-hy├┤ron. 1981 he won
First Prize in a competition sponsored by haiku monthly Haiku-kenky├╗. 1984
he won the Shii-no-ki Prize. In 1991 the Modern Haiku Association Prize. In 2002
he won the Hekigod├┤Kawahigashi Prize of the 21st Century Ehime
Haiku. 2008 he received AZsacra International Poetry Award for Taj
Mahal Review, 2013 the Sarah and Mo├пse Russo-International Prize in Poetry
for Taj Mahal Review; and 2015, the Highest Prize of the
Mongolian Writers’ Association.
Thank you, my dear friends and editors, for your gracious consideration of publishing of my dual haiku book review in your Bilingual Journal of Literature, Arts, and Culture. I am very inspired by your esteemed thoughts and find it very motivating. My continued submissions will be foremost. Blessings always!
ReplyDeleteExcellent and great review Ban’ya Natsuishi, "Endless Helix" and "Flying Pope". You quoting some beautiful lines and commenting on the imagery and structure and theme of the poems again bring the books to life. kudos dear reviewer.
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