This poem is a great example of Japanese haiku written by the famed novelist Natsume Sōseki. While he is better known for his books, this poem proves that Sōseki was just as skilled at writing haiku. The poem engages in many of the images and emotions that haiku are wellknown for, including a contemplation of the natural world. The English version of the haiku was translated by Soiku Shigematsu.
Plum flower temple Natsume SōsekiPlum flower temple:Voices riseFrom the foothills.
Summary
‘Plum flower temple’ by Natsume Sōseki is a beautiful poem that describes a temple, flowers, and soft voices in the distance.
This poem begins with the poet mentioning a “plum flower temple. This suggests an image a beautiful, serene temple where the flowers represent beauty and peace. The natural landscape is highly important in this poem, as is the suggestion that, for a time, it’s going to be marked by temporary flowers.
In the next lines, the poet describes voices in the distance, bringing a human element into the poem. They’re rising from the “foothills,” somewhere in the small hills in the distance. The poem ends on this note, allowing readers to consider what this scene looks like, feels like, and sounds like.
Structure Form
‘Plum flower temple’ by Natsume Sōseki is a three-line traditional haiku that was written by one of the most famous Japanese writers of all time.
This Sōseki poem conforms to the basic elements of a haiku. It has three lines, and much of it is focused on nature. The poem also has a human element, something that many haiku don’t have.
It’s important to note that because this poem was originally written in Japanese and later translated into English, it does not have some of the poet’s original language.
Literary Devices
In this poem, the poet uses a few different literary devices. These include:
- Imagery: this is seen when the poet uses particularly interesting and evocative descriptions. For example, “Plum flower temple” triggers readers’ senses and makes them see, feel, and imagine an entire scene.
- Enjambment: occurs when the poet cuts off a line before its natural stopping point. For example, the transition between lines two and three.
Detailed Analysis
Line 1
Plum flower temple:
This short poem begins with the poet describing a “plum flower temple,” something that evokes a temple surrounded by, or even covered in “plum flower[s].” Plum blossoms are known for their short-lived blooming period, often associated with the arrival of spring in Japanese culture.
By including a temple in this scene, the poet evokes feelings of connection between the earthly and the divine and often serves as a retreat from the noise and distractions of everyday life. The poet also combines these two images in order to merge the natural and the spiritual realms.
The use of the colon at the end of these lines adds a great deal more, telling readers that the line’s main subject is about to follow. There is a “plum flower temple” in the foreground, but there is something else happening around it.
Line 2
Voices rise
The next line changes the overall feeling of the poem, and it suggests that there are people nearby. It’s not entirely quiet (what’s revealed in the next line) are the foothills around the temple. The voices imply the existence of a community or a group of individuals engaged in some form of communication. It could be interpreted as people engaging in conversations, prayers, or chanting, all of which are common activities in temples.
By saying that the voices “rise,” the poet is suggesting that the voices are not static but are actively reaching out or expanding, perhaps resonating throughout the surroundings.
Line 3
From the foothills.
“From the foothills” is the last line of the poem and helps readers better understand the geographical location within the landscape. Foothills are the lower slopes or base of a mountain or hill. They represent a transitional zone between flat terrain and more elevated regions.
The foothills in this poem evoke a sense of peacefulness, as they are removed from the hustle and bustle of urban areas and offer a closer connection to nature.
By stating that the voices are coming “from the foothills,” the last line of the poem further emphasizes the interplay between human activity and the natural setting. It reinforces the notion that the voices are part of the organic environment, emerging from the foothills as an integral part of the landscape.
FAQs
The tone of this poem is tranquil. The poem is quite short and simple, but with the lines the poet uses, readers can feel transported to a place of peace and contemplation.
This poem is important because it is a great example of the haiku form as well as Sōseki’s poetry. While Natsume Sōseki was an amazing writer, he is far better known for his prose than he is for his poetry today, meaning that each example of his poetry is all the more important.
Sōseki is known for creating some of the best-known examples of Japanese literature. These include Botchan, Kokoro, I Am a Cat, and a few others. His works are celebrated for their originality and depth.
Similar Poetry
Readers who enjoyed this poem should also consider reading some other Natsume Sōseki poems. For example:
- ‘Over the wintry’ – is a haiku that captures the desolate beauty of a winter landscape.
Some other similar poems include:
- ‘Everything I touch’ by Kobayashi Issa – is a beautiful haiku that speaks about relationships and nature.
- ‘The Old Pond’ by Matsuo Bashō – is a very famous haiku that describes a frog jumping into a pond.
