Yoshitoshi's 100 Aspects of the Moon
A Haibun Collection
Fox-Trot-9

1: The Courtesan Takao

The cuckoo's call awakens me into an empty bed, the gentle raise of the sun kissing the side on which you slept. You have left the pleasure of my arms, the pleasures of my kiss, the pleasure of my love, to return to Komakata. How can any man do it? But you, my love, are more than just any man to me, for you have taken my heart.

Long autumn journey—
Wherever you take my heart,
There resides my home.

(To be continued...)

A/N: Picture printed in October 1885. It depicts Takao hearing the lonely call of the cuckoo at dawn, upon which composes the accompanying verse as she imagines her lover arriving at the boat landing in Komakata. The word, Takao, is the name used by several celebrated courtesans who lived in Edo in the 1600's and early 1700's. It is not known which Takao is depicted here, but Stevenson suggests that it may be the 6th Takao, who was also known for her writing talents. This is the actual verse from the picture:

By now you must
Be near Komakata—
A cuckoo calls.

—The 6th Takao