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

5: Woman Watching the Shadow of a Pine Branch Cast by the Moon

A silent night stirs up the boredom of my thoughts, in which I wander aimlessly about my house. Such contemplation draws my gaze upon the tatami, where the shadow of a branch creeps imperceptibly across. The shadowed leaves flutter with the passing breeze, thrilling me with thoughts of things unseen and words unsaid. My words were final when we parted, yet it seems you linger even now.

The leaves have yet to
Fall off the withering branch—
Shadows of regret.

(To be continued...)

A/N: Picture printed in October 1885. It depicts a woman, possibly a courtesan, watching the shadow of a pine branch cast by the moon. Stevenson points out that, based on the hairstyle, the round uchiwa fan, and several other style elements, this design probably is a homage to Kitagawa Utamaro (1754-1806), famous for his prints depicting women. This is the actual verse from the picture:

Bright moon—
Across the tatami mats,
Shadows of pine branches.

—Haiku Master Takarai Kikaku (1661-1707)