Haiku for a day of drizzle

Step out the back door.
The fresh rain of spring smells
like old leaves.

-AK

Haiku for the 'karakaze'

The karakaze is the tormenting 'dry wind' that blows across the Kanto plain allegedly from Mt Akagi but generally from the north-east in the colder months. It kicks up dust and pollen and who knows what, umbrellas, blue polypropylene sheets, foam boxes, crocs etc. Things wind up strewn across the fields. I live along the Tone river where there is nothing to break the wind. Simple activities such as feeding the cats or taking out the food scraps to the compost become odious challenges.

The Kanto Plain in winter: Land of the Karakaze.

The wind! Stop blowing
my hair and eyes, so I
can sweep the step!

-AK

Haiku for spring in March

A cold wind in spring
White hills, pink blossoms and
blue in an ice puddle

-AK

花言葉 Flowers in pen,ink and watercolor

Today and tomorrow are unpleasant anniversaries in Japan. I don't want to dwell on them. March is the beginning of spring in most areas. The plum and apricot are starting to bloom, the wax flowers have almost finished and the first very small signs of new growth are appearing. The nurseries with their hot-houses have stolen a march, but outside, the tulips are starting to appear from the bare earth.

Recently I read Lytton Strachey's biography of Queen Victoria on my Kindle. It was very enjoyable! He was quite a funny guy and an excellent biographer. It rekindled (no pun !) my interest in 19th century art and design. With this in mind I started a series of floriography cards. These are small enough to allow me to finish them reasonably quickly with such limited studio time I have, as well as give me a straightforward subject for small watercolour and ink drawings with freehand design.