I Was Crushed I Was Lost - A Poem and Photos
More photos below the poem 詩の下に他の写真あり
I Was Crushed I Was Lost
Thinking of Africa
I sat and ordered
a deluxe veggie burger and fries
and when it came I ate but
I was crushed I was lost
Thinking of Ukraine
I order a computer part
got the old machine up and running but still
I was crushed I was lost
Thinking of Palestine and Israel
I paid my NHK broadcast fee
for my old TV to see disasters and again
I was crushed I was lost
Thinking of immigrant refugees
I got another COVID vaccine and had
a two-day hangover in the comfort of my own home
I was crushed I was lost
Thinking of the warming planet
I paid my car’s exorbitant shaken inspection fee
filled the tank with gas and drove away
I was crushed I was lost
Thinking local
I waved to dear friends in need
who are fighting not to die but to live
I was crushed I was lost
Trying to think or not to think
about the world news
I eat my needed breakfast
believing I am too thin to
skip meals even in solidarity…
nearly broken
I am crushed I am lost
Thinking of nothing
Thinking of everything
I bathe in morning sunrises
grateful for these peaceful moments
in that Light
I am crushed I am lost.
Two Sufis Two Shamans
Two American Sufi Mureeds, friends for some time on Facebook, finally meet in person in Chungju, Korea. I, Edward, based for more than 40 years in Japan, still doing my best to hold the vibration of the Universal Sufi Message here, though it’s been more in a “hidden” mode the last 20 years. Cybele, based in Korea for more than 20 years, specializing in sacred music, is the founder of the Ureuk World Music House (WMH), a music and artist retreat site in the countryside outside Chungju, with a stage for the performing arts in a traditional Korean lord's house. It is also a “hidden” Sufi retreat and power spot known to some as Sufianna an Nur (Sufi gathering place of Light) and soon to be outwardly known as the Cosmic Light House.
Cybele and I first met virtually during the pandemic through a photo I posted of a sacred tree in Kyoto on the Inayatiyya Facebook group. We decided to meet up when I made a short work visit to Korea in August. Cybele wanted to take me to a sacred shaman nature site nearby in the mountains. The spot is marked by a huge rock spot topped by a dead tree (Cybele said it died immediately after a fence was put around the rock by the local government to keep people from praying there); evidently the mountain spirits were not happy, now again it is a place to offer prayers to Nature. The spot used to be a sacred crossroads for travelers. There is a small alter in front of the rock to make offerings.
As we were thinking and imagining what to offer, and ready to light some incense, we noticed there were already two other Korean local ladies there getting ready to do some kind of ceremony. They said we could watch from a distance, and this is what we saw with our eyes and poem below the photos for what we felt:
Shaman Ladies
Braided bound chords of cloth
Shaken then ripped
Ripping the knots of humanity
two lay shaman ladies
in their daily clothes
standing, bowing with passion
calling upon and
appeasing the spirit of a giant rock
and a dead tree at
ancient crossroad
scared gathering spot.
In sweltering heat their voices barely heard
they call upon the mountain gods and energy
that controls our lives….
my friend and I stand and watch
unexpected sudden guests to this ritual event
us too, hot with the heat of the boiling summer day
watching sacred colors
Red Yellow Black White Blue
symbols of Humanity
weaved and waved by
these believers
in the Spirit of the Land
patient local shamans
global in their intent.
They also have work to do.
Afterwards the ladies followed us to the WMH to get a feel for the place and possibly offer some advice on the energy present there. All I know is that the next morning I had a very special meditation time in my simple, beautiful, private room (too many bugs to sit in the garden as planned). The above poem was inspired in an instant that morning.
After breakfast I helped Cybele with some gardening. Cybele was cleaning up around the big tree at the entrance, partly so we could get the car in and out more easily. My task was to cut and unravel some tenacious vines that had taken over three small fruit trees during the summer. It was not unlike the shaman ladies unknotting the weaved chords they had prepared, clearing the so-called knots in humanity and our relationship with Nature as well.
vines in the trees
battle the sickle
hot sun me
(Haiku by Edo, aka Edward Levinson)
Finally taking a break in the shade under a big tree, sitting on a prime view veranda, I was touched by Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan’s being. He seemed so pleased that this space in Korea existed and how my spot in Japan balanced with it and how we had created spaces for the Message here in Northeast Asia. Validation in any form is always dear.
Meditation time and hard labor work done, we were ready to take the car and treat ourselves by going out to lunch. Being super cautious driving out the narrow gravel road, we felt a hard bump and heard a shockingly loud hissing. We had hit a sharp rock (invisible to us in the high grass) that demolished the tire. While we waited for the wrecker, the “why” of our predicament came to both of our minds. A rock in the road could be a symbol, but interpretation of that is personal. I'm pretty sure somewhere Murshid’’s teachings it says, "the work of a Sufi is to remove rocks from paths of others" or something similar to that. Could have been Pir Vilayat who said or repeated it. My simple gardener mind always remembers the phrase and image. With extra unexpected effort, we certainly removed that rock from the path! I tossed that now broken thing off the road where hopefully it wouldn’t bother anyone else. I suppose the spirits of the land and the beings who knew we were there wanted us to slow down a bit. And so, we did.
sharp rock on the road
our so-called plans
a blow-out
(Haiku by Edo)
This is some guidance we came across after our untimely tire blowout!
By Edward Levinson with help from the spirit of Cybele.
Cybele is a musician from New York who came upon an abandoned traditional lord's house in the countryside of Korea. Entranced by the spot and the open-air stage of the house's porch, she spent the next 20 years creating a dream and then acquiring and restoring the house as a stage to preserve and promote world performing arts, and gather people in meaningful ways to expand the peace (inner and outer), joy, and connection in the world through music, the creative arts and culture. Cybele on Facebook.
For more info on Ureuk World Music House visit:
www.facebook.com/worldmusichouse
Unpublished poem and haiku copyright Edward Levinson.
Share with discretion.
For Edwards books visit the book page and his essay memoir book page "Whisper of the Land"
To see photos of Edward's Solo Hill Garden and House visit this link.
Local Summer Scenery
Local Summer Scenery ローカルな夏の風景 
A few days ago driving a back road in Kamogawa, a place I often drive by, the summer landscape looked nicer than usual. I stopped the mini-truck in the late hot morning sun and took a few photos of the place. On the left side of the river is a quaint gravel road with some cherry trees on one side and a gone-wild bamboo thicket. The bamboo green looks especially nice this time of year, but can be a nuisance when it becomes invasive. Along bamboo side of the road were the tell-tale signs of development, the orange ribbons tied here and there marking where to cut. In fact, one lot at the beginning of the road was already clear-cut, covered with gravel and now looking very hot. Having a little house along this river would be nice I am sure, but I worry about what the hodgepodge development will look like and what effects it will have on the environment. As I made a u-turn on the dead end road, a small “kyon” deer crossed on its way to the river. These over-populated mini deer can be a nuisance, just like the overgrown bamboo, but they are all living things and deserve our consideration. I hope if I go back during the spring cherry blossom season the place will still have some charm! (one more photo below the Japanese text)（日本語は写真の下にあります。)
数日前に鴨川のいつも使う裏道にドライブしたら,夏の風景が普段より綺麗に見えた。暑い昼前の太陽光で、ｋトラックを止めて、この場所を撮影しました。川の左側に趣のある砂利道があり、その片側に桜の木が並び、向かい側は野生になった細い竹の竹林があります。今の夏の時期に竹の緑色はとても綺麗だ、けれども生い茂ると迷惑になる事があります。竹林側にあったすぐ分かる開発の印、あちこちオレンジのリボンがあって、カットする位置に印を付けています。実際には道の入口の近くに一区画の土地がついでに伐採されて、砂利がしかれて、とても暑そうでした。この川の傍に家があるのは気持ちいいかもしれないけれど、このごった煮てきな開発の事を心配し、環境にどんな影響があるかと考える。行き止まりの砂利道でUターンしながら川へ行く小さいなキョンが道を渡った。今生い茂った竹と同じように、大変溢れているキョンはたしか迷惑ですが、彼らたちも生き物である、私たちの検討に値します。もし春の桜時期にまたこを訪ねたら、まだこの場所は魅力的であるように願います!
Shocked Awakening - A Poem and Photos
Here is a poem I wrote this fall. It seems appropriate for the end of 2022.
今年の秋に書いた歌です。2022年の終わりに相応しいと思います。（日本語訳は、英語と写真の続きにあります。）
A Buddhist monk praying for alms in Yurakucho, Tokyo. From the series Beauty and Symbolism in the City
Shocked Awakening
He was shocked to wake up
one morning and the climate had changed.
He was shocked that wars were still being fought
needlessly taking lives, foolishly destroying
homes, schools, and other necessities of Life.
He was shocked by the bullets spraying
in classrooms as students tried to learn
teachers tried to teach.
He was shocked by the author
who was stabbed with a knife and
the politician killed with a homemade shotgun.
He was shocked by how many people mostly
talked to others via machines
and never touched each other or communed with Nature.
He was shocked that no one
had made his strong coffee yet
and awakened him out of this sunrise nightmare.
But he wasn’t shocked that
the birds still sang
the cicada still buzzed
the ocean tides still moved in and out
the sun and moon still rose and gave light
and clouds tried to show the way.
Floating clouds…
Yes, a floating world
something to grab onto
so he wouldn’t sink into
a permanent state of shock.
He looked in the mirror at his beard
that seemed to have grown too long and too white,
grabbed some sharp scissors, said a prayer.
“Perhaps if I trim it, these shocks will disappear.”
「ショックな朝」
彼はショックだった。
ある朝目覚めたとき
気候が変動していたのだ。
彼はショックだった。
未だに戦争が戦われている
意味も無く命を奪い
住まい、学校、他の人生に必要な物を
破戒している馬鹿馬鹿しさに。
彼はショックだった。
若い学生が勉強し
教師が教えている教室で
銃弾が飛んでいた。
彼はショックだった。
ある有名な作家がナイフで刺された
ある政治家が手作り散弾銃で殺されたことに。
彼はショックだった。
数多い人々がほとんど機械だけで人々と話す
直接他の人と触れ合わず
生きている自然との触れ合いも無い。
彼はショックだった。
この日の出の悪夢から目覚めるための
朝のストロングコーヒーを
まだ誰も点てていなかった。
彼はショックだった。
数多い人々がほとんど機械だけ話し合う
直接他の人と触れ合わず
生きている自然との触れ合いも無い。
しかし彼にはショックでないこともあった。
鳥たちは未だに歌っていた
蟬はまだざわめいていた
海の干潮と満ち潮はいつもどおり動いている
太陽と月が上がり、光りがきらめいている
そして雲は道案内をしている。
彼はショックだった。
誰も彼の朝のストロングコーヒーを
まだ点てていなかった
この日の出の悪夢から目覚めるために。
しかし彼にはショックではないこともあった。
鳥たちは未だに歌っていた
蟬はまだざわめいていた
海の干潮と満ち潮はそのまま動いている
太陽と月がまだ上がり、光りがきらめいている
そして雲は道案内をしている。
浮雲.........
Yes、浮かんでいる世界で
何かを掴まえよう
彼が永遠に続くショック状態に
陥らないように。
彼は自分の鬚を鏡で見た
長すぎる､白すぎる、かもしれない、と思った
鋭い鋏を掴み､そして祈った
「もしかしたら、鬚を手入れすると
このたくさんのショックが消えてしまうかもしれない。」
"Kenja no Hige (Sage's Beard)" from the book Timescapes Japan
This poem was written for a monthly Poetry Challenge Group on the theme of the emoji for "shock".
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Haiku by Abdulkareem Kasid Inspired by Edward Levinson's Photos in the book Timescapes Japan
Kareem is an acclaimed Iraqi poet who l lives in London. We met at the World Haiku Conference 2019 in Tokyo where we both gave presentations. We formed an instant bond and stay in touch enjoying each others beings. Below is a sample of 11 of his haiku paired with my photos.
素晴らしい詩人の友だちアブドゥルカリーム・カシドさんが、最近ネットで、私のクラシックピンホール写真集『タ イ ムスケープス・ジャパン』を購入しました。数週間後、電子メールで、驚きの原稿を送くられまた。それは私の写真を見て、41の俳句をアラビア語と英語で作句したのです。写真集のページ番号の参照も入れてくれました。
カリームさんは絶賛されているイラクの詩人、現在ロンドンに住んでいます。二人の出合いは、 東京2019年9月の世界俳句会議でした。そこで彼も私もプレゼンターでした。一瞬絆の繋がりを感じました。現在もstay in touchて゛それぞれの存在を楽しんでいます。この下の、私の写真に合わせた彼の俳句11句をご鑑賞ください！
غابة -
ظلمة مطبقة
وطريقٌ مضيء
A deep darkness
A bright path
(Photo: Forest Path p.3)
*****
من الضفة
تدعوني شجرةٌ:
"اقتربْ!"
A tree calls me
To approach
(Photo: River Guardian p. 9)
*****
أنا عشُّك
فادخلني
I am your nest.
Enter.
(Photo: Free as a Bird p. 13)
*****
لا رحيل ولا عودةٌ أيها النهر
سفرٌ دائمٌ
يسيل
Continuous travel
Flowing.
(Photo: River Gorge p. 18)
*****
ابحثْ عنّي
بين صخورٍ وادعةٍ
تفترش الماء
Amid the rocks
Sitting humble in the water
(Photo: Old Coast p. 29)
*****
عبر الجسر
خلف الأشجار
روحي تتأرجح في غصن
Behind the trees
My soul swings in a branch
(Photo: Across the Bridge p. 60)
*****
كرةٌ من زجاج
هشّةً
أرضنا التي تدور
Fragile
Our spinning world.
(Photo: Crystal Ball p. 75)
*****
في سلامهم
أو حروبهم
يتصادم البشر
Or their wars
Humans collide.
(Photo: On the Subway p. 80)
*****
الهابطون من الجبل
كثيرًا ما ينسون
القمّة
Often forget
The summit.
(Photo: Mountain Monk p. 91)
*****
من يدري؟
قد يمرّ هؤلاء الأطفال
في دروب أشقّ من دروبنا!
These kids might pass
A harder paths than ours!
(Photo: Tokyo Kids p. 92)
*****
سأستريح لحظةً
مستأذنًا
الأبدية
I ask permission
Of Eternity.
(Photo: Resting p. 96)
*****
Haiku used with permission. All Haiku Copyright: Abdulkareem Kasid
Visit Abdulkareem Kasid on Facebook
**Kareem is using one of my pinhole photographs on the cover of his forthcoming Arabic poetry book.
カリームは、彼の次のアラビア語の詩集の表紙に私のピンホール写真を使用します。**
*****
The book Timescapes Japan is currently on sale a discounted price. Check out the Book Page.
2006年出版した第一作写真集、『タ イ ムスケープス・ジャパン』、特別セール中！
Break the Silence
「沈黙を破ろう」
日本語は英語つづき、写真のしたにあります。Break the Silence
In the silence
of my mind
What am I not
Hearing
In the silence
of the world
Where is
Communion
In the silence
of our actions
How will we
Progress
In the silence
of open hearts
Why don’t we
Scream
In the silence
of solidarity
When will we
Stand up
Breaking the silence
of our sad anger...
“Are we there yet?”
The children shout out.
====
Head bow to the late Japanese poet Nanao Sakaki for the title.
Written for a Poetry Challenge group on the theme Silence, May 2022
Photo by Edward Levinson 1985 JAPAN
「沈黙を破ろう」
心のなかの
沈黙している
なにかが
聞こえていないか
世界のなかの
沈黙で
分かち合いは
どこへいってしまったのか
われらの活動が
沈黙している
その進歩を
どうやってするのか
開いている心の
沈黙で
なぜ大きく
叫ばないか
われらの連帯の
沈黙で
立ち上がるのは
いつになるのか
われらの悲しい怒りの
沈黙を破るのは…….
「まだ始めないの？」
子どもたちが叫んでいる。
＝＝＝＝
(沈黙をテーマにした詩の挑戦Poetry Challengeのグループのためにかきました。
2022/0５)
On Love, Light, and Kindness - New Year 2022
I go to bed at 11pm on New Year’s Eve and set the alarm for 12:30am to attend a 1am Zoom gathering of The Abrahamic Reunion. I am a supporter from afar to this noble interfaith organization working for Peace in the Middle East and beyond. One my spiritual guides and a favorite teacher is the directing force behind this group and I am happy to follow along.
The hour-long session with speakers from various traditions emphasized our oneness, and the importance of the number one thing that we can do ourselves to promote peace. Love. Be love. Spread love. Sounds easy or idealistic but it really is the essence of a Unifying Peace, the cream at the top of all we can do. How can you hate someone you love?
Another message was the idea and importance of kindness emphasized young Druze Sheikh Yazan Farhat. And the opening message from Director Shahabuddin David Less that “we have work to do," but “peace is possible”. Two speakers in their early 20’s symbolized the hope, but also the time it may take to bring all this to fruition. At 2:30am I go back to sleep, more restful than usual.
With love and kindness the keywords from this midnight prayer session, I awaken at first morning light and these watchwords come to mind again.
I say to myself: “Be kind, be love (loving)”, and “be calm” (something I need to work on!)
The New Year’s first sunrise on Solo Hill is around 7:50am this season; my spot under the cherry looked warmer than usual, even though the water in all the clay rainwater pots and buckets in the garden were frozen. The North wind that seems to be blowing a lot these days was silent as was the sounds from town as it usually is on New Year’s morning.
“My” cherry tree with its 1.5 meter (5 feet) circumference trunk planted by us 20 years ago has many forks about at my chest height. And now the just risen sun was shining through one major fork and connecting with me, me with it. One solid trunk, a strong foothold in the clay soil, hanging on the edge of a slope. Many forks — one trunk — rooted in one earth — one me connected to oneness of nature, of spirits and friends, to the One Prayer, feeling that we can, will, and do make the world a better place. Even if we are often embroiled in our own petty stuff, in reality we need to deal with all that efficiently and fairly.
How difficult or how easy is it to maintain that peaceful loving attunement in everyday life. How many moments in the day are necessary for us to be aware of it to make it a reality? Or can it be a built-in part of our being, something that is so easy that we don’t need to think about it or even know that we are doing it. Perhaps like the now cliche “meditation in action” or the more profound “mastery through accomplishment” as Hazrat Inayat Khan called it.
So enthralled was I by the cold morning with warm sun and no wind, a fairly decent night’s sleep - I had gone out without my winter hat and scarf, just a my thin Japanese tenugui cotton utility scarf wrapped around my crown. Not wanting to break my mood and go back up the stone steps to the house, I improvised adding one more layer with the crumpled red American bandana from my back pocket. Red for the New Year, balance of East and West?
With humor and a smile I greeted the New Year with the constancy of my daily meditation/prayer practices, finding the comforting repetitiveness of doing it everyday (as much as possible!), balanced by the new energy and new insights it brings me.
Later the same day, about an hour before sunset, by the sea at one of my favorite sunset spots I greet the Sun again. To my side is a tiny shrine about 90 cm tall, undecorated for the New Year even though its the look-out and one of the guardians of the small fishing port. There is only enough space for one or two people to stand after climbing the 10 uneven steps to get there. I face the Sun - thinking nothing - saying no prayer - but the body actually becoming the prayer, filling with light. With a minuscule shrine by my side as a partner I soaked up some Light… or did it soak me up?
Back in the warm car circling the port, five minutes later now on the shadow side, processing what happened, I have to pull over and jot down some notes, afraid the moment may pass. “Pray without ceasing”, “the body becoming a vessel”, “Remembrance”, “the whole body [meaning: my being] radiating a prayer, consciously or subconsciously”, “always attuned”.
The next day, I go for a first New Year’s walk with a friend in the woods behind a mountain shrine. Around one bend in the path is a stately backlit tree. Adjust your vision or position and the late afternoon Sun overwhelms. I smile and say to myself and to my friend,“ Bombed with Light”. Again and again…
************ 
***Note: A recording of the session mentioned in essay is on YouTube
"Prayer of New Beginnings" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaLKKi1715Y
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Voyage in the Valley de Loue
The old Renault swayed on darkening mountain curves as Jean, my French friend and guide, skillfully descended the last road down into Ornans, a medium size town in the Besancon region of France and the gateway to the scenic Valley de Loue. The imagined landscapes remained a mystery until the next day.
I awoke in Jean’s 100-year-old “leaning” house in the historic Nahin district, located on the river beside the ancient Nahin Bridge (1607). Stepping out onto his small balcony, the mist on the Loue River had created a classic scene: luscious river curves in the soft morning light.
A morning visit to Courbet Museum, also perched on the edge of the river, provided a good background to his works, introducing his radical painting and philosophy. In an imaginative interactive display, various “characters” pictured in his painting The Artist’s Studio “talk” to the viewer serving as a theatrical introduction. My guide informed me that many of the landscape works he painted in the area are covered with a varnish which overtime has become darker than the imagined originals and luminous landscapes surrounding the town.
With blue sky and plenty of sunshine I was ready to get outside and see some real landscapes and capture my interpretation of the light with my camera instead of a brush.
Up on the plateau high above the town and valley is Courbet’s birthplace, La Ferme Courbet, a modernly restored farmhouse structure housing a gallery for guest artists and small concerts and a few overnight rooms for tourists. On this warm fall day we sat in the flower and vegetable garden enjoying drinks from the cafe while real cowbells played in the distance.
Abundant plateau cows supply the raw goods for local makers of cheese. The hard salty compte cheese is a specialty of the area; madam at one country shop enticed us with samples of various aged versions. Another delicacy is the Mont D’Or cheese, which is only made in the season with milk from cows grazing naturally in the rich meadows. Along the roads, coming face to face with these busy bovines, I thanked them for their part in the gourmet process.
Aiming for the late afternoon glow we descended back into the river valley, managing to catch some classic compositions at the Chateau de Cleron, with its pointed domes, and the massive old stone Viaduc de La Breme (also an old train trestle) both scenically positioned along the river as if waiting for artists. Next, a roadside spot where a marker tells us one of Courbet’s paintings was done. Two experienced photographers — one a local — couldn’t find the exact scene but we imagined Courbet’s presence on the riverbank.
The next day a light rain and mist had moved into the valley. Taking advantage of the midday even light we drove up to a viewpoint above Ornans. Seeing the panorama, the tiny St. George Chapel (built 1289, restored 1500) where someone had placed seasonal garden flowers on the altar, and lived-in old stone houses easily transported me to another era where there was once a fortress castle.
In the afternoon the weather cleared and it was finally time to drive along the river road deeper into the Valley de Loue. Heading upstream, one comes upon natural green curves gently massaged by the flowing water. Scenic villages seem to be located in spots where the mood and faces of the Loue changes.
Vuillafans is small and quiet, and like all the villages has a historic church (with a bell all the way from China). A stroll across the bridge gives you a framed view of another smaller bridge; quaint old houses offer a taste of how it would be to live here. If the day is right you can sample a tasty local specialty of fresh water trout at the small corner restaurant beside the river.
Further up the road is Lod, officially on the list as one of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages”. After photographing the rapids descending over rocks with the village as a backdrop, we left the car by the river and walked up the sloped narrow streets and paths looking at the picturesque old homes and gardens. The garden beside the church was a good example of French style pottage, a mix of vegetables and flowers in a homey style. Perhaps it was off-season or the “iffy” weekday weather, but we seemed to have the place to ourselves.
Having indulged my habit to stay photographing “too long” in one place, Jean gently mentioned there was still more to see up the road. A short time later we were driving up through the Gorges de Noailles, a scenic mountain pass, carved by the ages. The area’s signature rock faces dotted the mountain landscape giving the impression of both a smiling and stoic nature.
Shortly before dark we finally arrived at the “Source de La Loue”. A six hundred meter walk from the car park one comes to a hollowed out area where the River Loue makes it debut flowing out of a cave opening in the mountainside. The gray damp day heightened the mystique and the sacred timelessness of the spot; I envisioned the area’s ancient dwellers here paying homage to the gods of the valley.
The next day I spent quietly exploring the town of Ornans on foot. A short walk from the town center, across the river from the main road, are grassy fields accented with landmark trees, wooden fences, and a place to experience horseback riding. The wide valley allows a good view of the surrounding mountains and cliffs contrasting with the narrow winding river road.
Back in the old part of town are interesting shops and galleries, churches, and narrow back streets and paths. The river is the focal point with each bridge offering a different splendid post card view. Light floats on the surface mirroring the clouds floating above. The many houses hanging on the edge, become one with the magical River Loue.
The day ends relaxing with a beer at an outdoor cafe beside the river on the edge of town. The low angle sun softens the mood. Looking through the lens, with a paintbrush, or just the natural eye, Courbet’s art in my mind, I am inspired by both realism and impressionism in the light of the Valley de Loue.
ALL PHOTOS AND TEXT COPYRIGHT EDWARD LEVINSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
FOR PERMISSION TO REPRINT THIS ARTICLE ABOVE PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY.
Blog Index Page
Summer Fun in the Country
Summer Fun in the Country 田舎の夏の楽しみ
A Top Ten Mix of Good and Bad: 良いものと悪いもののトップ10ミックス：(英語のみ）
1.
Bumble bee buzzes
bumbles about
mistakes the gas burner flame
for a flower.
2.
Barking deer’s lonely cry
reminds me of my cute dog
calling for his supper
then in old age calling us
to change his bed sheet.
3.
Wasp zaps arm and leg
while on high ladder.
Jumping to the ground a meter or more
cursing not wasps…but myself.
Forgot to check for tenants
before chopping back
five meter high climbing rose.
Wasp sting worse than
needle point rose thorns
piercing body.
Price paid for roses’ beauty.
4.
Sly mosquitoes
meander my body
looking for a drink
of my blood
not knowing or caring about
my iron deficiency.
5.
Foolish horseflies
no subtlety at all,
make kamikaze dives
into the smell of sweat,
only to be easily taken out
by a swat or two
with an old newspaper or
the towel off my head.
Rest in Peace.
6.
In a trap, a cage,
a wild boar stinking dead
in nearly unbearable heat,
worse than the long gone mouse
found under the shower floor.
Two more for the prayer list.
7.
Hours after sunset
a curled up poisonous mamushi snake
appreciates the warmth
of my heat holding front walk tiles…
must check, double check…
flashlight, porch light, stick in hand
before making a move
out my own front door at night
to tinkle with the stars.
*Summer fun in the county joy to a few saving graces:
8.
Hot high noon…
some unseen bird
deep in the woods
sings exquisite tune
never heard before
9.
Night, a huge toad hops up
patrolling and eating
insects on the deck
as I sip cold sweet wine.
10.
Cool breezes blow
on my exposed hilltop
long days of light
short fear of the night.
Oh yes…and surfing into a sunset!
Can’t complain
Pay attention
Everything
Just right.
(written August 5, 2018, inspired by real events of that summer!)
After a Stormy Year
嵐のような年2020の終わり、希望を持って新年を待つ！
=====
NOTE*
People have been asking "where". Its on the Boso Peninsula near my house - 3 Km (less than 2 miles) - Futomi, Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture, JAPAN
所：房総半島、千葉県鴨川市太海、家から３KMです。
Season's Greetings and Gratitude
Christmas Day in Japan
Nothing special happening
Except Year End Cleaning.
Tired, I take a break: a fresh local mikan tangerine, a cup of strong green tea with a salty umeboshi plum in it for extra energy. I place an imitation McVities Digestive Chocolate Biscuit on my tongue savoring the bite size taste. What I see and suddenly feel is the blood, sweat, and tears of those who produced these life treats: fruits, wheat, sugar, salt, tea, and chocolate.
Gratitude on a Sunny Day
Sitting in a Sunny Spot
I gratefully partake.
今日はクリスマスです。
年末の掃除や片づけ以外
特別に何も起きていない。
疲れが出てきたので、休憩します。
地元のミカンと、梅干し入り濃い味の日本茶を一口元気になるために味わい、エネルギーの足しにします。
そして模造のマクビティダイジェスティブチョコレートビスケットを舌の上に置きます。
すると突然、見えてきて感じるのは、その人生の宝物…果物、小麦、砂糖、塩、茶、チョコレート…を作った人たちの血、汗、涙 「blood, sweat, and tears」でした。
晴れた日に感謝
太陽をいっばい浴びて座る
いただきます。
Wreath Installation: by Tsuruta Shizuka.
Photo by Edward Levinson - Copyright 2020.
Wisdom of the Crows
Its Winter in my part of the world. I share this piece I wrote in the 1990’s.
今日は冬至です。90年代の私の作品を見つけました。お読み下さい。
- The Wisdom of the Crows -
“In our blackness we represent your shadows.
You see in us what you don’t like in yourself,
a loud voice, greed, pranks....
We band together searching for acceptance.
We fly to rise above our negative image.
In the sky we see ourselves in a shadow-less light.”
「カラスたちからのメッセージ」
私たちが黒いのは あなたの影を写しているからなのです。
あなたが私たちに見ることは あなたの中にある嫌いなもの
うるさい声 欲望 いたずら……。
私たちは群れになり 受け入れられるもの探し出します。
私たちが空高く飛ぶのは、否定的なメージを越えるためなのです。
空には影も無く 光り輝く自分たちがあるからです。
My Photos with Greek Haiku
Greek poet and visual artist Ms. Maria Papatzelou has composed 8 haiku to go with 8 of my black and white pinhole photographs from the “Moments in the Light” series and book. Her lovely haiku are in English and Greek. Maria’s soft touch with the words blends effortlessly with the soft pinhole atmosphere. A most enjoyable collaboration. Thank you Maria!
ギリシャの詩人および芸術家、マリア・パパツェロさんは、私のモノクロームのピンホール写真8点に合わせて､８句の俳句を作りました。写真は「きらめきのなかに」のシリーズと本よりです。これらの素敵な句は英語とギリシャ語です。彼女の言葉の柔らかいタッチは、ピンホールの柔らかい雰囲気に自然に溶け込んでいます。楽しいコラボレーションでした。
マリアさん、ありがとうございました。
http://www.monocleread.gr/2020/12/27/moments-in-the-light8-photographs-by-edward-levinson-8-haiku-by-maria-papatzelou/
I recently became a member of “Writers in Kyoto”
最近、“Writers in Kyoto”「ライターズ・イン・京都」グループの会員になりました。京都について英語で書く素晴らしい人々のグループ。その英語のウェブサイトに掲載のため、私は自己紹介を書きました。私の日本のバックストーリーと、俳句3句、短い誌、写真6点です。良い英語の勉強になります！（俳句は英語と日本語、そのウェブサイトには、どなたでもアクセス出来ます。）
https://www.writersinkyoto.com/2020/12/edward-levinson-introduction/
"Spirit's Home" from the Sacred Japan series
Welcoming the Winter Light! “Sun and Sea Dialogue”
ようこそ、冬の光！『太陽と海の対話』2分の動画 エドワード・レビンソンより。
https://vimeo.com/487204089
Interview with pinhole photographer Edward Levinson
Interview by Nancy Breslin. Coordinated by Malin Fabbri.
https://www.alternativephotography.com/edward-levinson-pinholes/
「ピンホール写真家エドワード・レヴィンソンへのインタビュー」がAlternativePhotography.comのウェブサイトに掲載されました。特に「マインドゲーム」カラーコラージュシリーズと私の最新のシリーズは昨年展示され、出版された『Spots of Light - 東京』についてお話します。英語のみですけど、9枚の写真がみられます。
From "Spots of Light -Tokyo"
The Need To Mantra
The Need To Mantra
The Need to:
Print out
Shout out
Come out
Be out
The Need to:
Know about
Think about
Care about
About us
About me
About you
About one
One with…
One with… What with?
One with love
Love with Joy
Joy with Compassion
Passion for Planet
Planet for People
People for Knowledge
Knowledge for Life
Life for Experience
Experience in Moment
Experience in Love
Experience in Nature.
Nature for People
People for Flowers
Flowers for Bees
Bees for Universe
Universe….
Universe….
Into the Universe
Into the Universe
Into the Ocean
Into the Ocean
Into the Forest
Into the Forest
Into the Earth
Into the Earth
The Need to:
Repeat
Repeat
Repeat as necessary
a mantra
your own mantra.
One with Verse
One with Universe
One Universe
One Universe.
「必要なのはのMantra」
必要なのは:
プリントアウト
叫び声
告白
外へ行く
必要なのは:
知ること
考えること
世話すること
私を
あなたを
私たちを
一つのことを
一つと一緒
一つと 一緒 ——— 一緒なにと ？
一つになる愛
愛とともに喜び
喜びで慈悲
プラネットへの情熱
人間はプラネットに
知識使う人間
人生の知識
経験ある人生
瞬間に経験
愛に経験
自然に経験
自然は人間に
人間は花に
花ははちに
はちは宇宙に
宇浦 ＿＿＿
宇浦 ＿＿＿
宇浦のなかへ
宇浦のなかへ
海のなかへ
海のなかへ
森のなかへ
森のなかへ
土のなかへ
土のなかへ
必要なのは:
繰り返す
繰り返す
必要に繰り返す
Mantraを
自分のMantraを
歌と一緒
宇宙と一緒
一つの宇宙
一つの宇宙。
Jika Tabi "Earth Shoes"
fall wind 秋の風
takes the unknown road 未知の道行く
spreading wings 伸ばす
aki no kaze, michi no michiyuku, hane nobasu
“As I left my cabin home in the woods of Virginia on a sunny October morning, I sensed the purpose of my trip to Japan was not exactly what I had thought. I planned to be open. I hung up the overalls, put on my best jeans and freshly oiled boots, happy to be on the road again. I wondered what life lessons lay ahead.” (from Whisper of the Land, essay "Unknown Road")
******************
I came to Japan in the fall of 1979 on the wings of wanderlust. It wasn’t long before I figured out Red Wing work boots weren’t the best footwear for visiting people’s homes and temples where you always had to take your shoes off. I soon went to a department store and bought a fashionable pair of Mizuno brand white sneakers.
When visiting an organic farmer in the mountains outside Kyoto I discovered jika tabi, which I was told translated as “earth shoes”. I immediately went to the country store and bought a pair. In my mind they still are the perfect footwear for gardening, especially in small Japanese gardens when walking on delicate moss or odd shaped stepping stones and when working my own small hand dug beds in my garden. They are also great for climbing and trimming trees. Made not of leather but of cloth and rubber, there is something special about the soft way these shoes touch the earth.
So here is a photo of my old work boots which never got much use in Japan and a pair of my favorite jika tabi. To read more about where I have walked in both pairs of shoes check out my memoir-like collections of essays, "Whisper of the Land” from which the above haiku and quote come from. Celebrating the fourth anniversary of its publication, "Whisper of the Land" is on sale for the special price of 1,000 yen ($10) - plus shipping (In Japan 180 yen, outside Japan $5 - special rate) - offer good until Jan 31st, 2019. Please message or email me (edoATedophoto.com) with your email address if interested or order through my website.
http://whisperoftheland.com/buy.html
photos: © Edward Levinson
Fall wind 秋の風
Takes the unknown road 未知の道行き
Spreading wings 伸ばす
「輝く十月の朝、バージニアの森の中のキャビンを去るとき、日本への旅の目的は、必ずしもぼくがこうだと考えている通りではない、とぼくは感じた。そこで予定は立てないことにした。トレードマークの、胸当ての付いたオーバーオールとワークブーツを履いたぼくは、頭の回転の遅い無骨な田舎者のように見えるだろう。そこで、オーバーオールを脱いで一番良いジーンズを穿き、新しくオイルを塗ったブーツを履いた。再び旅に出ることが、ぼくにはうれしかった。今度の旅で、どんなレッスンを受けるのだろう? 東京行き中国航空機はサンフランシスコから飛び立った。」
「ぼくの植え方」岩波書店 より「路上を再び」
“On the Road Again”
**************************************
1979年秋、旅行熱が昂じてぼくは日本にやって来た。「レッドウィング」のブーツでは、常に履き物を脱ぐ他人の家や寺院にはふさわしくない、と気づくのに長くはかからなかった。それでデパートに行き、「ミズノ」のおしゃれな白いスニーカーを買った。
京都郊外の山中にあったオーガニックの農家を訪ねた時、ぼくは「地下足袋」を発見した。英語で「大地の靴」と教えられた。直ぐに村の店に行き、一足買った。ぼくの考えでは、これは今でも庭仕事にふさわしい履き物だと思っている。特に、日本庭園の繊細な苔や変わった形の踏み石の上を歩くときや、手で掘り起こすぼくの小さな庭で仕事をするのには。そしてまた、剪定のために木に登るにはすばらしいのだ。
皮でなく布とゴムで出来たこの履き物には、大地に触れる何か特別なやり方があるのだ。
そういうことで、日本ではそれほど履かなかった古いワークブーツと、僕の大好きな地下足袋の写真がこれです。ぼくがこれらをどこで履いたかについては、個人史的エッセイ "Whisper of the Land”を読んで下さい。上記の俳句もこの本に載っています。
"http://whisperoftheland.com/buy.html
日本語版はエドワード･レビンソン著「ぼくの植え方」岩波書店刊です。ネットでどうぞ。
https://www.iwanami.co.jp/book/b264265.html
Plum Blessings
May 31. I was in Tokyo’s Nogizaka area and having arrived early for a meeting, as usual I went walking into the Nogi Shrine compound. It looked like rain would fall at any moment and it was very dark at 3:00 in the afternoon, but the stone lanterns were lit warming up the mood. Suddenly a wedding procession came out of the office buildings heading for the sanctuary. With just one big bright red umbrella (for the bride in her regal wedding kimono) it made a nice photo. Praise be to the threat of rain and best wishes and blessings for the couple getting wedded on this weekday afternoon.
I slipped off to the side to take some different photos and leave them in privacy. But my attention was drawn back to them when I heard live gagaku traditional Japanese music being performed on the sacred “stage” by 4 or 5 musicians. Its quite unusual to have live music at this kind of small wedding (usually its recorded music, at least that’s what the official wedding photographer told me). I didn’t have a recorder with me, so I turned on the compact camera and hit the video record button, not for the visuals, but to capture the music. (Having a good smart phone would have helped in this situation and unfortunately I seem to have also lost my good mini digital recorder I used to carry around in my waist pouch.) I was thinking maybe I could use some of the music in my new Kyoto movie. Afterward I talked to a shrine maiden who gave me the name of the music group, who aren’t part of the shrine but “freelance” or for hire for weddings etc.
Looking at my watch I was nearly late for my meeting by this time. As walked down the steps leaving the shrine, a green plum (symbol of the rainy season) fell off a tree I hadn’t even noticed and rolled to a stop at my feet. I scooped it up and put it in my pocket as a talisman. This plum from the Nogi Shrine is now shriveling up sitting in my studio, ready to be tossed into my garden along with a little prayer.
**A side note about “plum seeds”: I once read a novel that took place in Tibet, a spiritual peasant’s life tale (I forget the title). The old grandmother of the main character tells him to always return his plum seeds to the soil after eating the fruit. It was maybe 30 years ago that I read that book but I still follow her advice. Those who know me know I love the Japanese umeboshi salted plums. I eat them at home, and when traveling for energy and consider them a “medicinal” food. Most of them are homemade ones from trees in my garden. I always save the seeds to throw somewhere. Sometimes its on a patch of earth under a tree or in a flower planter in Tokyo, or I bring it home to my own garden. On the last trip to France, as I was emptying my pockets before going through security I found a dried seed I had forgotten about. So I stepped out of the terminal building to throw it on a spot of grass under some trees. A security guard was standing outside leaning against the building smoking a cigarette. I didn’t want any trouble so before I tossed it I showed it to him and told him what I was doing. “It’s a ritual, a tradition,” I said, “tossing a seed on the ground of the land I am visiting.” He smiled, more a laugh, and motioned for me to go for it. I pitched it under a tree then headed for my plane home. Always feels good to leave a bit of oneself behind.
A Tree Moves and Grows...
A tree moves and grows in two directions yet oddly it doesn’t go anywhere. The roots go down deep or at the very least spread out horizontally at varying degrees of depth, climbing, spreading, growing underground. But the other half goes up and out, touching the environment in a different way. Its easy to see why this is so symbolical for me. A tree is effecting the earth; while not physically moving, it is growing and contributing something to the world even though to the naked eye it is standing still. And that is the attraction and realization for me and others to my photo "Reflections of Self". A personal, yet universal self portrait.....
木は二つの方向に動き、生長し、奇妙なことにそれはどこにも行かない。根は奥深く地面に入るか、すくなくとも水平に広がり、深さを変えながら地下に伸び、広がって行く。しかし、幹と枝は、 さまざまな方法で環境に触れながら、上に伸び、広がる。このことが私にとって非常に象徴的である理由は簡単だ。木は地球に影響を与えている。物理的に動かず、ふつうの目には動きは見えず、ただ立っているままだが、木は生長して、世界に何かを貢献し、地球に影響を与えているのだ。この私の写真「自己の鏡」は私にとって、また他者にとって、魅力であり認識であるように願う。個人的でありながらかつ普遍的セルフポートレート.....
Moving Forward
burning tired eyes
clears vision
冬の日光 疲れ目に焼き付き ビジョン晴れる
fuyu no nikkō, tsukare me yakitsuki, bijon hareru
“Another years over and what have you done”, I posted on FB Dec 30.
Then I said, on a scale of 1 to 10, I give myself a 5. Fair enough I guess.
12月３０日ＦB でこの言葉をポストしました。
「また一年が終わり、[あなた]はどんなことをしたのだろうか？」
1から10のスケールで、私は自分自身に5を与えるでしょう！まあまあかな。。
and Now….それから……..
"Moving Forward" 「前向きに」（今のところは英語のみ）
Jan.1, 2017 ２０１７年１月１日元旦
Making progress towards something, now a senior (nearly) but young at heart, always telling people I am stuck at 33 years old, the age at which I “retired” to the country life, which is not retirement at all but the beginning of, or continuation of, a never-ending-story as I am fond of saying. So here I sit, New Year’s morning 10AM at the sunny and toasty dining room table, putting down a few thoughts.
Trying to start off “good”, I awoke fairly early and did my meditation before the sun came up. Not super cold today so was able to do it outside under the cherry tree in my usual spot. Last year, I went to the beach to see the sunrise, but this year decided to be “home” in “my spot”, my center of the universe from which I hope to start each day and make a difference in the world.
Though its nice to have the sunrise right before or about half-way through the meditation, this time of year it doesn’t hit my spot until nearly 8AM, so I was in the “shadows of the gods” so to speak. After meditation, I did take two cameras and make a few shots of the symbolic first sunrise of the year.
Now the plan is to have a slow day, with some reflection, and relaxation. I am always amazed by serendipity and synchronicity and being in the right place at the right time. But I like to have guidelines and rules since “rules are for fools”, they say! I like to have a plan. Maybe it’s my temperament to want to make good use of my time, not just my personal time, but to keep my place, to hold my place in the flow of time. And somehow finding that balance point between my will and a greater will which in traditional language I call Divine Will.
So no matter what the new year’s resolutions and goals are, its good to imagine the affect they may have on me and the affect on the whole greater picture.
Here is the short list that should keep me occupied well into the future:
Things to work on:
- the need for better quality sleep and relaxation to recharge mentally and physically (spiritual enlightening dreams would be a bonus)
- the need to better handle the regrets that come in daily life and hang around too long like unwelcome guests — ah the quest for perfection is a good goal but it is a continuous journey
- the need to stay personally sensitive without having sensitivity turn into regret
- the need to channel cosmically felt sensitivity into compassionate action
Things to stay committed to:
- a diet that is good for me, the planet, and all living things
- kindness, big and small…I really enjoy the mini stories that happen
- generosity, big and small, local and global
- keeping the garden as a bridge between humans and raw nature, pretty as a picture, and as metaphor for life
Things that don’t help:
- lack of confidence in what I am doing, even if I think its good and right
- forgetting the bigger picture
- feeling alone…(counterpoint: we are all in this together, so listen to a bird song, a favorite singer, or an inspirational speaker; feel the wind and know that someone somewhere is caressing you)
Things that do help:
- find a phrase or image that inspires, describes, pushes, mirrors, stretches my intentions and will….Remember it with repetitive practice.
- stop and feel the stillness and also keep moving.
As a Buddhist prayer that fits everyone says:
“Be Well, Be Happy, Peace”
January 1, 2017
Morning Looking 朝に見るものは
What do you look at first thing in the morning?
Perhaps still sleepy, do you look out the window to see what kind of a day it is?
Do you look at the face of some loved one who lives with you?
You get up, wash your face, probably make a cup of coffee or tea.
But then what?
Do you peer into the sky? Face the sun?
Look at some green trees or plants, some colorful flowers?
Close your eyes again for a moment, imagine
some inner landscape to greet the new day, to get grounded or ethereal,
whichever is necessary for you on this day.
Or do you wake up, reach for your favorite device and check-in to that world?
I make it a point to avoid those screens for at least the first hour of the day,
that quiet time where it seems easiest to tap into
the source of inspiration and the inner voice.
I don’t always hear it and I may miss a few days, but
its always worth it to make the effort.
Related Reading: "Whisper of the Land” Chapter One “Morning Meditation”
(see one more photo below Japanese text)
「朝に見るものは」
朝一番、あなたは何を見るだろうか？
たぶんまだ眠いだろうが、窓から眺めると、今日はどんな天気だろうか？
一緒に住んでいる愛する人の顔を見るだろうか？
起きあがって、顔を洗って、たぶんお茶やコーヒーを一杯入れる。
しかしそのあとには？
空を眺めるか？ 太陽に向かうか？
緑の木や植物、またはあざやかな色の花を見るか？
ちょっとの間、もう一度目を閉じる、ある内面の風景を想像して。
この新しい日に挨拶し、自分自身を地につけるか、天にのぼるか、
どちらがその日のあなたに必要だろうか。
あるいは、起きるとすぐに好きなデバイスを手にし、
その世界にチェックインするか？
私は少なくともその日の最初の１時間以上は、スクリーンを見ることを避ける。
その静かな時間が、インスピレーションの源となり、内面の声が一番入りやすい時だ。
いつも聞こえるわけではないけれど、そして時々その特別な時間を逃してしまうが、
しかし努力することは常に価値があるのだ。
参考：「ぼくの植え方」岩波書店 第1章 「あさの瞑想」
Both photos are "Zone Plate" images
Spring Sunsets
These days the sun is always finding me. Or is it the other way around? It really hard to say sometimes. Walking on a path in the woods I have to constantly put the brakes on to my purposeful striding - stop, look, take a photo, ( physically and mentally), then smile and march on. “March” seems like a hard word to use, but paired with Soldier of Light it sounds appropriate. It is not just looking at and enjoying the light, but being able to convey it to others. Sometimes when I am watching the movement of the sun crossing the forest or raking across the metallic buildings in the city, I look around and it seems as if most people don’t notice it. Even when I am in a hurry I HAVE TO stop. I WANT TO stop. Who sees who? Who sees what?
In the fall, the setting of the sun is short and sweet, to the point of being made into a well-know Japanese metaphor:
Aki no yuu hi, tsurebe otoshi
“The fall sun sets as a bucket falling into a well”
Makes me wonder if there is an opposite version for a spring season, long-lasting sunset. The other day I was driving east towards home down the two-lane highway known as Nagasa Kaido (translated loosely as “The Long and Winding Road”). A red sunset ball in my rearview mirror seemed to hang there forever, like one of those red laser-pointer dots, following my actions, appearing as red catch lights on unsuspecting house windows and shimmering across water filled spring paddies. So here is my metaphor in the form of a haiku.
spring sunset
floats freely
balloon on fire
春夕日
燃える風船
ゆるり浮かぶ
Haru yuu hi, moeru fusen, yururi ukabu
For two days in a row I found myself in the forest, facing the setting sun as it moved in slow motion towards the end of its day, filling me with the coincidental wonder of being in the right place at the right time.
"Spring Sunset" 1996 (photo from my book "Timescapes Japan" p 19
写真は「タ イ ムスケープス・ジャパン」p19より
Sensei Sleeps
A self-portrait taken while teaching a pinhole photography workshop on the Boso Peninsula coast, Kamogawa. A cloudy day and a two minute exposure time. I decided to take a quick nap.
「先生が寝る」撮影：1999
自画像。房総半島、鴨川でのピンホール写真ワークショップを教えながら撮影した。曇りの日、露光時間2分、少し昼寝しました。
Into the Darkoom
暗室で篭もる
光探し
Winter storm
Retreat to the darkroom
Looking for the light
fuyu arashi, anshitsu de komoru, hikari sagashi
今日は寒くて、雪と風。。
久しぶり暗室でプリントの試し刷りしました。
コンピュータではなく、アナログのゆっくりの世界。
Very cold today with snow and wind...
Hadn't printed in the darkroom in a long time, so today I finally made some new proof prints. Away from the computer, the slow world of analog.
