Ki no Tomonori

The third print in this year's series depicts Ki no Tomonori, who is perhaps best remembered for his work as one of the compilers of the 'Kokinshu', a large collection of old poetry.

The theme he has taken for his verse is the cherry blossom, that workhorse of Japanese poetry, and as I type this note today the image is easily called to mind. This past winter saw the opening of the new municipal swimming center here in Hamura, a place that has become my personal 'shrine', to be visited religiously each and every morning before settling down to my work. I'm not a good swimmer (yet!), but the exercise I get both in the water and on my bicycle going there and back, is doing a lot to counteract the effects of sitting crosslegged at my carving and printing benches all day.

The route to the pool passes by a large factory, along the border of which is a row of about 80 large trees spreading their long branches over the pathway to form a tunnel. Of course they are cherries, and I have been waiting all winter for what I saw this morning - 'mankai' - 100% open. The weather forecast looks good, and I should be able to enjoy the sight for the next few days.

Tomonori was Japanese. His poem is concerned with the fall of the blossoms. My feelings ...? I leave the pool, animated from the exercise, and cycle along under the endless pink clouds, savouring the spectacle, eager to get back to my bench where the most interesting and challenging work in the whole world is waiting for me. It's just not right for so much pleasure to come to one person!

April 1991