落葉
山路を歩いてゆくと 今落ちたばかりの 黄色い朴の葉が五六枚 支那沓のやうに反りかへって 道に散乱してゐた あゝこの艶な色の目覚ましさ まるで誰か貴い人達が 沓をぬぎ捨てゝ 素足で去った 夢のシインのあとのやうな静かさ
The Life and Works of Motomaro Senge
Biography
Motomaro Senge was a Japanese poet of the Taisho era and a notable member of the Shirakaba or "White Birch" literary circle. His poetry is known to be humanistic and optimistic as well as minimalistic and artless. Born on June 8, 1888 in Koujimachi Ward, Tokyo (presently: Chiyoda Ward), Senge was the illegimate eldest son of the aristocratic baron, Takatomi Senge, and the painter Baigai Ogawa (real name: Toyoko). As a child Senge attended the prestigious Keio Gijuku Yochisha Primary School and Keio Futsubu School. He was also enrolled at Tokyo Ritsu Daishi Middle school (presently: Tokyo Ritsu Toyama High School). Senge's youth was a carefree time. He studied under Saneatsu Mushakouji--a prolific author and key member of the Shirakaba--and in 1913 he contributed some of his works to the literary magazine "Terracotta". His first collection of works, "Jibun wa Mita" was published in 1918; it was followed in 1919 by "Niji". Mushakouji's philosophy of humanitarianism influenced Senge's writing and after the publication of the literary magazine "Mugi", he was thereafter known as a humanitarian poet. Much of Senge's writing concerns the daily lives and events of common people.
Motomaro Senge died on March 14, 1948.
Ochiba
This website takes its name from the following poem published in the "Arare" collection (1931):
ochiba
yamaji aruite yuku to ima ochita bakari no kiiroi hou no ha ga go-rokumai shinagutsu no yau ni kaerikahette michi ni sanran shite ita aa, kono adeyaka na iro no mezamashisa marude dare ka toutoi hitotachi ga kutsu o nugisutete suashi de satta yume no shiin no ato no yau na shizukasa
Fallen Leaves
While I was walking down a mountain path, five or six yellow hou leaves, curled up like chinese slippers, had just then fallen and were scattered on the ground Ah, how splendid it was these fascinating colors as if some noble lords had kicked off their slippers and departed barefoot How quiet it was like the traces of a dream.
Poem Notes:
朴= Japanese whitebark magnolia [image from Yamasaki Plant Photo Gallery]
