sitting under a *kotatsu
in suspended animation
I write, erase, and write again
my preferred winter seclusion
What I know about what makes *Gogyohka
Five rules of Gogyohka by Enta Kusakabe (1983):
- Gogyohka is a new form of short poem that is based on the
ancient Japanese Tanka and Kodai kayo - Gogyohka has five lines but exceptionally may have four or six
- Each line of Gogyohka consists of one phrase with a line-break
after each phrase or breath - Gogyohka has no restraint on the number of words or syllables
- The theme of Gogyohka is unrestricted
A kotatsu (Japanese: 炬燵 or こたつ)
Hey friends, here’s another word typical of the winter season: Kotatsu. It’s a
low, wooden table frame covered by a futon or a heavy blanket upon which a
table top sits. Underneath is a heat source, formerly a charcoal brazier but
now electric, often built into the table itself.
Kotatsu are used almost exclusively in Japan, although similar devices for the same purpose of heating are used elsewhere, e.g. the Spanish brasero or Iranian korsi.
~ Source
I’ve sat, with legs outstretched under a kotatsu for many winters until this year when
our years-old kotatsu broke. For this poem, I didn’t actually sit under a kotatsu to write,
but I’ve spent many evenings doing so that conveying the feeling to you was easy. Hope
you liked the gogyohka.
And then there’s this photo of a suspended leaf. It gifted me a spark when I sat to write this over the holidays.
I hope you’re having serene January days and that the winter-warmth poems are making you feel toasty. I appreciate your visit and comments and wish you miracles.
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Japanese poetry has so many fascinating forms. Thanks for the introduction
It does. So happy you found the info useful, dear Sadje. Stay warm.
Your post helped me recall a speech one of my Japanese students made on the Kotatsu years ago. I think my husband created a kotatsu by putting a space heater along side our futon. We can warm up by putting a blanket over our knees. It’s very soothing! And thank you for the new poetic form!
Your husband is tops for doing that. I love the Kotatsu. Glad you are familiar with it. Blessings. Thanks for the visit. Blessings.
It definitely helps with arthritis pain. ♥️
Enjoyed! You rocked the form! 😍
Aww. Thanks.
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It’s a Japanese poem. But words use in interested.
I visited the Wikipedia for kotatsu mens heater. Nice information.
Wikipedia. Wonderful
Glad you found this interesting, Raj. Stay warm.
You too.!
Beautiful poem, Selma! I like the form too. thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the encouragement, dear Cheryl. I bless you. Be warm. XoXo
This sounds like the perfect place to write, Selma! ❄️