Tekstit

Kanro - Cold Dew: Cold dews drops on wild grasses

Kuva
October - the time of KANRO, which means cold dew: according to the Japanese, it is the time when wild geese return, chrysanthemums bloom and crickets chirp around the door. Ie, it is the time of approaching transition to winter and it is getting colder outside. Like with the geese returning in Japan, we turn the focus to inwards: both physically time spent more at home and in-house, and spiritually focusing on reflecting, reading and observing. Candles are lit and late harvest from pumpkins and roots are gathered and put to soups to boil. Despite the covid, the October has been full of activity: at work, seems everybody has awaken that this is the time to finalise projects before the year end arrives; at leisure time, we have all been out to admire the leaves turning to different colours and enjoying the last bits of this years summer time. The smell of October is still about the leaves on the ground and humidity in the air. Last Wednesday I had decided to change scenery for a day: a ...

Shobun - The middle of Autumn

Kuva
 Shobun - middle of Autumn According to the Japanese #sekki, Shobun is the season at the middle of Autumn and lasts until 8th of October. Wikipedia tells that this time people celebrate the good weather and autumn harvest by enjoying outdoor activites - and eating of course the seasonal food... So summer is definitely over, even by the Japanese terms. Here in Helsinki, the weather is still surprisingly warm and we indeed could enjoy mostly sunny days in September. It felt almost like someone wanted to compensate for the other terrible things year #2020 has brought and encouraging to spend time in the nature. Special thing for me: I started sailing. Love it. I have played the part of a "weight" so far in the sailing boats (and fullfilled that role quite well). Now I took an intensive beginners course on sailing at the end of August and got to learn some very fundamentals of ropes, knots, turning and The Wind. Never had I realised that sailing is all about the wind: everything ...

La vie a la Sekki - living 24 seasons

Kuva
"Sekki" is a Japanese concept and describes the annual cycle divided to 24 different seasons, all with their particularities and beauty.  I live in the Northern Hemisphere in Finland and here we often live for summer only. The autumn, winter and spring are all preparation for the summer to come, like we were flowers blooming only once per year. A dear friend of mine, Kirsi, pointed this out to me and said how strange it is. Why we would not make each moment to matter and enjoy whatever particularity it brings? Could this be done? I have also a good 47 years of experience of waiting for summers? Will it be tiring to try to enjoy all seasons like it? And, foremost, will there really be anything to enjoy in a dark rainy time in Helsinki.. Let the experience begin.. #laviedesekki #sekki24