October 31, 2025

Introducing Haiku by Everyday People #06

As we reach the final chapter of Mr. Hiromichi Yokoyama’s haiku series, this concluding installment reflects on the passing of time, the quiet depth of human thought, and the gentle rhythm of nature surrounding Osaka Castle. Through each verse, Mr. Yokoyama reminds us how ordinary sights and moments can hold profound insight and emotion. We invite you to take a moment, breathe slowly, and let these haiku speak to your heart.

Castle Hike (Haiku) Selection 16

四百年経て夏の陣世にありて
Four hundred years have passed
Since the end of the Osaka Summer Campaign
Yet, campaigns in the world

四百/年	経て/夏/の/陣	世/に/ありて
Yonhyaku/Nen	Hete/Natsu/No/Jin	Yo/Ni/Arite
400/Years	Have passed/Summer/Of/Campaign	World/In/Exists

Osaka Castle was constructed in 1,580 by the hegemon Toyotomi Hideyoshi. After he died in 1588, hegemony passed to Tokugawa Ieyasu, who established the capital at Edo (Now Tokyo) and was granted the title of Shogun by the emperor. Toyotomi Hideyori, son of Hideyoshi, was still an infant in those days, but insisted on his legitimacy as a Shogun after growing up, and the war broke out between them.
It was the Osaka winter campaign in 1,614 and the summer campaign in 1615.
Wars had easily ended with the victory of Ieyasu. However, those were severe battles, and many civilians were killed or injured. Yet today, civilians are always victims in wars between giant nations.

Castle Hike (Haiku) Selection 17

夏山のごとき朝焼け街にあり
Looking up at the sky
Morning glory seen at a high mountain
Found in the city

夏山/の	ごとき/朝焼け	街/に/あり
Natsuyama/No	Gotoki/Asayake	Machi/Ni/Ari
Summer mountain/Of	Like/Morning Glory	City/At/Exists

The picture was taken from the 6th-floor apartment early in the morning. Nature is giving us such beautiful scenery without charging us, while most of us are always missing it.
Left is the moon taken from the ground of the same apartment. There are many resources for making Haiku, but my poor talent can’t keep up.

Castle Hike (Haiku) Selection 18

旅立ちの遅れし鷺は何処へや
Grey heron
Delayed departure
Where flying

旅立ち/の	遅れ/し/鷺/は	何処/へや
Tabidachi/No	Okure/Shi/Sagi/Wa	Izuko/Heya
Departure/of	Delay/(Past)/Grey heron/Is	Where/Going

The grey heron is known as a migratory bird, but in western Japan, including Osaka, some of them reside year-round. However, as a Kigo (Seasonal word), it is usually used to indicate summer. Besides Grey Heron, these birds, which are included in Kigo, are popularly seen in the area of Osaka Castle.

Closing Message

This marks the conclusion of Mr. Hiromichi Yokoyama’s Haiku by Everyday People series. Across six chapters, his poems have captured the essence of daily life, transforming familiar sights into reflections of the human spirit.
May these verses continue to inspire readers to observe their surroundings with calm attention and quiet gratitude.
Thank you for following this journey of words and seasons.
Until next time, stay well and keep finding beauty in the everyday.