Songs of a Cowherd/A Rakuyaki Bowl

by Itō Sachio

 1906 

A Rakuyaki Bowl^[1]

(January 20, at the house of Mr. Fumoto Oka)

A foolish fellow in this world
Gazes on a bowl of rakuyaki
And all by himself
Sheds tears of joy.

To speak so fondly
Of a rakuyaki bowl
In this day and age
Is, indeed, like inviting the blind
To come to see a picture.

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1. A famous pottery ware of Kyoto which was originated by Jokei Sasaki (d. 1609), son of a naturalized Korean. It is especially prized by tea-masters.