And here is your daily almanac for Thursday, the twenty-second of February 2024.

Today in Japan is affectionately known as Cat Day (猫の日), celebrated due to the date (2/22) mirroring the sound cats make ("nya nya nya" in Japanese). There are a lot of pun days like this in Japan. This one is a day where cat lovers across the nation show extra appreciation for their feline friends, reflecting the country's deep affection for cats.

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On this day in history, FDR ordered General Douglas MacArthur to depart from the Philippines during World War II. This order led to MacArthur's famous vow, "I shall return," a promise he fulfilled over two years later, liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation. MacArthur is generally beloved in Japan these days for his role in rebuilding the country and almost everyone knows this line.

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Today is the birth of Takahama Kyoshi, born in 1874. Kyoshi was a pivotal figure in the world of Japanese literature, renowned for his contributions to haiku poetry. As one of the leading disciples of Masaoka Shiki, Kyoshi played a significant role in the development and popularization of the haiku form, emphasizing the importance of nature and seasonal imagery in his works. He was also the editor of Hototogisu, a magazine that became a significant platform for haiku poets.

He is not without controversy. He ruled the haiku world with an iron fist and suppressed anyone writing haiku he didn't approve of, including followers of a more free form haiku style. In one unfortunate incident, this caused many of that group to be sent to prison during the war.

Despite this ruthless side, his haiku themselves often expressed a much more peaceful worldview. They reflect a deep connection to the natural world, a testament to his belief in the beauty and significance of the changing seasons. His work continues to inspire and influence haiku poets today, embodying the essence of traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Today's rokuyō, Senbu (先勝), suggests a day where the afternoon is auspicious and where it is better to act calmly and avoid urgent things, making it a fitting time to celebrate the beauty of poetry and nature, as well as to remember historical acts of courage. (Read more about the rokuyō here)

On the old calendar, today would have been the thirteenth day of the first month. We are in the midst of Usui (雨水), the arrival of rainwater, signifying the awakening of the earth, and the microseason Tsuchi no shō uruoi okoru (土脉潤起), when the earth's veins start to moisten. This time symbolizes the beginning of the transition from winter to spring, a period that many haiku poets often celebrate in their poems.

^{Spring Rain at Sakurada Gate by Kawase Hasui}

In the spirit of Usui (雨水) and the awakening earth, a haiku from Ransetsu captures the essence of this period beautifully:

梅一輪いちりんほどの暖かさ
ume ichirin ichirin hodo no atatakasa

one plum blossom
means one step closer
to warmth
—Ransetsu

^{Photo Mine}

Around this time of year, the plum (or ume) blossoms are full in most places in the country. They are lovely flowers, and are thought to be heralds of warmer weather. This haiku serves as a delicate reminder of the incremental warmth and revival that each plum blossom heralds. Ransetsu's words resonate with the anticipation of spring's approach, mirroring our own yearning for the gentler days ahead.

Be well, do good work, and stay in touch.

❦

David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku. He blogs here and at laspina.org. Write him on Twitter or Mastodon.