Image set / Reading books and other things

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Title: Reading books and other things
Creator: Fukuda, Haritsu, 1865-1944
Date Created and/or Issued: 1933
Publication Information: Japan
Contributing Institution: UC Merced, Library and Special Collections
Collection: Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture collection
Rights Information: Copyrighted
Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Rights Holder and Contact: Fukuda, Haritsu, 1865-1944, Japanese
Description: Annotations/Markings: Signed "古道人" (Kodōjin) at lower right corner of first page and at the end of each page inscribed with a poetic inscription (pages 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14). Each inscribed page also has three seals, one preceding the inscription and two following the signature. Inscriptions are translated as follows: "(Title page, p. 1) Reading books and other things / (Page 2) In this place, where the ancient Way shines forth in mystery,/ the True Man brings past karma to an end. / Beside the gully, many whitened rocks; / among bamboo appears the crystal stream. / I let down my hair and whistle out long each day, / wander free and easy, enjoiying nature alone. / From time to time the bright moon comes, / its reflection appearing right in my cup of wine. // (Page 4) In vain they say, "Take joy in these days!" / -- Living in seclusion, I write poems on ancient feelings. / Here in the mountains I naturally preserve the Way; / beneath forest trees I now have lodged my life. / The rain has passed, the plums put forth first blossoms; / with mist to clothe them, willow-buds already formed. / I go out the gate -- Spring is vague and misty; / painting its colors, facing men in peace. // (Page 6) Alone, I've become a scholar of noble reclusion, / starting to sense how venerable is this life in plain clothes./ Should you suddenly come to believe in my Way, / please come visite, and we'll share our tranquil words. / It's not that the dusty realm is utterly without pleasures, / but it lacks any ground to plant the Fragrant Root. / Year after year I send out these "elegant orchids'" / hoping the subtle perfume may be preserved. // (Page 8) Years ago, I was first to "clap my hands;" ["Clap my hands": To greet guests.] / when guests arrived, it brought joy to my face! / But this place is quite remote, secluded, / only the white clouds return to the worldly sphere. / And so I became a "scholar beneath the woods," / trance-like, alone viewing mountains... / All I do is smile and never answer: / heaven and earth, together with my heart, serene. // (Page 10) For long I harbored "white cloud" ambition; / now at last I've built my hut beneath the pines! / I can write poems about "percing" and "lingering," / as I just take pleasure here in lute and books. / Nor do I resent the lack of "sharers of the tune:" / in fact I've always lived alone with the Way. / Now I just follow what I want to do: / what further need to ask about blame or praise? // (Page 12) People all say I must be getting old, / but maybe I've been cultivating this stupidity! / I read books, but don't know how to interpret them; / in seeking the Way, who can steer me wrong? / From ancient times, truly world-class scholars / have been followers of the Way of Plain Clothes. / Trance-like, alone I nurture my intentions; / Visitors, please note this "region of streams and rocks." (Page 14) Colophon: I have named myself for poetry, calligraphy and painting, my "Three Clumsinesses!" This album is a perfect example. The viewer would do well to discern wherein my subtle meaning lies, without questioning the clumsiness." (Translated by Stephen Addiss.)
Medium: Ink on paper
Scope/Content: Reproduced in Stephen Addiss, Old Taoist: The Life, Art and Poetry of Kodojin (1865-1944) (NY: Columbia University Press, 2000).
Acquisition: Addiss-Seo Nanga Collection. On long-term loan to the Lee Institute
Funding: Digitization funded by an Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Leadership Grant (LG 30-02-0260-02) awarded to the University of California, Merced Library.
Type: image
Format: 1 v. (14 leaves) , 30 x 39 cm.
Form/Genre: calligraphy
poetry
Showa
Nanga
books
Identifier: ark:/13030/hb3c6008xv
ucm_li_AS200
Language: Japanese
jpn
Subject: landscapes (representations)
mountains

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