Kyorai Mukai, part 11

WHR August 2014

SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE KEY-NOTE PUBLIC LECTURE

AT WORLD HAIKU FESTIVAL 2010 IN NAGASAKI

BY

SUSUMU TAKIGUCHI

CHAIRMAN, THE WORLD HAIKU CLUB

Kyorai Mukai (1651－1704):

PART ELEVEN

Fueki-ryuko is one of the most cardinal teachings of Basho along with Fuga-no-Makoto. Add Karumi and you have what might be termed as the Trinity of Shofu, i.e. the most important three principles of Basho’s Way. Fueki-ryuko is an abbreviation of senzai-fueki, ichiji-ryuko. Fueki literally means that which never changes, pointing to unchanging values or eternal truth. On the other hand, ryuko signifies that which changes according to the time, pointing to relative values at any given time. Basho preached that in haikai both of them were needed.

The same is true with all other genres of literary and artistic activities when one comes to think about it. In fact, it is a profound and universal concept which applies to each and every human activity, ranging from politics to various social activities of us humans. Thus it is an important concept indeed but it is also something which, looked at differently, should really be regarded as a truism. However, to achieve it is easier said than done. Whether it is kabuki, novel, film, pop song, manzai comedy, or even our daily conversation, the whole thing will become repetitive and utterly boring if it is merely copying the tradition or past examples. On the other hand, if we only follow the fashion of the time everything would become gimmicky, superficial and rootless.

Let us look at it in terms of haiku. Tradition in haiku is important till the end of time. However, if we misunderstand what tradition really means and either merely mimic the past or blindly cling to it we would end up in becoming a meaningless copycat. Such a conduct without new inspirations or one’s own original thoughts and sensibility, would only produce rotten past. Conversely, if we disregard tradition and indulge in new fads for their own sake or bring something different just to be different, or even swallow passively whatever changes prevalent at any given time, we have little hope of creating any haiku of merit. Moreover, whatever school of thought one belongs to, fueki and ryuko are both needed and, in fact, indispensable.

The reason why I have elaborated on fueki-ryuko is that no other person than our Kyorai did regard it as important among many of Basho’s teachings and played a huge part in the understanding and dissemination of it. There were subtle differences among Basho’s disciples in interpreting fueki-ryuko and for this very reason Kyorai’s very clear explanation turned out to be extremely useful. In addition to fueki-ryuko , there are many other important teachings of Basho which were clarified and passed on to succeeding generations including our own by Kyorai. If I were to talk about them it would take me more than a week. Therefore, instead, I am leaving for your perusal the handout which explains some of them.

(to be continued)