Introduction

In the past, when Japanese people faced death, they left behind so-called ``death songs.'' For example, those of Saigyo and Toyotomi Hideyoshi are probably widely known.

“Wish is the time of the mochizuki when spring dies under the flowers” (Saigyou)
“Namba, where dew and falling dew and wrinkles disappear, is just a dream.” (Toyotomi Hideyoshi)

Even if they weren't great people like them, I think there were quite a few Japanese people of just two generations before us who left behind some sort of ``death.''
Turn around to modern times. No one wants to compose death poems and leave them for posterity...This may be because the culture of composing poems has become obsolete, but the fundamental reason why Japanese people no longer compose death poems is that This means that we have ``lost our sense of life and death.'' And although many people may not realize it, losing your perspective on life and death means that you have ``lost your perspective on life.''

In the past, Japanese people faced metaphysical questions such as ``What happens when we die?'' and ``What are we living for?'' and were given answers to these questions. These were Buddhism, Shinto, Bushido, and other teachings that had been passed down continuously, but in the process of modern times and the post-war period, a major change in ``values'' took place, and Japan's Traditional ideas and philosophies have been almost completely discarded.
So what have replaced Japan's ancient "values"? It would be understandable if it were Western teachings, such as ``Christianity,'' but in reality, this was ``money worship.''
``People who have money and assets have a good life.'' This is the only standard of value that Japanese people believe at the moment.

However, this "money worship" is currently in a very bad situation. That is the 30-year slump in the Japanese economy. Money worship gives you a sense of happiness when you believe that your money will continue to grow in the future.In other words, there is no problem when the economy is growing, but if this does not happen, life itself becomes a failure. In other words, for money worshipers, a world in which ``money does not increase'' or ``money decreases'' is, to put it in medieval terms, ``the world of the end of the law.''

Now, we shouldn't just stir up such anxiety. Actually, I feel that the tide is turning recently. I think more and more people are abandoning their evil money-based beliefs and searching for ``new values.''
(I think the reason why the number of people who say they want to compose waka is increasing is because of this kind of awareness.)

These "new values" are likely to be diverse. However, I believe that it is fundamentally derived from ancient Japanese things such as nature and Shinto and Buddhism. And if you are a person who aspires to such traditional Japanese values, you will naturally want to compose a poem about your death.

I would like to help such people. I believe that this is the responsibility of a person who is both a poet and a monk, which is relatively rare in modern times.
Please join us in reciting a poem that condenses your life and will be remembered for future generations!

Main points

"Write a death poem based on traditional lyrics and values"

The ``death song'' that I would like to help you compose is a ``death song'' that is connected to ancient Japanese traditional lyrics and values.
So what exactly are the words and values of this tradition?

First of all, when it comes to ``lyrics,'' it means ``composing in the style of waka.'' Please take a look at some of the representative death songs that remain today. You will notice that most of them are in the ``Waka'' style. This is because a death poem is an act of overlooking and transcending life and death, and this could only be achieved through extraordinary lyrics that transcend the ordinary, that is, ``waka''.

Regarding ``values,'' participants will appreciate and gain a sense of ``representative death poems'' that have been composed. In fact, there are certain ``forms'' of waka-style death poems. I would like to explain these important points in an easy-to-understand manner so that you can easily understand them.

→“A death song passed down from generation to generation”

``I've never written a song, let alone a Japanese poem''? ! it's okay. If you have lived in Japan, you have naturally acquired Japanese traditions (words and values), whether you learn them or not. Above all, I will carefully refine the poems you compose.

Let's complete a poem as ``your death song,'' which is based on tradition and will not be shamed by future generations.

Course content

Basically, the instructor (Kaso Engaku) will provide one-on-one guidance. Lectures and conversations will be held online (ZOOM).

Part 1: “Know and learn about the poems of death through lectures.”

・Appreciate and explain typical death songs, and learn the ``forms'' of traditional song recitation.
・It is assumed that one lecture will be held for approximately 60 minutes.

Part 2: “Develop a plan”

・Through conversation, we will formulate the outline of the song while combining your own thoughts and traditional values.
・It is assumed that one conversation will last approximately 60 minutes.

Part 3: ``Coming songs and elaborating them.''

・We will compose your death in the form of a waka poem.
・I will edit it (I assume that I will edit it once or twice)

cost

50,000 yen (tax included)
*If you have any requests, such as increasing the number of lectures, conversations, or revisions, wanting them to be held face-to-face, or writing the completed song on colored paper, please contact us separately.
*Bank transfer only

Teacher

Poet monk Engaku Uchida (Shinshu monk)
*Reiwa Kadokoro guest (Click here for details),draft poem(Utajuku Poetry Society), Kana calligraphy works (Kana graphics)

Example of “death song”

• A strong spring breeze blows, and the noble flowers we know fall away on their own.
• The peak of Mt. Washi can now be seen as the mist-covered shelves draw back.
• The flowers have run out and the colors have faded. It's spring, but the moon in my heart is gone.
• As long as life is limited, I see the empty flowers as my own.
• My journey ends in winter, crossing a deserted road.
• I pray for happiness through the rainbow bridge spanning the clouds of the sky.
• Mitsurugi's unseen dream that has been haunting him for 50 years
• A fish also has a heart, and I'm walking down the road in love with my old hometown.
• The sky is fragrant with greenery, and the sky is full of flowers. Follow your heart as you travel.
• Now I'm thinking of the flowers of Miyamabe, just a keepsake hidden away from people's knowledge.

Inquiries and applications