Current location:entertainment >>
VOX POPULI: ‘Dandara’ puns still entertain amid destroyed shops of Wajima
entertainment11332People have gathered around
Introduction“Dandara” is a wordplay pun based on the 17-syllable haiku format, with its seven-syllable part repr ...
“Dandara” is a wordplay pun based on the 17-syllable haiku format, with its seven-syllable part represented by two expressions or phrases that are homonymous but have completely different meanings when written.
Here is an example, penned by Umeko Morioka: “Aishiteru/ watashitoiteyo watashitoiteyo/ seikyuusho.”
The first five-syllable word ("aishiteru") translates as “I love you.”
The last five-syllable word ("seikyuusho") denotes a bill or an invoice.
Sandwiched between them are two seven-syllable homonyms ("watashitoiteyo"), the first of which translates as, “Please stay with me” and the second as, “Please hand it (to someone).”
The scene initially visualized by the reader of this “poem” is that of a man being seduced by an alluring woman.
But in the second half, a piece of paper is all the hapless man is left with.
This drastic turn of events is quite clever and funny.
Dandara is said to have a history spanning nearly 300 years, according to Isao Kimura, the author of “Fushigina Nihongo Dandara” (Dandara, intriguing Japanese).
In the past, Ishikawa Prefecture’s famed Wajima lacquerware craftsmen embraced dandara as their “workplace literature” and ensured the preservation of this tradition.
When I visited Wajima last month, I noticed posters bearing dandara pun poetry in front of many destroyed shops around the city.
They must have been posted for a while, put up for the enjoyment of tourists exploring the city on foot.
There was this piece by Nobuo Sakamoto: “Noto Jishin/yokishinakatta yokishinakatta/asaichi-de.” (The Noto Earthquake/ I did not anticipate it/ I bought a good item/ At the morning market.)
The central part of Wajima was jolted in 2007 by a powerful earthquake with an intensity of upper 6 on the Japanese seismic scale of 7, and eventually recovered from the damage.
Nobody could have imagined that another devastating earthquake would turn the city center into burnt-out ruins on the first day of 2024.
Eight weeks have elapsed since then.
Thirty percent of the city’s water service is finally back and flowing, according to the Ishikawa Prefecture edition of The Asahi Shimbun on Feb. 21.
I have nothing but the deepest respect for people from all over the nation who are supporting the post-disaster reconstruction work.
But the road ahead is still long and arduous.
To speed reconstruction by reducing the commuting time for workers between Kanazawa and Wajima, the prefectural government is planning to build accommodations for them on construction sites.
I cannot wait for the cities and towns of Ishikawa to regain their vibrance.
Here is Koji Takama’s dandara about the prefecture in early summer: “Kanko wa/ Noto, Kanazawa de/ nodokana sawa de/ Hototogisu.” (Sightseeing/ In Noto and Kanazawa/ At a peaceful marsh/ A Japanese cuckoo."
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 22
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Worldly Whispers news portal”。http://romania.highlanderdistrict.org/html-09f499989.html
Related articles
Burglar hurled stolen mobile phones at police from the top of 60ft high roof during nine
entertainmentA burglar hurled stolen mobile phones at police officers from the top of a roof during a nine-hour s ...
Read moreApple CEO says that he wants to increase investments in Vietnam
entertainmentHANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Apple CEO Tim Cook said Tuesday that he wants to further increase investment i ...
Read moreChina storms to quarters, thrilling matchups await
entertainmentChina romped to both women's and men's quarterfinals with straight-set victories on Wednesda ...
Read more
Popular articles
- Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
- Beyoncé is bringing her fans of color to country music. Will they be welcomed in?
- Israel must stop settler attacks on Palestinians, UN office says
- Terrifying moment helicopter stalls out and crashed into Mexican mechanic shop killing three
- Everybody may love Raymond, but Ray Romano loves Peter Boyle
- The world's BUSIEST airports revealed: Inside the 10 most packed aviation centers across the globe
Latest articles
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
Beijing confirms recovering tourism during New Year holiday
Complete sponge fossil dating back to 540 mln years found in central China's Hunan
Biden administration announces new partnership with 50 countries to stifle future pandemics
Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry
Jones carries Xinjiang past Beijing in CBA
LINKS
- US surgeons transplanted pig kidney into patient for the first time, hospital says
- New WIC rules include more money for fruits and veggies. They also expand food choices
- NASA satellite blasts off to survey oceans and atmosphere of warming Earth
- More than six in 10 US abortions in 2023 were done by medication
- This stinks. A noxious weed forces Arizona national monument's picnic area to close until May
- NZ Foreign Minister urges Israel not to begin Rafah ground offensive
- Western leaders in Kyiv, G7 pledge support for Ukraine on war anniversary
- Marriages in the US are back to pre
- Former world's oldest dog stripped of title
- No joke: UK comedian told to remove hot dog from subway poster over junk food ban