雛の顔我是非なくも老にけり
hina no kao ware zehi naku mo oi ni keri


the faces of the dolls
i couldn't avoid
growing old


—Seifu
(Tr. David LaSpina)

_{(Print by Mizuno Toshikata)}

March 3rd is doll festival in Japan, also called Girl's Day. The main feature of this event is dolls of the emperor and empress and all the court set up and displayed on a nice stand. The dolls are quite nice—and usually very very expensive. Which wouldn't be a problem normally, except for the fact that every family with a girl pretty much has to buy a set due to social pressure. Thankfully grandparents often foot the bill.

Here Seifu is at the market and looking at the Girl's Day dolls. She is struck by how young and timeless the dolls' faces look, and in turn reminded of how she has grown old. We all secretly hope we will be exceptions to growing old; when it inevitably comes we are somewhat shocked and a little sad. Ah, I couldn't avoid it after all!

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Don't miss other great haiku in the Haiku of Japan series!

Recent Haiku

• 81 — Winter Game
• 82 — Hated Crow
• 83 — Passing Through
• 84 — Dried Salmon
• 85 — Little Demon Hunters
• 86 — Still Alive
• 87 — After Demon Purification
• 88 — Burning House
• 89 — Cold Night
• 90 — Midnight Noises
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• 92 — Paper, Rock, Scissors
• 93 — Straight Hole
• 94 — Dreams of Cherry Blossoms

Collections

• Collection 1 :: Haiku 1–10
• Collection 2 :: Haiku 11–20
• Collection 3 :: Haiku 21-30
• Collection 4 :: Haiku 31-40
• Collection 5 :: Haiku 41-50
• Collection 6 :: Haiku 51-60
• Collection 7 :: Haiku 61–70
• Collection 8 :: Haiku 71–80

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I post one photo everyday, as well as a haiku and as time allows, videos, more Japanese history, and so on. Let me know if there is anything about Japan you would like to know more about or would like to see.

Who is David?
	David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time.