Art and Haiku for a gloomy day

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Art is the illusion of spontaneity - Japanese proverb.

The sky is overcast and it's snowing outside. Without sunshine it feels a little tristful today so I am brightening things up by admiring some vividly colourful pictures.


Japanese woodblock prints are one of my favourite forms of art. The intricate detail and inherent beauty of the pieces always take me away from reality into a fantastical other world.

My blog posts seem to keep back to Asian themes lately. At University I specialised in Asian history, and have always been in love with Asia so it's no surprise really.

All Haiku by Basho.

Temple bells die out.

The fragrant blossoms remain.

A perfect evening! -Basho

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Yes, spring has come

This morning a nameless hill

Is shrouded in mist. -Basho

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The sea darkening . . .
oh voices of the
wild ducks
Crying, whirling, white - Basho

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"If we study Japanese art, we see a man who is undoubtedly wise, philosophic and intelligent, who spends his time doing what?... He studies a single blade of grass." -Vincent van Gogh
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