Here is what Professor Peipei Qiu, The Author of Bashô and the Dao says about kikôbun, a similar style of writing to haibun:
‛The Japanese literary travel journal (kikôbun) has been closely related to poetry. It characteristically weaves poems and the introductory narratives in a sequential order. The travel journals that existed before Bashô were often written in a first-person voice, with the traveler’s itinerary revolving around the classical poetic toponym (utamakura or meisho) and the narrative centering on poems composed about them.
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It had been a long, dusty arduous trail. My guide had told me of a cave that was hidden beneath the sea in the winter. I shook my head as I watched crustaceans bask in the warm sandy sun. My foot was caught in an old threaded trap left behind a century before, and I tumbled down a steep incline. I was left behind as the tenth victim of the sea or the so the report would say. When my head was free of its cobwebs, I beheld an brilliant sight – the cave.
Only the deep can sing praises of silken beauties. I could tickle the sea flowers that waved to me in a dance of purples and greens. I laughed as the big sea turtles paddled by the old forgotten wreck. I had fallen into a paradise that none could see. Was I a mermaid or a dead sea sprite left to haunt the sea foam forever? The gold in the broken open chests were nothing in comparison to the living treasure that swam about for my favor.
I learned to breathe water and sing the old sailor’s tales. I was part of that forgotten world. Each day I collected shells like cherished memories for another time. Then it happened with a flash. I opened my eyes to splashes of light and popping noises. All those about me clapped and shouted something. As I gathered my bearings, I held one gold piece and an old strand of pearls. No one noticed as I gathered a handful of seaweed and faced toward tomorrow and the place where my journey had begun.
Lost to the year
golden world beneath the sea
path finds me
This prompt of the Kikobun is the last for the 2014 year for Chevrefeuille’s Carpe Diem. Thanks to Hamish Gunn and the work he spent preparing this prompt.
Wishing each of you a fanciful New Year filled with treasures and memories!!!
Have a wonderful new year!
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Wonderful Kikobun Leslie. I have linked you to CDHK. Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and a great 2015.
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thanks so much not sure why it wouldn’t load. Blessings to you!!!
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I think it was the “http://” to link up there is no need to use “http://” in front, because the linking widget does that automatical.
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oh thanks…
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I tumbled with you, Leslie. I loved the ‘Olsen sailor’s tale. His treasures were simple.
HAPPY N EW YEAR !!
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glad you took the journey thus far – much more to see and enjoy in 2015
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Thank you Leslie for the beautiful story and Happy New Year Wish. Happy 2015 to you too.
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Best wishes and Happy New Year!
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Wonderful tumbling as a mermaid… the prose really pulled me along here into your land of enchantment… Have a wonderful New Year.
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Thanks Bjorn I like to splash somewhere between fantasy and reality.
“Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory…If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we’re partisans of liberty, then it’s our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!”
~ Tolkien
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Lovely meanderings! Happy New Year!
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lovely… what a journey… Happy New Year
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Oh that sounds like a fun journey with all the sea life. Happy New Year!!
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So beautiful: “Only the deep can sing praises of silken beauties.” It has the feel of a fairy tale 🙂
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Really intricate writing there, and it’s all in the details. So well-written, and an enjoyable read – look at that second paragraph, and third – pearls of writing!
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Thanks Hamish. I loved the challenge you gave us for the end of the year – like crossing uncharted paths. Wishing you a word filled 2015!
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What a lovely fairy tale that felt so real, I enjoyed travelling with you finding these treasures…brought me back to my youth an finding an old ship on a beach where we camped…my imagination had more glitter than the ship though. Lovely writing, Leslie…just superb:)
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Very enjoyable reading, Leslie. I wish I had been
able to catch you before you left. I’m staying. 🙂
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