The Japanese word for spring, “haru,” has a really light and cheerful ring to it. But what if the word were “baru” and not “haru”? The difference is almost negligible, but the image of the season we get may differ greatly between the two. I once came across a Japanese linguistic study claiming that any word containing a syllable with the “dakuten” diacritic, or “voice mark,” gives an impression of being “heavy.” The study also posited that the more syllables a noun contains, the “stronger” it sounds. Perhaps that explains why “haru” sounds light and airy--the opposite of heavy and strong. In Korean, the word for spring is pronounced “pom." This, too, gives a lighthearted and soft impression. As for the English “spring,” it sounds--well, bouncy. No surprise: Synonyms of “spring” include “leap” and “jump.” One associates these words with a feeling of anticipation for the start of something new. In reality, however, spring as a season is obviously not all mild and pleasant. On the contrary, the weather can be outright rough and nasty, with cold rains and gusty winds. “March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb” is a famous British saying. In Japan, the “higan” equinoctial week ends on March 23. According to weather forecasts, the mild winter we had this year was supposed to be followed by an early arrival of spring. But we still need warm jackets. It is as if spring is now being sullen and mean, having taken offense at being told off, “You’re too early.” A haiku by Fusei Tomiyasu (1885-1979) goes to the effect, “Time has passed/ For all I know/ higan is already over.” Gazing up at cherry blossom buds that don’t seem to be opening any time soon, I murmur to myself: Come quickly, mild and warm spring. --The Asahi Shimbun, March 23 * * *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. |
What to expect in New York's special congressional electionThese are the countries where TikTok is already bannedCyndi Lauper's rapper son Dex, 26, flashes peace sign as he arrives at NYC court handWhat to expect in New York's special congressional electionNearly 500 movies compete at Silk Road film festivalHoroscope today: Daily guide to what the stars have in store for YOUWhat to expect in New York's special congressional electionAndrew Tate's trial on charges of rape and human trafficking can start, a Romanian court rulesFive surprise teams aim to finish stunning seasons by securing Champions League spotSydney church stabbing: Muslim groups claim double standards in police handling of stabbings