A sheet full of a variety of happiness,
Years past of hard work were not in vain.
Growing old, accept honor from your children and grandchildren,
Understand: to harvest one must till.
Eyefuls of glitz, dazzle, and shine:
Children and grandchildren dressed in bright embroidery, together for feasting.
A pair of stars enjoy such consolation,
On earth, such wild heavenly bliss.
New section: Pongyiji
After working in Taiwan for a while, the Taiwanese government sent him to Japan to make a commerce treaty. At that time, Japan was still under American authorities. Typically, when you win a war, you're the boss and the losers are the peons. But these Americans were rude and treated the Taiwanese like the Japanese, even though China was an Allied power. My boss had a hard time forging a treaty and their conferences go nowhere. They cancelled meetings for a month. There's a lot of time, there's nothing to do but to tour Japan while they waited. Until the Korean war started, then the US changed their attitude towards Taiwan, knowing they needed their cooperation. Then the treaty progressed. It benefited Taiwan to trade with Japan as they were the majority trading country.
This visit to Japan, he went to places he had gone during his college days, many drastically changed by WWII.
Shanggun Fuji Imperial Resort
This resort used to be for the royal family only.
Now here comes new masters who build closing doors.
A huge building decorated everywhere with shiny silks.
Painted screens and jewels on display.
Yellow-clothes* dancing, even the flower smile.
Waitresses** in delicate sleeves, pouring drinks, wear gleaming jade.
Unlike the revenging of the Wus, there remains regret,
And no partridges will fly in this estate.
*the occupying US wore yellow uniforms
**the waitstaff were all Japanese women
Now a hotel for ordinary citizens.
My mom told me about the famous story of the Wu and Yue families. They feuded and Wu won, and Yue swore revenge. Yue knew that it took a long time to fight back and the weaknesses of human nature: at first, one might be zealous, but as time goes on, one loses motivation. In order so he wouldn't forget: everyday he slept on fireplace logs, ate animals gall bladders, and hired a person to stand the doorway of his house and remind him about his oath upon every entrance and exit. Eventually, he did revenge his family and successfully killed off the Wus.
Many poets have written about this vendetta. One poem says that after all the activity and liveliness of the palaces during the Wu-Yue vendetta, now only partridges (Francolinus chinensis) fly there.
Sunday, July 07, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Single
Mid Autumn Festival Eve
Lift your head to look at the moon*
Just at mid-autumn, the perfect festival.
One year passes easily.
Red leaves, western wind,
Yellow chrysanthemum in full bloom.
This quiet place is lonesome,
Baseline, adding a little feeling of regret.
Deep into the night the dew grows heavy.
Cool pillow and mat make it hard to fall asleep.
Thoughts go on and on, regrets go on and on.**
When people grow old, they lose whatever desires.
Old country, hard to go back,
The pretty young foreigner has already lived at the end of the earth a long time.
*a direct quote from a poem by one of the most famous poets Li Bai
**another famous poem says: Someone went up the mountain, can't see the future or the past. Thinking about the heavens and earth goes on and on. One person stands, shedding tears.
Oranbi
Our country's fortress called Oranbi.
Outstretched to the southern ocean.
Tall lighthouse, a single spire strategically placed.
Ten-thousand nautical miles of green waves; one red light.
At the most southern point of Taiwan is Oranbi, where there is the biggest lighthouse in southeast Asia. It was constructed in 1882 and later the Japanese rebuilt it.
*Its light could shine for 20 miles.
Note: the 'bi' in Oranbi means nose.
Lift your head to look at the moon*
Just at mid-autumn, the perfect festival.
One year passes easily.
Red leaves, western wind,
Yellow chrysanthemum in full bloom.
This quiet place is lonesome,
Baseline, adding a little feeling of regret.
Deep into the night the dew grows heavy.
Cool pillow and mat make it hard to fall asleep.
Thoughts go on and on, regrets go on and on.**
When people grow old, they lose whatever desires.
Old country, hard to go back,
The pretty young foreigner has already lived at the end of the earth a long time.
*a direct quote from a poem by one of the most famous poets Li Bai
**another famous poem says: Someone went up the mountain, can't see the future or the past. Thinking about the heavens and earth goes on and on. One person stands, shedding tears.
Oranbi
Our country's fortress called Oranbi.
Outstretched to the southern ocean.
Tall lighthouse, a single spire strategically placed.
Ten-thousand nautical miles of green waves; one red light.
At the most southern point of Taiwan is Oranbi, where there is the biggest lighthouse in southeast Asia. It was constructed in 1882 and later the Japanese rebuilt it.
*Its light could shine for 20 miles.
Note: the 'bi' in Oranbi means nose.
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Aforementioned
Sentiments on autumn wind and rain
Misting rain dampens steps, constant drip drop,
One withered lily petal, so sick and worn.
Fall ends, winter comes, spring will return,
One's life grows old, and leaves no trace.
Painted fan without words
Red trees, smoke in the air, impression of tranquility.
Lake and mountains, lovely scene, contrasts the charred remains.
Why is there no inscription nor signature?
It must mean no one took credit for the accomplishment.
The painting was very outstanding but because there was no signature, I assumed the artist purposely wanted to remain anonymous.
Using the previous poem to memorialize Cen Yi
Heavily made-up or lightly touched, done by exquisite hand.
Tall trees and mountain peaks, clear water bay.
Exerting utmost effort, without a single word.
Still remains a half part of good lake and mountains.
Taiwan's first governor, Cen Yi, oversaw the police and the executive branch of the government. He made many improvements in Taiwan's education and infrastructure to modernize the island. When the Nationalist army required assistance on the mainland, the police were moved there to help. The sentiments fomented to culminate in February 28 event occurred during this time and the Governor Cen was blamed for the conflict and didn't make any defense or explanation; and subsequently was dismissed from office.
Misting rain dampens steps, constant drip drop,
One withered lily petal, so sick and worn.
Fall ends, winter comes, spring will return,
One's life grows old, and leaves no trace.
Painted fan without words
Red trees, smoke in the air, impression of tranquility.
Lake and mountains, lovely scene, contrasts the charred remains.
Why is there no inscription nor signature?
It must mean no one took credit for the accomplishment.
The painting was very outstanding but because there was no signature, I assumed the artist purposely wanted to remain anonymous.
Using the previous poem to memorialize Cen Yi
Heavily made-up or lightly touched, done by exquisite hand.
Tall trees and mountain peaks, clear water bay.
Exerting utmost effort, without a single word.
Still remains a half part of good lake and mountains.
Taiwan's first governor, Cen Yi, oversaw the police and the executive branch of the government. He made many improvements in Taiwan's education and infrastructure to modernize the island. When the Nationalist army required assistance on the mainland, the police were moved there to help. The sentiments fomented to culminate in February 28 event occurred during this time and the Governor Cen was blamed for the conflict and didn't make any defense or explanation; and subsequently was dismissed from office.
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