歳時記の言葉vol.9 "草笛" / The seasonal words in Japanese Haiku vol.9 "kusabue"

"草笛"は英語で"reed"を指し、夏を表す季語です。

上手な奏者は、たいていの草や木の葉を草笛として使えますが、葦、大麦、椿の葉が日本では好まれます。彼らは口に葉を押し当てて、各々好きな曲を演奏します。たいてい甲高く響くその音色は、私たちに郷愁を感じさせるものです。今でも多くの熟達した奏者がいますが、多くはお年寄りです。年々奏者は数を減らしており、近い将来には季語の"草笛"だけが残ることになるかも知れません。

The seasonal word "kusabue" refers to "reed" in English, and denotes summer.

It seems that clever players can use most grass or tree leaves as a "kusabue", but they prefer to use a leaf of reed, barley, and camellia in Japan. They hold such a leaf to their mouth, and play pieces each as they like. It always sounds quite high-pitched, and makes us feel something like nostalgia. There are skilled players even now, but a majority of them are old. With advancing years, players are going to dwindle in numbers. So, in the near future, only the seasonal word "kusabue" might be left.