Haiku: "Aretí"

Hear, Soul of Japan

The blade in white is no gift

But virtue beheld

Purpose

This haiku was composed by Sen no Rikyū after asking for Advice from a tea ceremony. It concerns the white blade, Aretí, and its purpose in Ryūzaki Sanosuke's hands.

Document Structure

References

Hori Hidemasa suggested that the poem could be interpreted thusly:
Listen, Ryūzaki Sanosuke; Aretí is not a gift; but a test of virtue.
The meaning of "virtue" in this sense remains unknown.

Type

Text, Literary (Novel/Poetry)

Medium

Oral Tradition / Word of Mouth

Authoring Date

11/14/1559

Authors

• Sen no Rikyū