POPULAR PROVERBS

悪妻は百年の不作。 (Akusai wa hyaku-nen no fusaku) Literally: A bad wife spells a hundred

years of bad harvest.

起死回生 (kishi kaisei) Literally: Wake from death and return to life

猿も木から落ちる。 (Saru mo ki kara ochiru) Literally: Even monkeys fall from trees.

POPULAR HAIKU

Blowing from the west I kill an ant

Fallen leaves gather and realize my three children
In the east. have been watching.
- Yosa Buson - Kato Shuson

JAPANESE FOLK SONG: Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,

The fields, mountain and villages,
As far as can be seen,
Are covered in a pink haze or clouds
Shining beautifully under morning light,
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, in full bloom

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,

The sky in March
As far as can be seen,
Is covered in a pink haze or clouds
With the flowers’ beauty coming out.
Let us go to see them.