Before the white chrysanthemum
the scissors hesitate
a moment.
~Buson
Translated by Robert Hass
The chrysanthemum is the symbol of the Imperial family, and its 16-petal design serves as the imperial crest.
The gorintō (五輪塔 lit. five ring tower) is a pagoda found almost only in Japan and believed to have been first adopted by the Shingon and Tendai sects during the mid Heian period. It is used as a tomb marker or as a cenotaph, and is therefore a common sight in Buddhist temples and cemeteries. It is also called gorinsotōba (五輪卒塔婆) ("five-ringed stupa") or goringedatsu (五輪解脱), where the term sotoba is a transliteration of the Sanskrit word stupa.[12]
In all its variations, the gorintō is made of five blocks (although that number can sometimes be difficult to detect), each having one of the five shapes which symbolize of the Five Elements believed to be the basic building blocks of reality: earth (cube), water (sphere), fire (pyramid), air (crescent), and ether, energy, or void (lotus).[11] The last two rings (air and ether) are visually and conceptually united into a single subgroup.
The square base represents earth
The hemispherical dome/vase represents water
The conical spire represents fire
The upper lotus parasol and the crescent moon represent air
The sun and the dissolving point represent the element of space
If you want more: Gorinto: a uniquely Japanese five element stupa (from Elemental Japan website)
The word "Kizuki" can mean the act of "noticing," "realizing," or "becoming aware of" something (気付き) in Japanese.
Use the questions below to reflect on the themes from Pom Poko. You can write your answers in a journal, discuss them in a group, or use them as prompts for creative projects.
