Welcome to Poem of the Day – Lighting one candle by Yosa Buson.
Yosa Buson (1716–1784), a renowned Japanese poet and painter, was one of the leading figures in the development of the haiku genre during the Edo period. His works are characterized by a deep appreciation of nature, the transient beauty of the world, and the emotions that emerge from ordinary moments. Among his many works, the haiku “Lighting one candle” stands out as an example of his delicate yet profound approach to poetic expression. This essay will explore the themes, imagery, and emotional resonance of this haiku, providing a detailed analysis of its significance.
Lighting one candle Poem
Lighting one candle
with another candle—
spring evening.
Lighting one candle Poem Explanation
The imagery in this haiku is powerful in its simplicity. The image of a candle being lit in the dark of night evokes a sense of warmth, light, and hope amidst the vastness of darkness. The candle’s flickering flame becomes a symbol of human resilience and the pursuit of understanding, even in times of uncertainty. The act of lighting a candle, in this context, is not just a practical one, but also a metaphor for enlightenment, both intellectual and spiritual.
The setting of autumn is particularly significant. In Japanese culture, autumn often symbolizes change, the passage of time, and the impermanence of life. The darkness of the autumn night amplifies this sense of transience. Autumn, traditionally a time of reflection, reminds us of the fleeting nature of all things. The dark night, in contrast to the warmth of the candlelight, mirrors the duality of life—light and dark, life and death, presence and absence.
Buson’s choice of autumn night suggests a moment of quiet solitude, where the individual is left alone to face the vast, unyielding silence of the world. It is in this stillness that the act of lighting a candle becomes a profound gesture—one that seeks to make sense of the darkness, both literal and metaphorical.
The Question: “What are you seeking?”
The final line of the haiku, “What are you seeking?”, introduces a reflective and somewhat introspective element. The question invites the reader to consider the deeper purpose of the act of lighting the candle. Is it simply to dispel the darkness, or does it symbolize a deeper longing? This question could be interpreted as Buson addressing the human condition—our constant search for meaning, for purpose, for understanding in an often indifferent world.
The question is open-ended, allowing for multiple interpretations. It may be a question to the person lighting the candle—asking them to reflect on their own motivations. Alternatively, it could be a broader question directed at humanity itself, exploring our existential search for truth or spiritual enlightenment. By leaving the question unanswered, Buson allows the reader to project their own thoughts and feelings onto the poem, making the haiku not just a reflection of one moment in time, but an invitation to explore the depths of human experience.
Emotional Resonance
The emotional tone of the haiku is one of quiet contemplation. There is no grand drama or flourish in the poem—rather, it is a moment captured in its most intimate form. The image of the candle in the dark night evokes a sense of peace, yet also a subtle melancholy. The fleeting nature of the candle’s flame mirrors the transient beauty of life, and the question of what is being sought resonates with the reader’s own quest for meaning in the midst of life’s inevitable impermanence.
At the same time, there is a sense of hope and comfort in the image of the candle. Despite the surrounding darkness, the act of lighting the candle represents the possibility of illumination—whether through knowledge, connection, or spiritual insight. This juxtaposition of light and dark, presence and absence, is central to the emotional impact of the haiku.
Conclusion
In “Lighting One Candle,” Yosa Buson masterfully captures a fleeting moment in time, using the simple act of lighting a candle to explore profound themes of light, darkness, and the human search for meaning. Through evocative imagery and an open-ended question, the haiku invites the reader to reflect on their own emotional and spiritual journey. It is a testament to Buson’s ability to find depth in the ordinary, transforming a simple action into a meditation on life, impermanence, and the quiet search for truth. As with many of Buson’s poems, this haiku reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is the possibility of illumination—both from without and from within.
