How have I lived on in the Mountains - Tanka by Ryokan

No matter whether we maneuvered ourselves into circumstances or not, do you sometimes wonder, too, how you have lived on in spite of- and against all odds of circumstance? Well, remember to take it as proof that ‘as long as there is life, there is hope’ ! - tobu tori mo kayowanu yama no oku ni sae sumeba sumaruru mononizo arikeru - - in-midst the mountains where even winged birds rarely nestle how have I lived on since I came here - - Tanka by Ryokan, probably the most beloved Japanese zen monk, poet, and calligrapher, 1758 - 1830 Pigment inks on washi Japanese paper and sumi ink brush calligraphy; - For these works I like to use the traditional henteigana script style which was used for literary works and poetry, although it is, since the turn of the last century, not in common daily use anymore - Please note: Also available are Original FineArt Prints on 100% Cotton Fibre paper with manually/individually applied Genuine Gold Leaf, hand-signed, dated, with authenticity ID card; 16 x 20in. - please send message - to be made on request