Samantha’s trip to Japan had been nothing but eventful – immersing herself in the culture and ways of the Japanese. Yes, she would return.
And now, her she was taking part in the Tōrō nagashi. Her prayer, as she lit her lantern, was for her father. They hadn’t spoken in the 2 years preceding his death last week.
Watching her float sail, she hoped he could read her thoughts and know that despite all the angry words spoken, she had loved him dearly.
Back home, she would visit his grave and tell him all about her trip. Blinded by tears, she stood and watched.
©Vivian Zems
Tōrō nagashi (灯籠流し) is a Japanese ceremony in which participants float paper lanterns down a river; tōrō is a word for “lantern,” while nagashi means “cruise” or “flow.” This activity is traditionally performed on the final evening of the Bon Festival in the belief that it will help to guide the souls of the departed to the spirit world.
August 22, 2018 at 7:33 pm
I hope she can get over her problem somehow. Since he’s died, she’ll never be able fully to set things straight but maybe he can understand her somehow. I know the dead have always had a reputation for knowing when people intercede on their behalf.
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August 25, 2018 at 1:32 am
I hope so too. Thanks, Larry
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August 22, 2018 at 9:18 pm
Beautifully done, Vivian! All it needs is a haiku at the end, and it would make a poignant haibun! 🙂
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August 25, 2018 at 1:32 am
Awww…thank you!
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August 22, 2018 at 9:19 pm
Hopefully a ceremony that will help her overcome the regret she feels.
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August 25, 2018 at 1:31 am
Hopefully…
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August 23, 2018 at 1:47 am
The sadness of unresolved broken relationships. Once gone, gone forever.
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August 24, 2018 at 7:20 am
Indeed!
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August 23, 2018 at 10:07 am
Touching!
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August 24, 2018 at 7:20 am
Thank you 😊
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August 24, 2018 at 11:32 am
Dear Vivian,
How sad that Samantha wasn’t able to talk to her father while he was alive. Touching story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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August 25, 2018 at 1:30 am
Thanks, Rochelle!
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August 24, 2018 at 3:31 pm
It’s strange, how embracing the unfamiliar, by way of travel, can bring out emotion that might have been suppressed in more familiar environs.
But am I right in surmising–since her father’s death was only last week, and it sounds like she has been on this trip to Japan for some time, and is still there–that she has missed her father’s death and funeral ? That adds an additional layer of anger on her part, in choosing to stay a little while longer, to the already, admittedly, painful and distant relationship she has with her father.
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August 25, 2018 at 1:30 am
Great insight…and you’re right, she stayed behind and said her goodbye where she stood. Human beings are complicated…sigh. Thanks for reading
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August 25, 2018 at 10:15 pm
Beautifully done & poignant.
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August 26, 2018 at 5:27 pm
Thank you 😊
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August 26, 2018 at 11:22 am
An all-too familiar story. Her attendance at the ceremony and her commitment to visiting his grave are very poignant.
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August 26, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Thank you for your comments 😊
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