281Japanese idiom 四字熟語
雪月花
せつげっかSetsugekka
“Snow, moon, flowers.”
The meaning
Three words for the three beauties of the seasons — winter, autumn, spring — and for the art of awaiting each in its time. Beauty has a calendar; knowing it is already a happiness.
At the origin
The classical aesthetic triad, from a line by the Chinese poet Bai Juyi.
The characters
In practice
Ask what this month, and this month only, offers of beauty — then go see it.
Editorial note
Triad from a line by Bai Juyi.
Themes
Similar proverbs
- 101 月に叢雲、花に風 Over the moon, gathering clouds; over blossoms, wind.
- 111 花は盛りに、月は隈なきをのみ見るものかは Should we look at blossoms only in full bloom, at the moon only when it is clear?
- 136 花鳥風月 Flowers, birds, wind, moon.
- 168 菜の花や月は東に日は西に Field of rapeseed — the moon in the east, the sun in the west.
- 102 柳に雪折れなし Snow does not break the willow.