Live from the Hashi no Hashi

In Japanese, the word hashi can mean "bridge," "edge," or "chopsticks" depending on very subtle shifts of the speaker's tone in a language that is, for the most part, mono-tonal.  In my second year of Japanese language study back at college, my class read a story about a legendary monk named ikkyu-san who, when arrested for disregarding a sign that read "don't cross this bridge," assured the authorities that he had not been walking on the edge of the bridge, but in the middle.  This pun is both unfunny and confusing.  Looking back, I'm surprised that so many of us continued to pursue our Japanese studies after reading that story.

Last night, I took these photographs on my way home.

My camera and I lean over the edge of the Eitaibashi a bit too precariously, at times.

And we find that as moving objects come nearer to us, the harder it becomes to capture their motion.

But evading capture can be the whole point of movement, anyway.

I think that I was especially captivated myself, while positioning my lens over the edge of the bridge (or, hashi no hashi) last night, because I have been feeling immensely 'on edge' lately.  For one, I am anxiously awaiting a letter from immigration regarding the status of my visa application. 

As well, a few days ago I gave an advanced copy of my book to my program sponsor, who needs to read my memoir to get all the background information for my fifth step.  Waiting for her to finish reading it, I am desperately hoping that she does not think that my writing sucks. 

And there are even more reasons for my current state of edginess, yet I don't feel comfortable publishing them at the moment. 

So I post pictures of distorted lights from over the edge of my favorite bridge instead.

Comments

[LaMortImmortelle]

How come it seems like you are always at a bridge or boat? o.O

haha japanese sure seems comfusing..i want to study it in a year or two at uni -.-'

ugh having someone judge our own writing is always a very vulnerable position to be in. >< i understand =)
I'm sure it'll go great =D

Goodluck and take care <3

[THW]

Maybe I need to reach a level of enlightenment that the monk was at to appreciate it, but that Japanese pun made no sense.

[Yanpa]

hashi -> 端 = edge
hashi -> 橋 = bridge

hashi no hashi -> 橋の端 = the edge of the bridge.

Terrible language for bad puns, Japanese.