Comments | wongkk: the Kenshin sake thing: 2 more picpoems

wongkk

the Kenshin sake thing: 2 more picpoems

Jun 01, 2008 23:30

To continue the theme and to get these out of my system, I offer two further Kenshin glimpses: sake used a prop for a piece of taunting and the downfall due to the sake (I really need a more appropriate picture for this - big apologies to Gackt for stealing a bit of Crescent for Kenshin):

( Read more... )

kenshin, sake, poetry, gackt

Comments 26

Fallen anonymous June 2 2008, 06:54:16 UTC

Wow. I think Fallen is one of the best poems I've seen - subtle and strong - about mortality, addictions and yet also of hopefulness. It's a cautionary tale that hangs on the Kenshin idea but has a resonance way beyond that. Who doesn't need a reminder that our clocks are running down and that we need to make the most of the life (and body) we've got? The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak etc.

IGW

Re: Fallen wongkk June 3 2008, 00:40:09 UTC

Wow - thank you for such a nice compliment. I'm pleased that you enjoyed this piece so much.

I'm still a bit troubled by the modernity of the image (it's the only photo I had to hand of someone actually "fallen" - and the chances of the someone also being costumed as a 16thC Japanese warlord were about nil!)

It IS difficult to package the complexity of a serious, universal message without being pompous or didactic. Kenshin was a good icon for us all here and I was grateful to the shape of the visual framing for imposing a boundary.

Such "big" themes can be a turn-off and I didn't think that readers would have liked this one. Thanks for proving me wrong!

shyone05 June 2 2008, 11:18:41 UTC

This was a wonderful series. So sad to witness the slow self-destruction of such a proud man. Well done.

wongkk June 3 2008, 00:50:35 UTC

Thanks very much; I'm glad that you liked the poems and that the sequence kept a coherence for you.

I found the discovery - revelation courtesy of raiko06 - of Kenshin's succumbing to sake peculiarly powerful and very disappointing (in a creatively use-able sense). I think this disappointment must have been partly because the image I had already built of Kenshin was equipped with Gackt's own impressive breadth of talents! Fortunately, music seems to be Gackt's main stimulant; shame it wasn't the same for Kenshin.

Thanks for reading and for taking the trouble to leave a note of your enjoyment.

ditch_gospel June 2 2008, 21:39:15 UTC

As someone mentioned above, the sake poems do make up a series. I find that very neat.

Is it wrong that the first poem here amuses me very much? It nearly made me chuckle. I like the tone and mood of the poem's voice, and how it fits so well with the eccentric image.

The second is quite a grim contrast to the first, so somber in comparison. It quickly sobers up the drunken amusement of the first!

wongkk June 3 2008, 01:08:48 UTC

Please, chuckle away! That first one (drinking to the music of falling arrows) is intended to amuse and shows another facet to Kenshin's character. Gackt makes him seem lively - even in the stills! - so I wanted to show his more playful side and to use a variety of Kenshin/sake associations, not just the obvious "slippery slope" one ( ... )

ditch_gospel June 3 2008, 01:24:04 UTC

Tenpou? Funny you mention him at a time like this, since his name would also be pronounced Tem-pou. ;)

I really do like the first poem. Funny that this time around, it isn't the gloomier one that appeals to me. But as you say, it isn't so much doom and gloom as hopeful and sympathetic.

Working in London again? That means taking the 5am train, doesn't it? Ugh!

eph3meraldream June 12 2008, 01:25:04 UTC

lmao I like the stuff that comes out of your brain it cool ^^ Yep, Gackt's face says a lot he has the best expressions

I love these especially the second poem it's beautifully written. Seriously! what was your inspiration for a that poem?

wongkk June 14 2008, 00:31:34 UTC

You mean the "Fallen" one? I suppose I was meshing a couple of things ( ... )

chikotori July 12 2008, 02:54:38 UTC

Oh, my. I'm not a fan of poetry, but yours....is simply wonderful. I love love love 'Kampai'. It fits the picture so well and that's one of my favourite scenes from Fuurinkazan!

I prefer 'Kampai' to 'Fallen', but I think that's because I prefer the mood in the former to the latter. However, 'Fallen' is the type of poem that I can reread many times because I can somehow see something new every time I read it.

Ahahahaha, as you can see, I'm exploring your LJ now XD

wongkk July 12 2008, 22:27:17 UTC

I'm so pleased the trip over here wasn't wasted! And thank you for your compliments; I write much more than I post because I'm not at all sure of my judgement about what's good. Your opinion is really encouraging, thank you ( ... )