In Japan, like in many other places, it’s common to write a will when preparing for death. But what makes Japanese culture unique is the tradition of also leaving behind a “farewell poem to life” (jisei). A practice that became deeply rooted and widely embraced.
Reading the last thoughts/last observations of those who lived long ago, right before they passed, is surreal. It really makes you wonder what your own last thoughts would be. What smells will be around you in your final hour? What sounds?
Such beautiful, yet simple poems immortalising their lives as their physical ones move on only moments after the poem was written.
Here are a few that have stuck with me so far:
