The June 2014 issue of Quadrant contains three of Andrew’s poems, each written in the traditional Japanese form known as the tanka: “Tribute to Three Masters”, “Consecration” and “Clash”. These tanka were written after Andrew and his wife, Susan, visited Japan in 2013.

“Consecration” (below) is a lament for the 52 Christians burnt at the stake at the Shogun’s command on the banks of Kamo River in Kyoto in 1619, near the beginning of the 250 year suppression of Christianity in Japan:

Consecration

i.m. the Kyoto martyrs, 1619

 

On the wind’s tongue

the spring cherry tree places

a host of Hosts

to consecrate the place where

Catholics were turned to ghosts.

            © Andrew Lansdown