Microseason: Wild Geese Head North
SPRING
PURE + BRIGHT
WILD GEESE HEAD NORTH
9 - 14 April
As spring unfolds, the natural world orchestrates a series of migratory transitions. In synchrony with the arrival of swallows, geese commence their northward journey to regions such as Siberia and North America. There, they will nest and rear their young, returning to Japan with the onset of Autumn. The cyclical nature of their migration has long been emblematic of seasonal rhythms and has inspired numerous artistic and literary works throughout Japanese history.
With a wingspan reaching up to 1.4 meters, wild geese hold a significant place in Japanese culture. Particularly in Northern Japan. It is designated as the prefectural bird of Miyagi and features prominently in family crests.
Ganburo (goose bath) is an intriguing tradition in the Tsugaru region. According to local legend, geese carry small twigs during their migration, dropping them upon arrival in Japan and retrieving them upon departure. Twigs left behind were believed to belong to geese that perished during the Winter. So in homage, the community would collect these twigs to fire their baths as a form of remembrance and respect for the fallen birds.
The geese's departure is not merely a biological event but also a cultural touchstone. Traditional Japanese poetry, or haiku, encapsulates this sentiment with seasonal words (kigo) like kaéru kari (returning geese), evoking imagery of their organized flight formations against the Spring sky. Additionally, terms such as torigumori (bird clouds) describe the overcast skies that often accompany the departure of these migratory birds, while torikazé (bird winds) refers to the sound of wings carving the air, reminiscent of a gentle breeze.
Observing the geese as they embark on their arduous journey northward, we reflect on the intricate interplay between the migratory traditions of birds in the sky and cultural tradition of humans on earth. Their departure serves as a reminder that humans are simply one part of the natural world. However, recently we have seen a decline the number of these wild geese, leading to their current status as a protected species in Japan.
Photo credit: Taito Ward News