Tsuneo Nakazawa b. 1973
H135 x W25 x D4 cm
世の中は夢か現か (Yononaka wa Yume ka Utsutsu ka)
Original Japanese (Inscribed Portion):
よのなかは ゆめかうつつか うつつとも
Phonetic Sound:
Yononaka wa
Yume ka Utsutsu ka
Utsutsu tomo
English Translation:
Is this world a dream or reality?
Even what we perceive as real...
Background / Explanation:
This verse is the opening three phrases (kami-no-ku, 上句) of a traditional Japanese waka poem from the Kokin Wakashū(Collection of Japanese Poems of Ancient and Modern Times), Book XVIII, Miscellaneous Poems II, compiled during the Heian period. The poet is unknown.
Only these first three phrases are inscribed on the artwork. The complete poem is provided below for reference.
Complete Original Poem:
世の中は夢か現か現とも夢とも知らずありてなければ
English Translation of the Complete Poem:
Is this world a dream or reality?
I cannot tell whether it is real or a dream,
For it exists, and yet it does not.
The poem reflects on the elusive boundary between dreams and reality and the impermanent nature of existence.