Events PLACES TAKING PLACE - First session Poetry and Place: basho, Emptiness, and kireji
October 1st, 2026. 16:00~18:00 JST
Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture (Room 217)
PLACES TAKING PLACE - First session
In his presentation, Alberto Parisi explores kireji, known as the “cutting character or word” in haiku, which often appears within or at the end of a poem to create a pause in rhythm and meaning. Although scholars and poets have long debated its precise function beyond simply signaling a pause, the kireji remains vital to haiku composition. Discussions of its role often shift into a different realm, inviting perspectives beyond traditional poetic ideas. To enhance understanding, Parisi takes a philosophical approach, referencing a 1982 essay by Kyoto School philosopher Keiji Nishitani titled “Emptiness and Sameness” (「空と即」, Kū to soku). In this work, key concepts from the Kyoto School—including Nishida’s ideas of pure experience, place (basho), and discontinuous continuity, along with Nishitani’s notion of emptiness and what Ōhashi later called kire-tsuzuki, or “cut-continuance”—are connected through poetry. Parisi contends that by following Nishitani’s subtle, implicit integration of these ideas, the kireji ultimately represents the synthesis of a philosophical tradition: the point where immediate experience, emptiness, cut-continuance, breath, and what today has taken the name of atmosphere come together as a constellation pointing in a single direction.
In his presentation, Alberto Parisi explores kireji, known as the “cutting character or word” in haiku, which often appears within or at the end of a poem to create a pause in rhythm and meaning. Although scholars and poets have long debated its precise function beyond simply signaling a pause, the kireji remains vital to haiku composition. Discussions of its role often shift into a different realm, inviting perspectives beyond traditional poetic ideas. To enhance understanding, Parisi takes a philosophical approach, referencing a 1982 essay by Kyoto School philosopher Keiji Nishitani titled “Emptiness and Sameness” (「空と即」, Kū to soku). In this work, key concepts from the Kyoto School—including Nishida’s ideas of pure experience, place (basho), and discontinuous continuity, along with Nishitani’s notion of emptiness and what Ōhashi later called kire-tsuzuki, or “cut-continuance”—are connected through poetry. Parisi contends that by following Nishitani’s subtle, implicit integration of these ideas, the kireji ultimately represents the synthesis of a philosophical tradition: the point where immediate experience, emptiness, cut-continuance, breath, and what today has taken the name of atmosphere come together as a constellation pointing in a single direction.
Program:
16:00-17:00: Poetry and Place: basho, Emptiness, and kireji
Speaker: Alberto Parisi (Kobe University)
17:00-18:00: Discussion
This workshop will take place in English. It will be possible to ask questions using other languages.
For the zoom link to participate online, please contact us
16:00-17:00: Poetry and Place: basho, Emptiness, and kireji
Speaker: Alberto Parisi (Kobe University)
17:00-18:00: Discussion
This workshop will take place in English. It will be possible to ask questions using other languages.
For the zoom link to participate online, please contact us