Pages

Monday, October 14, 2019

Ephemeral iridescence of soap bubbles

Children sparkle with soap bubbling.

F and two Ys in 2017

Some bubbles last long flying as high as they can ....
 till suddenly popping out.
Some disappear too soon barely before they fly.


When there is hardly any breeze, bubbles hover around in the garden.
In the wind, bubbles are carried up away into the sky.

Merged bubbles

My grandchildren start to sing a song “Soap Bubbles" when they bubble soap.
 I have known the song since my childhood.

Soap Bubbles (1923)
Lyrics by Ujo Noguchi (1882-1945)

しゃぼん玉とんだ
屋根までとんだ
屋根までとんで
こわれて消えた

シャボン玉消えた
飛ばずに消えた
うまれてすぐに
こわれて消えた

風 風 吹くな
シャボン玉とばそ

(meaning)
Soap bubbles flew in the air
as high as the roof top
Around the roof top
they went pop and disappeared

Soap bubbles popped out 
without flying  
Just after it was born  
they broke and disappeared

Wind, wind, don't blow
Let's fly soap bubbles

F in 2015

There is a theory that Noguchi wrote the poem
in remembrance of his child who lived only eight days,
a baby who had almost no chance of life in this world like the second stanza of the lyrics.
Another theory is that the song was a requiem to all the children who passed away.
It was not rare for the children to die young those days.
There is no clear evidence, however, to back up these theories.
I had thought the song was simple joy and wonder of soap bubbling
but after having learned these ideas, I've come to see one view of life and death.




F, two Ys, and M in September, 2019

Most of the TV news coverage is about the super typhoon over the holiday weekend.
The record amounts of rainfall caused 37 rivers to overflow in the eastern Japan.
It is reported that up to 40 percent of the yearly rainfall was recorded
in only a day or two in many areas.
Thoughts and prayers to all the affected by the typhoon.

Bubbles in the little corner of a big city, Osaka.


Linked to Mosaic Monday

25 comments:

  1. This post is very warm and nice to rekindle my childhood years playing with water bubbles too. I had endless hours of joy and fun playing alone by myself or with friends. It could be the least expensive toy and safest to play.

    I was glued to the TV and online updates of this huge Typhoon Hagibis that swept across Japan. I felt sad to see all the damages and sufferings. My thoughts and prayers will always be with the victims.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bubbles are fun and beautiful !!!! At any age...
    Lovely pictures in a country that suffer of lot with typhons and earthquake.
    Have a nice week !
    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello, My prayers to all in Japan. The flooding is terrible. Love the cute kiddies and the bubble photos. Cute photos. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great new week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bubble are just soooo much fun and I can tell the kids are having a wonderful time!! Makes me happy! Wishing you well!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello Yoko!
    I feel very sorry for the huge typhoon and the flood!
    I direct my thoughts and prayers.
    Bubbles are great fun for children.
    Amazing photos
    Hugs and greetings.
    Lucja

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your photos of bubbles Yoko are superb with so many pretty colours reflected in them. Your grandchildren are obviously great at blowing and enjoying bubbles which reminds me of an old song too.
    "I'm forever blowing bubbles,
    Pretty bubbles in the air,
    They fly so high, nearly reach the sky,
    Then like my dreams they fade and die.
    Fortune's always hiding,
    I've looked everywhere,
    I'm forever blowing bubbles,
    Pretty bubbles in the air.
    My thoughts are with all of those who have suffered so much as a result of the catastrophic typhoon and floods.

    ReplyDelete
  7. We've watched the weather and see the devastation and pray for everyone there too. Love your fun photos of the bubbles and happy faces! Enjoy your week!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've always loved playing with bubbles with my grandchildren and even have happy memories of blowing bubbles in my own childhood. I often keep my camera ready when the bubbles come out to play. I see the connection between bubbles and the transience of life. In a moment, all can change! I hope that Japan dries out quickly from the flooding.

    ReplyDelete
  9. How beautiful are the soap bubbles floating in the air.
    Wonderful photos, it is a pleasure to see the children so happy.
    Greetings and all the best
    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your pictures are so joyful. I am glad the frightening extreme weather happenings in Japan are not in your area. Although we don’t like to dwell on it, such events remind us we are fragile like the soap bubbles. Some have no chance to fly while others have their moment of glory. But fly or not, existence is all too brief in hindsight and every second a gift.

    ReplyDelete
  11. There is something joyful about bubbles that appeals to both children and adults, and you have captured this perfectly in your photos. Praying for all those that have been adversely affected by the typhoon. Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dear Yoko,
    I join you in thoughts and prayers to those affected by the typhoon. When you see smiling faces of children, their joy at simple pleasures, it feels unbearable to picture how helpless and vulnerable we are in the power of Nature.
    Your grandchildren are adorable! I love the image where the brother is showing his little sister how to do it - moving to tears.
    Take care, dear Yoko,
    Looking forward to your new posts.
    Irina

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am very glad that you are not in the area affected by the typhoon and the floods, and my thoughts and wishes for safety are with all those in the path of the storm.
    I love playing with bubbles. And my grandchildren love it too. Just one container of bubbles and they all run about like crazy children, trying to catch the bubbles!

    ReplyDelete
  14. my heartfelt prayers for friends who suffered with storm dear Yoko !!!

    your post is MESMERIZINGLY stunning dear friend

    you each capture is splendid and captivating , i am amazed by these delightful photos
    you are so skilled to catch such perfect photos of flying bubbles ,specially the background of bubbles is captured so smartly :)

    the excitement and happiness on the faces of your grand children fills my soul with joy and serenity :)

    i loved the poem but felt sad about it's background
    i believe our life no matter how long we think it is ,is not different than these bubbles :)
    sending you lots of love and best wishes for days ahead !

    ReplyDelete
  15. When I was a child I loved playing with soap bubbles nearly more than anything else - except looking into a kaleidoscope. Both these things seemed to me like an invitation into a magical world.

    ReplyDelete
  16. They sparkle with joy! Such happy and beautiful shots!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for commenting as always. I couldn’t send a comment as “stardust”. My comment; what dramatic clouds, and reflections!

      Delete
  17. Hello, I'm visiting you from Baili's blog.
    Your photographs are wonderful, they made me smile.
    There is something about bubbles, that no matter what age you are you enjoy them :)

    My thoughts and prayers go to all who have been affected by the typhoon.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  18. He estado fuera de vacaciones. Espero que todo esté ya normal Yoko. siento lo ocurrido amiga.
    Gracias por compartir tantas sonrisas felices.
    Te deseo un buen miércoles.
    Un abrazo.

    ReplyDelete
  19. There is little more universal than children playing and laughing. It warmed my heart to see these pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  20. こんにちわ  

     自動シャボン玉製造機、アイディア面白いですね! 
     皆さん、仲良くて微笑ましいです。

     いい思い出、素敵なひとときです。

    ReplyDelete
  21. シャボン玉のお遊び楽しそう!沢山出来て風に乗って飛んでますね。

    お忙しいことと思います。もうすぐカブスでお会い出来ることを願っています。

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I will visit your blog shortly. Have a nice day!