Chapter Volare nella notte su ali rilucenti. L’airone (sagi) nel Giappone premoderno tra letteratura, folklore e bestiari

Abstract

The heron (sagi) holds a cherished place among avian figures in Japanese culture, although it has received less scholarly attention compared to other birds. Its significance can be traced back to some of the oldest surviving texts. References to white herons are present in the Man’yōshū (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves, second half of the 8th century) and the Kokin waka rokujō (Six Quires of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poetry, late 10th century). Additionally, the docile bittern appears in the Heike monogatari (Tale of the Heike, 13th century), and the nō drama Sagi (The Heron) is another noteworthy example. Depictions of herons with long legs are found in the verses of Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694) and Yosa Buson (1716-1784). In the extensively studied cases mentioned above, the heron often emerges as an elegant motif set against aquatic landscapes, frequently associated with themes of solitude. However, in less explored areas of folklore and bestiaries, the heron takes on a supernatural dimension. It becomes linked to both water and fire, as well as concepts of life and death. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the representations of herons in premodern Japan, this essay will adopt a structured approach. It will commence by offering a summary of existing literature on the subject, establishing the groundwork. Subsequently, the essay will delve into the analysis of sources that have received relatively less attention, particularly focusing on folklore and bestiaries.