Danwon's Portrait of Threshers and Landowner

Threshing ( Tajak - 타작 )

Landowner's Sijo

It's dull work but someone has to do it or they will dawdle in the shade.
Still, I'd rather sit at home with a brush in my hand  instead of this pipe,
working on a portrait of the king. Why am I reduced to a watch-dog?

One Thresher's Sijo

I guess he did good in his former life for him to loaf like this now,

But it's little comfort to me hatless and pipeless under the summer sun,

Could I be reborn instead as a bird or fly, free from envy and bitterness?

Another Thresher's Sijo

The sun's a harsh landlord to us but it's kind to the rice; this harvest
means I can carry home rice for the children tonight. But is there enough
to put on the altar for the child who starved and died the year before?

For earlier postings with sijo inspired by Danwon:

Portrait of a Family
Danwon's Classroom

sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Danwon-Byeo.tajak.jpg
http://article.joins.com/article/article.asp?Total_ID=3319781
http://everything.explained.at/Danwon/
http://thewordshop.tripod.com/Sijo/sijo-index.htm
http://sejongculturalsociety.org/writing/current/sijo_guide.html

Danwon's Classroom

Schoolmaster's Sijo

Even the youngest here can answer this simple question!

Why doesn't he know? Why can't he understand?

Fifty winters ago, I was him. How quickly I've forgotten what I learnt.

The KNTO webpage now has an on-line art gallery featuring works by Kim Hong-do ( also known as Danwon) and Shin Yun-bok, the painters featured in the SBS 2008 drama production, Painter of the Wind. Danwon is known for his humorous and humanistic sketches of ordinary people.

For similar postings
Danwon's Threshing
Danwon's Classroom


sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sijo

Danwon's Portrait of A Family

Husband's Sijo

She nags about the price of radishes, my drinking,

Our child cries - hunger or a wet bottom?

Two hours before home where I can enjoy silence.

Wife's Sijo

The cradle on my head's heavy, the child on my back, heavier.

How much rice can we afford to buy for dinner tonight?

Two lovers I rejected for him and now this.

Baby's Sijo

He winks and smiles but he's red as a berry

Her back is warm but wet; she smells of fish and milk.

Two funny people. Where have I seen them before?

Stumbled upon this addition to the KNTO webpage - an on-line art gallery featuring works by Kim Hong-do ( also known as Danwon) and Shin Yun-bok, the painters featured in the SBS 2008 drama production, Painter of the Wind. Happy viewing!

For similar postings

Danwon's Threshing

Danwon's Classroom

sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sijo