Miura - Classic Haiku: a Masters Selection

In the spring sea Waves undulating and undulating All day long. Haru no umi Hinemosu Notari notari kana YOSA BUSON Yosa Buson (1716-84) was a leading poet of the late eighteenth century and also a distinguished painter. His poetry is pictorial, romantically lyrical, and often displays a delicate sensitivity. Yama-yake no Akari ni kudaru Yobune kana KOBAYASHI ISSA A watching crane Whoops far and wide As the dawn approaches. Yama-yake no Akari ni kudaru Yobune kana KOBAYASHI ISSA A watching crane Whoops far and wide As the dawn approaches.

Mi-hari tsuru Yo-ake to tomo ni Naki wataru MIURA YUZURU A spring day A long line of footprints On the sandy beach. Suna-hama ni Ashi-ato nagaki Haru hi kana MASAOKA SHIKI In his youth Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) contracted tuberculosis and became an invalid. He devoted his life to literature, writing essays, haiku, and tanka (traditional thirty-one syllable poems). Shiki pushed forward a major reform of haiku by advocating the writing of shasei (sketches from life). In 1897 he initiated the haiku magazine Hototogisu (cuckoo). Toddling orphan sparrow, Come and play! I'm always your playmate.

Ware to kite Asobe ya oya no Nai suzume KOBAYASHI ISSA Spring rain A thrown-away letter Windblown in the grove Haru-same ya Yabu ni fukaruru Sute tegami KOBAYASHI ISSA In my deserted home village The old cherry tree Now in bloom. Mikagirishi Koky no sakura Saki ni keri KOBAYASHI ISSA Buddha the Savior Gets offerings of flowers and money Even while sleeping. Mi-hotoke ya Nete gozattemo Hana to zeni KOBAYASHI ISSA Wearing a sedge hat A maiden looks in the mirror Oblivious of picking tea leaves. Suge-gasa o Kite kagami miru Chatsumi kana KAGAMI SHIK Kagami Shik (1665-1731) was one of the ten major disciples of Bash. He wrote the first critical essay on Basho and is credited with popularizing Basho's work throughout the country. Asa-kaze ya Tada hito-suji ni Age-hibari SHIMA RYTA shima Ryta (1718-87) avoided the witty, urbane style of haiku prevalent in the mid-eighteenth century and prompted a return of the original principles of Bash. Asa-kaze ya Tada hito-suji ni Age-hibari SHIMA RYTA shima Ryta (1718-87) avoided the witty, urbane style of haiku prevalent in the mid-eighteenth century and prompted a return of the original principles of Bash.

He was an excellent teacher and had two thousand pupils at one time. Sleeping, waking, And then giving a great yawn, The cat goes out for lovemaking. Nete okite -akubi shite Neko no koi KOBAYASHI ISSA Double cherry blossoms Flutter in the wind One petal after another. Hito-e zutsu Hito-e zutsu chire Yae-zakura MASAOKA SHIKI Note: Double-petaled cherry blossoms are deeper in color than single ones and have a later blooming season. With the cherry blossoms gone The temple is glimpsed Through twigs and branches Hana chirite Ko-no-ma no Tera to nari ni keri YOSA BUSON Woodcarved dolls- August countenances From bygone days.