With the utmost economy and skill, the haiku poet paints a vast mural on a narrow canvas. Working within the strict 17-syllable limits of the traditional Japanese form, Matsuo Basho (1644–1694) and other masters evoke elements of the natural world to conjure up timeless moods and emotions. This volume features dozens of Basho's poems as well as works by his predecessors and ten of his disciples — Kikaku, Ransetsu, Joso, and Kyoroku among them. Intended principally for readers with no knowledge of Japanese literature, this treasury includes the original Japanese text, a transliteration, and English translations for each verse; most poems also include a brief explication.
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(Approximately, from the middle of the 17th century to the middle of the 18th century, during which Bash
’s influence was most predominant)
Bash
(surname, Matsuo)
A samurai of Ueno, Iga Province; later an instructor in haikai; the founder of the Bash
School of haikai (1644–1694)
[ 14 ]
Gwanjitsu
Gwanjitsu ya Omoeba sabishi Aki no kure
New Year’s Day
Ah, the New Year’s Day reminds me Of a lonely autumn evening.
Bash
The poet, who feels happy and joyous on the happiest day in all the year, by and by recalls a past dreary, lonesome autumn evening. Such a mood is quite natural with Bash
, who always enjoyed quietude and lonesomeness.
[ 15 ]
Yuki-no-Asa no Karasu
Higoro nikuki Karasu mo yuki no Ashita kana
Crows on a Snowy Morning
The usually hateful crow— How lovely on the morn of snow !
Bash
It is a snowy morning. As far as eye can reach the world is mantled in virgin snow, which is interspersed here and there with glossy black crows. What a picturesque sight! In this case the crow seems a lovely creature—the unshapely, voracious, harsh-noted, black crow which is usually hateful. The original is of an elegant style, so in the translation “morn” and rhyme are used.
[ 16 ]
Nowaki
Inoshislai mo Tomoni fukaruru Nowaki kana
The Autumn Tempest
How the autumn storm roars, Blowing along even wild boars !
Bash
The tempest is so violent that even strong wild boars are blown along, together with tall grasses and trees. This verse is noted for its graphic description of the power of an autumn storm, and counted one of Bash
’s masterpieces.
In Japan violent storms often arise in autumn, and the wind is so powerful that trees in the fields are blown down. Hence the autumn tempest is called nowaki or “field-divider.”
[ 17 ]
Takadachi no Haikyo
Natsugusa ya Tsuwamono domo ga Yume no ato
The Ruins of Takadachi Fort
Ah, summer grasses wave ! The warriors’ brave deeds were ...
