星既に秋の眼をひらきけり

The stars have already
opened
their autumn eyes†
—Ozaki Koyo

Hoshi sude ni / aki no manako wo / hirakikeri

(print by Namiki Hajime)

Better known as one of the founders of modern Japanese literature, Ozaki also wrote some amazing haiku. He had studied Western poetry and you can see the influence of that in this haiku.

This poem titled Autumn begins, which traditionally is set in August when it is still hot outside but one can sense the difference at night under the stars, feeling and smelling the coming season change.

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Footnotes:

†: Tr. Janine Beichman

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Don't miss the other great haiku in the Haiku of Japan series!

#1 - Traveling to the inn
#2 - Childless Woman
#3 - Old Dancing Butterfly
#4 - Seeing the Moon
#5 - Checking the Scarecrow
#6 - Skill of Insects
#7 - The Spider Lilies
#8 - A Thousand Green Mountains
#9 - Falling Lead Enlightenment
#10 - Lonely Night
#11 - Her Day Off
#12 - Autumn Crow
#13 - Faint Footprints
#14 - Alone on the Road

❦

David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku. He blogs here and at laspina.org.