Time for the 4th collection of haiku posts from my Haiku of Japan series. Some great ones in here! Remember if you enjoy any of these, click on the title of the haiku to visit a post just about that haiku only which may give you some more info or background about the poem.
Enjoy!
君や蝶我や荘子が夢心
kimi ya cho ware ya Souji ga yumegokoro
—Basho
you’re the butterfly
I’m Chuang-tzu's
dream essence
行く年や親に白髪をかくしけり
yuku toshi ya oya ni shiraga wo kakushi keri
—Etsujin
The ending year...
From my parents I hide
my grey hair
釣鐘に止まりてねむる胡蝶かな
tsurigane ni tomarite nemuru kocho kana
—Buson
on the temple bell
sleeping
a butterfly
年とらぬつもりなりしが鐘の鳴る
toshi toranu tsumori narishi ga kane no naru
—Jokun
never never to grow old
was my intention...
the temple bell tolls
秋の夜や犬からもらったり猫にあたえたり
aki no yo ya inu kara morattari neko ni ataetari
—Santoka
autumn night...
got it from a dog
and gave it to a cat
餘命いくばくかある夜短し
yomei ikubaku ka aru yo mijikashi
—Shiki
my life...
how much is left?
the night is short
三日月にひしひしと物の静まりぬ
mikazuki ni hishihishi to mono no shizumarinu
—Chiyo-ni
At the crescent moon
the feeling
of silence
禅寺の松の落葉や神無月
zendera ni matsu no ochiba ya kannazuki
—Boncho
at the zen temple
pine needles falling
month of no gods
宿の春何もなきこそ何もあれ
yado no haru nani mo naki koso nani mo are
—Sodo
spring at my hut
there is nothing...
yet, there is everything
御幸にも編笠ぬがぬ案山子かな
miyuki ni mo amigasa nuganu kagashi kana
—Dansui
even to the emperor
he will not lift his hat
the scarecrow
And there we go. Hope you enjoyed. Remember, you can click on the title of each haiku to go to the original post on that haiku where I give some commentary on the poem and perhaps some insight.
Also note, all of these were translated by me, except where otherwise noted. Feel free to use any of these translations anywhere you want, but if you do, please credit me (or the proper translator). I ask that not so much because of my ego, but as a haiku reader myself I always want to know who did the translation so I can find more from them if I like it, so I'm always really happy when a website or book gives that info.
Needless to say, if you enjoyed any of these, follow me for more. I try to post one a day. Sometimes I miss a day if work or family gets in the way, but I do try to keep up.
If you enjoyed any of these haiku, you may also enjoy the first 3 collections from the series:
If you enjoyed this post, please like and resteem. Also be sure to follow me to see more from Japan everyday.
I post one photo everyday, as well as a haiku and as time allows, videos, more Japanese history, and so on. Let me know if there is anything about Japan you would like to know more about or would like to see.
 | David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time. |