Makoto Ueda (1) (1931–2020)

In my bibliography of Cherry Blossom Epiphany, I call Ueda's book the best book on haiku interpretation ever written. It is. Because Ueda translates commentary by Japanese poets and critics about Basho's ku rather than writing his own analyses, the book did not get as many reviews as it deserved. To make so fine a selection and translate it as well as it is translated is just as hard and requires just as much creativity as writing a novel. Read this book if you would understand Japanese show more haiku (and why multiple translation is often needed, though Ueda does not discuss or do this). show less

A great and highly-readable book of modern tanka. The introduction gives a solid introduction to the development of modern tanka, both from Japanese and Western influences. Twenty poets are featured with a short biography of each and a nice introductory selection. The poems are varied and interesting. Definitely worth reading.

Collection of haiku written by female authors, interesting but haiku not my favourite form of poetry.

A micro-poem for every mood, every hunger, every passing fancy.
today too
out of this urge to cry
I went to the city