The Classic Tradition of Haiku: An Anthology
by Faubion Bowers
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Description
A highly distilled form of Japanese poetry, haiku consists of seventeen syllables, usually divided among three lines. Though brief, they tell a story or paint a vivid picture, leaving it to the reader to draw out the meanings and complete them in the mind's eye. Haiku often contains a hidden dualism (near and far, then and now, etc.) and has a seasonal tie-in, as well as specific word-images that reveal deeper layers in each poem.This unique collection spans over 400 years (1488–1902) of show more haiku history by the greatest masters: Bash?, Issa, Shiki, and many more, in translations by top-flight scholars in the field. Haiku commands enormous respect in Japan. Now readers of poetry in the West can savor these expressive masterpieces in this treasury compiled by noted writer Faubion Bowers, who provides a Foreword and many informative notes to the poems.
. Fiction. Poetry. show less
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Member Reviews
Though a short book (78 pages), the collection is a good one: classic haiku from the 15th to 19th century with a wide selection from many different authors. I hate footnotes, but this book puts all of its commentary into footnotes -- nearly every poem has a substantial footnote. Nevertheless, the commentary is interesting, so squint your eyes and start reading...
rabck from cordeliaAnne; light read before released
Reviewed in Blithe Spirit 7/4 Nov 1997
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10 Works 519 Members
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Classic Tradition of Haiku: An Anthology
- Original publication date
- 1996
- Important places
- Mount Fuji, Japan
- First words
- Snow yet remaining
The mountain slopes are misty -
An evening in spring - Quotations
- Haiku should be just
small stones dropping down a well
with a small splash - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)See how it hovers
In these streets of yellow fog
A human shadow
Classifications
- Genres
- Poetry, Fiction and Literature
- DDC/MDS
- 895.61008 — Literature & rhetoric Literatures of other languages Literatures of East and Southeast Asia Japanese Japanese poetry Collections
- LCC
- PL782 .E3 .C53 — Language and Literature Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania Languages of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania Japanese language and literature Japanese literature Collections
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 381
- Popularity
- 81,733
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.80)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 2
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 2
