The Essential Haiku: Versions of Bashō, Buson, and Issa

I took a class from Robert Haas during my undergrad. He was a vague teacher but his lectures were careful, rigorous, and were often delivered with a gentleness that made what would otherwise be burdensome topics graceful. So it is with this collection of Haiku by Buson, Basho, and Issa. Among the projects he set forth in the this edition, Haas wanted to show through contrast, how each master's personality and style comes through their work however restricted the form. The effect of reading this collection is that the differences become clear:

Issa's comical voice:

I'm going out,
Flies, so relax,
Make love.


Buson's imagery:

The spring sea rising
and falling, rising
and falling all day.


Basho's philosophical melancholy:

First day of spring-
I keep show more thinking about
the end of Autumn.


I highly recommend this collection for anyone interested in the Haiku form. Though there are some cultural and translational fault lines mapping the boundaries of this style of poetry the main ideas come through, often in unexpected ways: a flash of imagery or setting will set off a spontaneous feeling of sorrow or happiness, frustration or guilt. show less

I took a class from Robert Haas during my undergrad. He was a vague teacher but his lectures were careful, rigorous, and were often delivered with a gentleness that made what would otherwise be burdensome topics graceful. So it is with this collection of Haiku by Buson, Basho, and Issa. Among the projects he set forth in the this edition, Haas wanted to show through contrast, how each master's personality and style comes through their work however restricted the form. The effect of reading this collection is that the differences become clear:

Issa's comical voice:

I'm going out,
Flies, so relax,
Make love.


Buson's imagery:

The spring sea rising
and falling, rising
and falling all day.


Basho's philosophical melancholy:

First day of spring-
I keep show more thinking about
the end of Autumn.


I highly recommend this collection for anyone interested in the Haiku form. Though there are some cultural and translational fault lines mapping the boundaries of this style of poetry the main ideas come through, often in unexpected ways: a flash of imagery or setting will set off a spontaneous feeling of sorrow or happiness, frustration or guilt. show less

Robert Hass's translations of these three great Haiku masters is wonderful. I just picked up my book again, and I found about 40 yellow stickies in it, pointing to my favorite poems. Here is my absolute all-time favorite:

Children imitating cormorants
are even more wonderful
than cormorants.

When I think about Haiku, it comes across to me like a sort of distilled microcosm of poetry in general. It's expressive, but often follows a formal structure, it can be about anything, but often follows common themes, different authors can feel wildly different even within the same format. It's why in many ways when introducing young people to poetry, I think an anthology of Haikus is a good place to begin, they can be discussed extensively, follow a variety of themes (seasonal works would be especially useful), are quick to read which means they can be read in class and discussed in larger numbers than many other works. It also represents an opportunity for young readers to experience literature from another part of the world, and to show more discuss the idea of translation and what it means for the reader. show less

This book features versions of about one hundred poems by each of three masters in haiku tradition, Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), Yosa Buson (1716-1783), and Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827). The introduction tells us that according to Japanese literary criticism, these three men represent three types of the poet. Basho is seen as the ascetic and seeker, Buson the artist, and Issa the humanist. The differences in each poet's style can be seen at a glance. This book contains interesting short biographies of each of the men as well as some of their prose and notes on the poems. There are a few interesting black and white illustrations throughout the book including some by Yosa Buson himself. The introduction by Robert Hass is a superb introduction show more to haiku itself.
These beautiful three line poems, located in Nature with their implied Buddhist reflection are each a meditation, a centering, and a crystalline moment of realization. Reading them has a way of bringing about calm and peace within the reader. The symbolism of the seasons and the Japanese habit of mind blend together in these poems to create an alchemy of reflection that is unsurpassed in literature. The exquisite skill of these three masters make their subject matter seem completely organic, without artifice. Each poem contains a unique "Ah!" experience because they pierce directly to the soul, activating the human capacity for seeing with a still mind and an observing heart.
If you are new to haiku this is a wonderful compendium of the best of the genre. If you are already a lover of haiku this book is a delightfully compact, essential package, a real treasure you are sure to enjoy again and again. show less

Robert Hass has put together an excellent collection of traditional Japanese haiku. He has translated most of them quite well, and does an excellent job of describing their context and of selecting and ordering the poems. Buson is my favorite of the three Japanese poets presented -- he does an amazing job at imagery. Basho, to be honest, is not one of my favorite -- as one of the earliest haiku poets, he strikes me as having many good ideas, but not being quite so skilled at writing -- of course, to be fair, that's really hard to judge in translation. Issa has a nice light-hearted view of the world, but he also seems to be less skilled in description, though I love Issa's haibun. Nevertheless, I expect you'll like the few I've picked show more out here.

Lightning --
and in the dark
the screech of a night heron.
-- Basho

Tethered horse;
snow
in both stirrups.
-- Buson

Snow is melting
and the village is flooded
with children.

-- Issa show less

Excellent book that gives us some historical perspective on three of the greatest poets who ever lived: Basho, Buson & Issa. At the core of each are three metaphysical ideas about natural things: "that they are transient; that they are contingent; that they suffer." "A cicada shell;/ it sang itself/ utterly away." _ basho "Morning breeze / riffling / the caterpillar's hair." _Buson "Climb Mt. Fuji,/ oh snail,/ but slowly, slowly." and "I'm going out,/ flies, so relax,/ make love." _Issa