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The Heart of Haiku (Kindle Single)
by
Jane Hirshfield (Goodreads Author)
In seventeenth-century Japan, the wandering poet Basho developed haiku, a seventeen-syllable poetic form now perhaps the most widely written type of poetry in the world. Haiku are practiced by poets, lovers, and schoolchildren, by “political haiku” twitterers, by anyone who has the desire to pin preception and experience into a few quick phrases. This essay offers readers...more
Kindle Edition, 29 pages
Published
June 21st 2011
by Jane Hirshfield
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Dec 20, 2011
Marieke
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
brand-spankin-new,
non-fiction,
biography,
2011,
asia,
e-book,
japan,
history,
kindle,
poetry
I never knew much about
Basho or his hut or hat
his hurt, loss, renga
Basho or his hut or hat
his hurt, loss, renga
At under 30 pages, this Kindle Single doesn't outstay its welcome. For that matter, at that length, it doesn't overwhelm the elegant simplicity of the haiku form itself.
I loved learning about Bashō, the creator of haiku. And I loved learning, briefly, about the other forms of poetry that entertained and enriched Japan (and in which Basho himself participated).
I love the idea of a boozed-up social gathering in which friends would create a communal poem, each adding a bit in turn and attempting t...more
I loved learning about Bashō, the creator of haiku. And I loved learning, briefly, about the other forms of poetry that entertained and enriched Japan (and in which Basho himself participated).
I love the idea of a boozed-up social gathering in which friends would create a communal poem, each adding a bit in turn and attempting t...more
Jul 05, 2012
Lena
added it
I really liked this short introduction to Basho's poetry. When I started this book I really didn't know too much about haiku beyond what I remember from grade 6 english. Strangely the only thing I was taught about them was that they drew their imagery from nature and also that they had a very set form.
What I learned in this book is that haiku, al least according to Basho, had less to do with form, and everything to do with experiencing life moment to moment. Basho was renowned for his snapshot...more
What I learned in this book is that haiku, al least according to Basho, had less to do with form, and everything to do with experiencing life moment to moment. Basho was renowned for his snapshot...more
This little gem of a book is about a Japanese 17th century poet called Matsu Basho, author of The narrow Road to the Far North and other collections of haiku, mostly relating to travel, with his "windswept spirit." What would I give to be able to do as he did and leave behind such crystalline work!
spring leaving--...more
birds cry,
fishes' eyes fill with tears
growing old:
eating seaweed,
teeth hitting sand
dusk: bells quiet,
fragrance rings
night-struck from flowers
a cuckoo!
masters of haiku
vanish
On a leafless
A delightful book on the haiku genre and one of its major figures, Basho. I loved the way Hirshfield interweaves Basho's life story, poetry theory, connections to the audience, and poetry into a compelling story. I love the translations of the poetry, and the way Hirshfield sheds light on them without over-analyzing.
I also liked that this was a Kindle "Single"--it's a long essay, rather than a book, and only cost 99 cents (and you don't have to have a Kindle to read it). The length is perfect--...more
I also liked that this was a Kindle "Single"--it's a long essay, rather than a book, and only cost 99 cents (and you don't have to have a Kindle to read it). The length is perfect--...more
"To learn about the pine tree, go to the pine tree." --Basho
This essay is available for 99 cents to Kindle readers as part of Amazon's 'Kindle Singles" series. It is an excellent introduction to the life and work of the great Japanese haiku poet, Basho. Hirshfield provides a wonderful (although brief) collection of Basho's poems that she has translated with Mariko Aratani. Hirshfield is an adept and sympathetic reader of Basho's poems and provides a useful capsule biography that focuses on Basho...more
I found this book to be well written and useful. It lends good insight into the Haiku and its history.
"One magnet is the paradox of haiku's scale and speed. In the moment of haiku perception, something outer is seen, heard, tasted, felt, emplaced in a scene or context. That new perception then seeds and inner response beyond paraphrase, name, or any other form of containment.
Here is one such poem, seated in objective perception:
dusk: bells, quiet,
fragrance rings
night-struck from flowers
kan...more
"One magnet is the paradox of haiku's scale and speed. In the moment of haiku perception, something outer is seen, heard, tasted, felt, emplaced in a scene or context. That new perception then seeds and inner response beyond paraphrase, name, or any other form of containment.
Here is one such poem, seated in objective perception:
dusk: bells, quiet,
fragrance rings
night-struck from flowers
kan...more
I really didn't know what to expect, and was surprised how much I liked this little book. It paints a real picture of the time and the role of one pretty unusual man, Bashō, in evolving this form of poetry.
The book has a way of connecting the past to the present. Here the author is talking about "renga" writing in 17th century Japan:
"As with Dungeons and Dragons a few years ago, or Worlds of War and Second Life today, linked verse brought its practitioners into an interactive community that was...more
The book has a way of connecting the past to the present. Here the author is talking about "renga" writing in 17th century Japan:
"As with Dungeons and Dragons a few years ago, or Worlds of War and Second Life today, linked verse brought its practitioners into an interactive community that was...more
Despite being a Kindle Single rather than a full-length book, this is possibly the biggest 99 cent bargain in the Kindle store. Both a short, lyrical biography of Basho and a comprehensive selection of his haiku, The Heart of Haiku offers a glimpse into 17th century Japan: a place/time where writing poetry was actually valued, & could support a poet both emotionally & financially.
Hirshfield's writing is meditative & beautiful. I found myself making many notes & highlights in the...more
Hirshfield's writing is meditative & beautiful. I found myself making many notes & highlights in the...more
A nice little book on the great haiku poet Basho and his life. I appreciated the nice analyses of the depth present in the connotations, references, etc. of so few words. Just his poems indicate what a great guy he must have been. But it was nice to learn the circumstances of his life.
I'm afraid I found the transliteration of the Japanese of each quoted haiku a little bit pretentious. Maybe it is valuable for readers who know Japanese. I thought that, if the Japanese word or "flow" were necessa...more
I'm afraid I found the transliteration of the Japanese of each quoted haiku a little bit pretentious. Maybe it is valuable for readers who know Japanese. I thought that, if the Japanese word or "flow" were necessa...more
This essay was recommended by a friend, and I saved it until the semester was over and my brain began to clear. I'm glad I did so. It's a lovely piece--cogent and thorough and resonant. It made me want to deepen my knowledge of Basho, haiku, haibun, and sabi--the solitude (or loneliness) of art that I seek so often on my own.
I hope to share this essay with friends and students in the future. It's perfect for a general reader, but it's also appropriate for those of us who write, no matter what ou...more
I hope to share this essay with friends and students in the future. It's perfect for a general reader, but it's also appropriate for those of us who write, no matter what ou...more
The Heart of Haiku by Jane Hirshfield, which I first read about it on Beth Kephart’s blog, is lyrical, meandering, and informative not only about Haiku — the art, its origination, and its longevity — but also about one of the greatest poets, Bashō, who lived and breathed Haiku. Knowing very little about this Japanese poet from the 17th century doesn’t mean you don’t know him because as Hirshfield points out, he infuses every Haiku with his soul and experiences. Not only can readers live his mome...more
I got this as a Kindle single for 99 cents. Good thing is it was cheap. Bad thing is I can't lend it to my haiku/poetry loving friends. And I would be pestering them with "You've got to read this!" Ms Hirshfield tells the fascinating story of Master Basho and his reinvention of an art that has lasted 500 years.
For the seventeen syllable purists, of whom I was one, the Master himself said: "If you have three or four, even five or seven extra syllables but the poem still sounds good, don't worry...more
For the seventeen syllable purists, of whom I was one, the Master himself said: "If you have three or four, even five or seven extra syllables but the poem still sounds good, don't worry...more
A wonderful intro into the origin and prominent advocate of the Haiku.
Clouds come between friends
only briefly-
a wild goose migration.
On a leafless branch,
a crow's settling:
autumn nightfall.
The essence of a haiku is to find, in the face of the long familiar, something not yet said. Formal requirements of a haiku is to sound good. One needed worry if they have three or four, even five or seven extra syllables. Haiku reminds that a person should not become too fixed in a singular sense o...more
Clouds come between friends
only briefly-
a wild goose migration.
On a leafless branch,
a crow's settling:
autumn nightfall.
The essence of a haiku is to find, in the face of the long familiar, something not yet said. Formal requirements of a haiku is to sound good. One needed worry if they have three or four, even five or seven extra syllables. Haiku reminds that a person should not become too fixed in a singular sense o...more
An appropriately small but enthusiastic and thoughtful introduction to Basho's world and work. I knew nothing of Basho a couple of days ago, but now I think he may just become a fixture in my life. Jane Hirshfield uses Basho's poems to describe his life and his life to give context to his poems, and the prose was just poetic enough to put a smile on my face: wonderful writing. This book was a chance find while searching for something else: God bless serendipity! I'm off now to get to know both B...more
In this short work (one of those polished gems Amazon markets as a Kindle Single) the poet Jane Hirshfield celebrates the genius of the Haiku form in general, and the poetry of Japanese Zen poet Bash in particular. Her observations shine a light on Bashō's genius, but in true Zen Buddhist fashion, she doesn't get in the way of the poet and his work; she let's us learn from Bashō by experiencing Bashō:
"In his poems and in his teaching of other poets, Bashō set forth a simple, deeply useful remind...more
"In his poems and in his teaching of other poets, Bashō set forth a simple, deeply useful remind...more
With the risk of coming across as too pedantic, one of my minor peeves has been that what many of the so-called Haikus should be called Senryus, in particular if they do not contain a seasonal word (Kigo) within the verse. I know that more modern interpretation of a haiku does not make it sine qua non, but I guess I am old school. This book is a nice succinct summary of the life and the works of Matsuo Basho and explains clearly what the spirit of a Haiku was as intended by the father of Haiku.
The Heart of Haiku – Jane Hirshfield
kindle single
4 stars
This long essay was my first experience of a ‘kindle single’. It is a highly readable biography of the 17th century Japanese poet, Basho and an introduction to his influence on haiku as an art form. I already knew and appreciated Jane Hirshfield as a poet. Now, I look forward to reading more of her collections. If this is any indication of the quality of kindle singles, I will be looking for more of them.
kindle single
4 stars
This long essay was my first experience of a ‘kindle single’. It is a highly readable biography of the 17th century Japanese poet, Basho and an introduction to his influence on haiku as an art form. I already knew and appreciated Jane Hirshfield as a poet. Now, I look forward to reading more of her collections. If this is any indication of the quality of kindle singles, I will be looking for more of them.
Fairly brilliant piece of work, this following the poet's path via his poetry.
Lots of insights revealed, an effortless read.
Particularly liked the inclusion of the actual haiku (in romaji form, though would have liked to have [struggled with] the kana (though I suspect the language has changed enough in 400 years or so that the nuance would be a wash anyway)).
Loved this quote (of a quote): “Do not follow the ancient masters, seek what they sought.”
Lots of insights revealed, an effortless read.
Particularly liked the inclusion of the actual haiku (in romaji form, though would have liked to have [struggled with] the kana (though I suspect the language has changed enough in 400 years or so that the nuance would be a wash anyway)).
Loved this quote (of a quote): “Do not follow the ancient masters, seek what they sought.”
This book changed by life.
The author discusses the great Haiku poet Basho.
One of the most awesome things that this poet believed is that, it isn't the actually BOOK that is important.
It is the journey of writing the book, that's what authors should enjoy, the whole process of creating the story.
So. . .
that changed my freaking life!
I actually write faster for some reason because I'm not worried about profits or reviews or bestsellers' lists or rankings.
I'm just enjoying the journey and spread...more
The author discusses the great Haiku poet Basho.
One of the most awesome things that this poet believed is that, it isn't the actually BOOK that is important.
It is the journey of writing the book, that's what authors should enjoy, the whole process of creating the story.
So. . .
that changed my freaking life!
I actually write faster for some reason because I'm not worried about profits or reviews or bestsellers' lists or rankings.
I'm just enjoying the journey and spread...more
This little thing was like an espresso shot to my spirituality and creativity. Got me interested in learning about haiku and seeing how it can affect my process. Basho was an inspiration. Taking his name from a basho tree, which had leaves that served no real function, but he loved nonetheless helped me to understand some things are beautiful just because they are. Some things are loved just because we love them, not necessarily because of their function.
I came to know about the great haiku poet Basho when I was searching Google to learn about haiku. This book is the first one I read about haiku and, I am no position to clearly claim that I have read this. Don't get me wrong, this book is like a friend. You will speak to it often and consult when there is a need. So with that being said, this book, paved me the way to deepen my search on Haiku and read more Basho's works.
A short interesting read on the life and work of 17th century poet Basho. It really brought out the complexities of this form of poetry and the complexities of the poet himself. I read this mostly through a sleepless night on the train home and there was something heartbreaking about it. Maybe it was the story of the poet or his haikus or the the sound of the train. It has me pondering.
Very accessible, informative introduction to an important Japanese poet. I enjoyed this very much and the topic was perfect for the "single" format. The translated (and transliterated) haiku were the highlight of the book while illuminating, punctuating, decorating and motivating the prose. Recommended for anyone who loves poetry.
This book consists of three main components. The first is the basics of Haiku, Haiku is a Japanese poem made of three verse the first is five syllables long the second seven and the third again five. The second the works of a poet who took the name Bashō and possibly some others. The third is the story of Bashōs life.
My first Kindle Single and second mini-ebook (after HOW A BOOK IS BORN).
This is exactly what you'd want out of this format: more in-depth than a magazine article but still a quick read.
I found out just enough about Basho and haiku to whet my appetite but also leave me satisfied and ready to move on to something else.
This is exactly what you'd want out of this format: more in-depth than a magazine article but still a quick read.
I found out just enough about Basho and haiku to whet my appetite but also leave me satisfied and ready to move on to something else.
This is an amazing book... I read it on my Android! It is the perfect companion on every journey. I go back to it constantly for knowledge and inspiration. Highly recommended. Beautiful... I feel life and my haiku deepen every time I read.
I think any writer could benefit from the knowledge presented in this material. Basho's ability to turn the mundane into the splendid is emphasized again, and again.
A delightful and very informative essay about haiku and one of its great practitioners, Basho. The author is an accomplished poet in her own right, which adds immeasurably to her analysis of Basho's work.
Beautiful poetry, and an illuminating essay about the life of the Japanese poet who gave us the haiku's.
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Jane Hirshfield is the author of seven collections of poetry, including Come Thief (Knopf, August 23, 2011), After (HarperCollins, 2006), which was named a “Best Book of 2006” by The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, and England’s Financial Times and shortlisted for England’s T.S. Eliot Award; and Given Sugar, Given Salt (finalist for the 2001 National Book Critics Circle Award); as we...more
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Oct 03, 2011 07:47am