Great book of haiku by the master (or perhaps the originator) of the form, Basho.

In lieu of a review, here are some of my favorites:

-The first winter rain,
And my name shall be called
"Traveller." (47)

-Winter desolation;
In a world of one color
The sound of the wind. (57)

-The Way of Haiku arises from concentration and lack of distraction.
Look well within yourself. (70)

-I do not seek to follow in the f More...

I read some of Basho's work in a collection of Japanese poetry recently (the title is escaping me--surprise) and I was hooked. There are glimpses here of the writing that enchanted me, but I'm afraid this is an inferior translation. The editing also left me cold (the poetry seemed to be chosen to go with the not-so-great photographs rather than the other way around). It looks and feels like what it is, an edition from 1970. However, there are good moments, and enough to make me want to read More...