Classic Haiku: An Anthology of Poems by Basho and His Followers

by Matsuo Bashō, Asataro Miyamori (Editor)

With the utmost economy and skill, the haiku poet paints a vast mural on a narrow canvas. Working within the strict 17-syllable limits of the traditional Japanese form, Matsuo Basho (1644–1694) and other masters evoke elements of the natural world to conjure up timeless moods and emotions. This volume features dozens of Basho's poems as well as works by his predecessors and ten of his disciples — Kikaku, Ransetsu, Joso, and Kyoroku among them. Intended principally for readers with no knowledge of Japanese literature, this treasury includes the original Japanese text, a transliteration, and English translations for each verse; most poems also include a brief explication.

Genres: Poetry

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Known Japanese poet Matsuo Basho composed haiku, infused with the spirit of Zen.

The renowned Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉) during his lifetime of the period of Edo worked in the collaborative haikai no renga form; people today recognize this most famous brief and clear master.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsuo_...

Reviews

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable collection, but counterintuitively, diff translation versions of each poem drew away the impact/precision of poems. basho is a funny haiku master. i dig him!

[Lynsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably more like a 2.5, but I'm rounding up. Could have done with less annotating, but otherwise an enjoyable read.

[Isabel (kittiwake) · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a long introduction about the history of Japanese poetry and the life of the haiku master Basho, followed by three sections on the haikus of Basho’s predecessors, Basho himself, and his ten most talented disciples.

The author provides an English translation of each haiku, often followed by other translator’s versions in English and even French. His opinions on both the haikus themselves and the translations can be withering.

The last line “Until it rings!” which was never intended by the poet, spoils the poem, nay, utterly destroys it.

It is hardly necessary to say that Porter’s translation is entirely beside the mark.

A fanciful idea. The verse is not of high quality.

This verse, although vary famous, seems to be of little value.

[Matt Miles]

I usually enjoy Haiku, regardless of the quality of the translation, but the translator was way too intrusive. I couldn’t do it.