間 Ma
The masters

Haiku of the Japanese masters, season by season.

75 poems by 24 poets, each with its English translation, its rōmaji reading, the Japanese original, and where it comes from. In Read they come one at a time.

New this autumn

20 poems

Poets

24 poets
Read spring

Spring Blossoms · 桜 sakura

21 poems
An ancient pond! With a sound from the water Of the frog as it plunges in.

Matsuo Bashō

furu ike ya · kawazu tobikomu · mizu no oto

Composed 1686; trans. W. G. Aston, A History of Japanese Literature (1899), p. 295

Perched upon the temple-bell, the butterfly sleeps:

Yosa Buson

tsurigane ni · tomarite nemuru · kochō kana

Trans. Lafcadio Hearn, Kwaidan (1904), p. 188; Hearn does not name the poet; lines re-broken

A cloud of flowers! Is the bell Uyeno Or Asakusa?

Matsuo Bashō

hana no kumo · kane wa Ueno ka · Asakusa ka

Trans. W. G. Aston, A History of Japanese Literature (1899), p. 294

I come weary, In search of an inn— Ah! these wistaria flowers!

Matsuo Bashō

kutabirete · yado karu koro ya · fuji no hana

Trans. W. G. Aston, A History of Japanese Literature (1899), p. 295

Coming this mountain way, no herb Is lovelier than the violet.

Matsuo Bashō

yamaji kite · nani yara yukashi · sumire-gusa

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 319; lines re-broken

Awake! awake! I’ll make of thee My comrade, sleeping butterfly.

Matsuo Bashō

okiyo okiyo · waga tomo ni sen · nuru kochō

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 320; lines re-broken

[Slowly] it mildens, as the plum [Ventureth forth,] blossom by blossom.

Hattori Ransetsu

ume ichirin · ichirin hodo no · atatakasa

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 328; lines re-broken

No friends, oh! let me meet no friends When I am gazing at the flowers!

Mukai Kyorai

shiru hito ni · awaji awaji to · hanami kana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 330; lines re-broken

After I’ve swept and tidied up, Adown fall some camellias.

Shida Yaba

haki-sōji · shite kara tsubaki · chiri ni keri

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 335; lines re-broken

Oh! how its young ones must be waiting,— For all too high ascends the lark!

Sugiyama Sanpū

ko ya matan · amari hibari no · taka-agari

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 338; lines re-broken

Oh! distant past, made up of slow But ever accumulating days!

Yosa Buson

osoki hi no · tsumorite tōki · mukashi kana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 350; lines re-broken

The kite flies in the self-same spot Of sky where yesterday it flew.

Yosa Buson

ikanobori · kinō no sora no · aridokoro

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 351; lines re-broken

A show’r in spring, where an umbrella And rain-coat walk along conversing.

Yosa Buson

harusame ya · monogatari yuku · mino to kasa

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 351; lines re-broken

Done is the long spring day, wherein The nightingale did sing afar.

Yosa Buson

uguisu no · koe tōki hi mo · kure ni keri

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 351; lines re-broken

Coming to see the flow’rs, I sleep Beneath the flowers, being free.

Yosa Buson

hana ni kite · hana ni ineburu · itoma kana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 353; lines re-broken

The night of the Spring,— Oh, between the eve And the dawn.

Yosa Buson

haru no yo ya · yoi akebono no · sono naka ni

Trans. Yone Noguchi, The Spirit of Japanese Poetry (1914), p. 48

You little sparrows left without A mother, come and play with me.

Kobayashi Issa

ware to kite · asobe ya oya no · nai suzume

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 357; lines re-broken

O frog, so skinny and thin, Fight on, and don’t give in— Issa is here!

Kobayashi Issa

yase-gaeru · makeru na Issa · kore ni ari

Trans. Curtis Hidden Page, Japanese Poetry (1923), p. 139

The nightingale and, at the gate, The unexpected bean-curd vendor.

Shida Yaba

uguisu ya · kado wa tamatama · tōfu-uri

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 336; lines re-broken

The nightingale and—dinner-time, With the whole family assembled.

Yosa Buson

uguisu ya · kanai sorōte · meshi-jibun

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 350; lines re-broken

A sabre! what has such to do On one who comes to view the flowers?

Mukai Kyorai

nanigoto zo · hana miru hito no · naga-gatana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 330; lines re-broken

Read summer

Summer Fireflies · 蛍 hotaru

17 poems
A summer room where, lying down, I see the clouds as they go past.

Shida Yaba

yuku kumo o · nete ite miru ya · natsu-zashiki

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 336; lines re-broken

’Tis evening, and in serried file Stand the bare pinnacles of cloud.

Mukai Kyorai

yūgure ya · hage narabitaru · kumo no mine

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 331; lines re-broken

The cry of the cicada Gives no sign That presently it will die.

Matsuo Bashō

yagate shinu · keshiki wa miezu · semi no koe

Trans. W. G. Aston, A History of Japanese Literature (1899), p. 295

Athwart the surface of the stream There lieth stretched the cuckoo’s voice.

Matsuo Bashō

hototogisu · koe ya yokotau · mizu no ue

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 324; lines re-broken

Over the summer moor,— our guide One shouldering fodder for his horse.

Matsuo Bashō

magusa ou · hito o shiori no · natsu-no kana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 246; lines re-broken

She wraps up rice-cakes, while one hand Restrains the hair upon her brow.

Matsuo Bashō

chimaki yū · katate ni hasamu · hitai-gami

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 247; lines re-broken

Haply the summer grasses are A relic of the warriors’ dream.

Matsuo Bashō

natsu-gusa ya · tsuwamono-domo ga · yume no ato

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 305; lines re-broken

Ah, how sublime— The green leaves, the young leaves, In the light of the sun!

Matsuo Bashō

ara tōto · aoba wakaba no · hi no hikari

Trans. Yone Noguchi, The Spirit of Japanese Poetry (1914), p. 118

Oh, how cool— The sound of the bell That leaves the bell itself.

Yosa Buson

suzushisa ya · kane o hanaruru · kane no koe

Trans. Yone Noguchi, The Spirit of Japanese Poetry (1914), p. 47

My razor, in a single night, Is rusted by the rains of June.

Nozawa Bonchō

kamisori ya · ichiya ni sabite · samidare

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 339; Chamberlain names the poet “Hanchō”; lines re-broken

I’ll take some barley straw and make A house for you, little green frog!

Kawai Chigetsu

mugiwara no · ie shite yaran · amagaeru

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 340; lines re-broken

Such heat that, when the child I bear Upon my back plays with my hair,......

Shiba Sonome

ōta ko ni · kami naburaruru · atsusa kana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 344; lines re-broken

The dream I dreamt has faded, but The iris keeps its colours yet.

Ōme Shūshiki

mishi yume no · samete mo iro no · kakitsubata

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 344; lines re-broken

Is it the river only?— or is the darkness itself drifting? . . . Oh, the fireflies! . . .

Fukuda Chiyo-ni

kawa bakari · yami wa nagarete · hotaru kana

Trans. Lafcadio Hearn, Kottō (1902), p. 144; lines re-broken

Cuckoo! Again cuckoo! Again the daylight too!

Fukuda Chiyo-ni

hototogisu · hototogisu tote · ake ni keri

Trans. Curtis Hidden Page, Japanese Poetry (1923), p. 135; traditionally attributed

A show’r, and skill of every sort In things to put upon the head.

Nakagawa Otsuyū

yūdachi ya · chie sama-zama no · kaburi-mono

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 341; lines re-broken

How cool the air! and through a shower The radiance of the setting sun.

Mukai Kyorai

suzushisa yo · yūdachi nagara · irihi-kage

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 245; Chamberlain does not name the poet; lines re-broken

Read autumn

Autumn Leaves · 紅葉 momiji

19 poems
On a withered branch A crow is sitting This autumn eve.

Matsuo Bashō

kare eda ni · karasu no tomarikeri · aki no kure

Composed c.1680; trans. W. G. Aston, A History of Japanese Literature (1899), p. 295

A rough sea, and the Milky Way Stretching across to Sado’s isle.

Matsuo Bashō

araumi ya · Sado ni yokotau · ama no gawa

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 322; lines re-broken

Oh! the moon-gazing where some clouds From time to time repose the eye!

Matsuo Bashō

kumo oriori · hito o yasumeru · tsukimi kana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 323; lines re-broken

Ah! the waving lespedeza, Which spills not a drop Of the clear dew!

Matsuo Bashō

shiratsuyu mo · kobosanu hagi no · uneri kana

Trans. W. G. Aston, A History of Japanese Literature (1899), p. 295

Of Miïdera The gate I would knock at— The moon of to-day.

Matsuo Bashō

Miidera no · mon tatakabaya · kyō no tsuki

Trans. W. G. Aston, A History of Japanese Literature (1899), p. 295

A stem of grass, whereon in vain A dragon-fly essayed to light!

Matsuo Bashō

tonbō ya · toritsuki kaneshi · kusa no ue

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 309; lines re-broken

Granted this dewdrop world is but A dewdrop world,— this granted, yet.......

Kobayashi Issa

tsuyu no yo wa · tsuyu no yo nagara · sari nagara

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 298; lines re-broken

The well-bucket taken away By the morning-glory— Alas, water to beg!

Fukuda Chiyo-ni

asagao ni · tsurube torarete · morai-mizu

Trans. Yone Noguchi, The Spirit of Japanese Poetry (1914), p. 50; Noguchi does not name the poet

A hundred tendrils, yea! and all From the same vine that is their heart.

Fukuda Chiyo-ni

hyakunari ya · tsuru hitosuji no · kokoro yori

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 348; lines re-broken

The persimmon, lo! No one can tell till he tastes it! Marriage is even so.

Fukuda Chiyo-ni

shibukaro ka · shiranedo kaki no · hatsu-chigiri

Trans. Curtis Hidden Page, Japanese Poetry (1923), p. 135; traditionally attributed

The wild-geese in the firmament,— These are Dutch letters sideways stretching.

Nishiyama Sōin

Oranda no · moji ka yokotau · amatsu kari

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 316; lines re-broken

For all men ’Tis the seed of siesta— The autumn moon.

Matsunaga Teitoku

mina hito no · hirune no tane ya · aki no tsuki

Trans. W. G. Aston, A History of Japanese Literature (1899), p. 290

A leaf whirls down whirls down, alackaday! A leaf whirls down upon the breeze.

Hattori Ransetsu

hito-ha chiru · totsu hito-ha chiru · kaze no ue

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 245; Chamberlain does not name the poet; lines re-broken

Yellow chrysanthemums, white chrysanthemums;— Would there were no more names than these!

Hattori Ransetsu

kigiku shiragiku · sono hoka no na wa · naku mo gana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 329; lines re-broken

Autumn’s full moon; Lo, the shadows of a pine tree Upon the mats!

Takarai Kikaku

meigetsu ya · tatami no ue ni · matsu no kage

Trans. Yone Noguchi, The Spirit of Japanese Poetry (1914), p. 118

In autumn a cicada dead Beside the shell that it cast off.

Naitō Jōsō

nukegara ni · narabite shinuru · aki no semi

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 333; lines re-broken

A brilliant moon! there was no marge Betwixt it and the dawn of day.

Ochi Etsujin

meigetsu wa · yo akuru kiwa mo · nakari keri

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 337; lines re-broken

Without a word of warning, there, In th’ autumn sky, Mount Fuji stands.

Uejima Onitsura

nyoppori to · aki no sora naru · Fuji no yama

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 345–346; lines re-broken

Oh! moon, if born again, I’d be A pine-tree on a mountain peak.

Ōshima Ryōta

meigetsu ya · umare kawaraba · mine no matsu

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 354; lines re-broken

Read winter

Winter Snow · 雪 yuki

18 poems
What haste! a shower in the offing, And sails set straight, and sails set slant.

Mukai Kyorai

isogashi ya · oki no shigure no · maho kataho

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 331; lines re-broken

How distant on the fallen leaves His footstep sounds for whom I wait!

Yosa Buson

machibito no · ashioto tōki · ochiba kana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 352; lines re-broken

Behold the leaf that sinks and clings Below the water to a rock!

Naitō Jōsō

minasoko no · iwa ni ochitsuku · ko no ha kana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 333; lines re-broken

Some water-fowl, and in the midst Of withered trees two palanquins.

Yosa Buson

mizutori ya · kareki no naka ni · kago nichō

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 352; lines re-broken

Nothing remaineth; for the snow Hath blotted out both moor and hill.

Naitō Jōsō

no mo yama mo · yuki ni torarete · nani mo nashi

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 332; lines re-broken

A single river, stretching far Across the moorland swathed in snow.

Nozawa Bonchō

naganaga to · kawa hitosuji ya · yuki no hara

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 306; Chamberlain does not name the poet; lines re-broken

A snowy morning,— everywhere The figure “2” left by the clogs.

Den Sute-jo

yuki no asa · ni no ji ni no ji no · geta no ato

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 318; attribution doubted by some; lines re-broken

The year has closed while still I wear My sandals and my pilgrim’s hat.

Matsuo Bashō

toshi kurenu · kasa kite waraji · haki nagara

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 319; lines re-broken

Ta’en ill while journeying, I dreamt I wandered o’er a withered moor.

Matsuo Bashō

tabi ni yande · yume wa kareno o · kakemeguru

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 289; lines re-broken

A man who is disliked, and who Lives to old age,— a winter fly.

Takarai Kikaku

nikumarete · nagarauru hito · fuyu no hae

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 327; lines re-broken

How many may be hurrying through The drizzle on the Bridge of Seta?

Naitō Jōsō

ikutari ka · shigure kakenuku · Seta no hashi

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 332; lines re-broken

Moonlight in winter, and I draw My neck within my comforter.

Sugiyama Sanpū

erimaki ni · kubi hiki-irete · fuyu no tsuki

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 337–338; lines re-broken

Alas! the withered moor, whereon My figure, too, looks pitiful.

Kawai Chigetsu

waga nari mo · aware ni miyuru · kareno kana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 339; lines re-broken

Poison-fish soup last night, yet lo! I wake to find myself alive.

Yosa Buson

fuku-jiru no · ware ikite iru · nezame kana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 352; lines re-broken

Ash-smothered coals and, at long last, The gruel simmering in the pot.

Yosa Buson

uzumibi ya · tsui ni wa niyuru · nabe no mono

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 351; lines re-broken

To ice all crimson red has frozen The rime upon the buckwheat stems.

Takakuwa Rankō

aka-aka to · shimo kōri keri · soba no kuki

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 355; lines re-broken

I’ve seen the bogie’s veritable Shape:— it’s merely withered grass.

Yokoi Yayū

bakemono no · shōtai mitari · kare-obana

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 349; lines re-broken

A troop of sea-gulls, and a gust Off shore that breaks their whirling flight.

Kawai Sora

urakaze ya · tomoe o kuzusu · mura-chidori

Trans. B. H. Chamberlain, Bashō and the Japanese Poetical Epigram (1902), p. 246; Chamberlain does not name the poet; lines re-broken

Leave a word