by Issa, 1820
he had lost already two children.
David’s commment
This haiku has the prescript, "The crane's inscription." Cranes were famous for their fantastic longevity. This haiku offers a crane's-eye perspective that spans thousands of ages. Pulling up a young pine tree on the first day of Rat is a custom that originated in China. Shinji Ogawa explains that its purpose was to bring good luck or longevity. Samisu is an old verb with the modern equivalent, anadoru: to despise, to hold in contempt; Kogo dai jiten (Shogakukan 1983) 719.
he had lost already two children.
David’s commment
This haiku has the prescript, "The crane's inscription." Cranes were famous for their fantastic longevity. This haiku offers a crane's-eye perspective that spans thousands of ages. Pulling up a young pine tree on the first day of Rat is a custom that originated in China. Shinji Ogawa explains that its purpose was to bring good luck or longevity. Samisu is an old verb with the modern equivalent, anadoru: to despise, to hold in contempt; Kogo dai jiten (Shogakukan 1983) 719.
2 comments:
I am very pleased to find your website. Issa is my favorite poet. Do you know where I can find one of his haiku written in japanese? I have a favorite, and I would like to have it the original written language.
-Christopher
Thank you Christopher san for your comment.
Original Issa,
人の引小松の千代やさみすらん
hito no hiku komatsu no chiyo ya samisuran.
You can see the original by clicking the picture. Then the image will be enlarged.
sakuo.
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