how nice feeling, on Buddha's lap !

the stray cat


David English
the stray catmakes Buddha's lapits pillow

-Issa, 1812
50 years old, lived in Edo, leaving out on November tohis home village for dwelling eternally there.It needs more two year to getting his share of father's asset.

sakuo Japanese
迷い猫　仏の膝を　枕かな
mayoi neko hotoke no hiza wo makura kana

Issa　Original
のら猫が仏のひざを枕哉
nora neko ga hotoke no hiza wo makura kana

Issa site

sakuo image
Stray cat is Issa, who has been straying in Edo for long time. At this time he could have hope to return home village. So he has got peace in his mind.

mushy persimmon, old man group !

regretfully


David English
regretfully I've joined them--the mushy persimmon eaters

-Issa, 1816
53 years old, a year before, after getting father's asset, married with Kiku.
He decided to settle down in the home village and went around Bousyu district for the greeting of farewell. as well as he published memorial book as retirement.

sakuo Japanese
無念なり　我加わりし　熟柿食い
munen nari ware kuwawari si jyukusi kui

Issa　Original
くやしくも熟柿仲間の座につきぬ
kuyashiku mo jukushi nakama no za ni tsukinu

David Comment
This haiku has the prescript, "Feeling old."
Makoto Ueda explains Issa's meaning. In earlier years, the poet had enough teeth to bite into a ripe persimmon. Now, sadly, he must wait until it turns soft to eat it, Issa has "taken a seat" (za ni tsukinu) among the eaters of mushy persimmons.

sakuo said
Mr Issa , look your face , painted with mushy persimmon !
Oh sakuo, losing my teeth I must get into old man group!

Issa site

coming out, it's great honour

coming out


David English
coming out to a hot world, earthworm's prosperity

-Issa, 1821
59 years old. on January his second son died on his mother's back. On April his wife got sick of gout . At Zenkou-ji , the biggest Temple of Jyoudo Buddhist, his haiku board was displayed. His effort has been admitted in the area of north Sinano province.

sakuo Japanese
暑い世界へ出るがミミズの栄誉かな
atui sekai he deru ga mimizu no eiyo kana

Issa Original
暑い世へ出るが蚯蚓の栄よう哉
atsui yo e deru ga mimizu [no] eyô kana

sakuo Image
I presume that [ eyou] means [栄誉= great honour].　Issa is getting famous as haikuist, it is bother him to some extend, he want to hide in the earth where is calmly and easy, but world didn't allow him to stay under the ground, he gave up and he said to himself that earthworm- yo, issa-yo get out to the world ,it is your great honour.

Issa site

Large morning mirrored in a little tea cup

filled with floating


David English
filled with floating morning-glories...the tea cup

-Issa, 1821
59 years old. on January his second son died on his mother's back. On April his wife got sick of gout . At Zenkou-ji , the biggest Temple of Jyoudo Buddhist, his haiku board was displayed. His effort has been admitted in the area of north Sinano province.

sakuo Japanese
朝顔の浮きて満ちたる　茶碗かな
asagao no ukite mititaru tyawan kana

Issa Original
朝顔を一ぱい浮す茶碗哉
asagao wo ippai ukasu chawan kana

sakuo Image
A tea cup is put on the table of morning breakfast. On the surface of the tea morning glories are mirrored Issa succeeded to catch large morning atmosphere in a little tea cup.

Issa site

sickle moon clouded , I vanish my severity too

sickle moon


David English
the sickle moonall clouded over...when I go out

-Issa, 1813
５１ years old, On January the thirteen memorial party of his father's death , the negotiation of father's asset has finished. Many times he visited haiku friend in North Sinano. On June and July he was ill in bed for blotch .

sakuo Japanese
三日月　曇りきったり　(われ）出でし時
mike no tuki kumori kittu tari (ware) idesi toki

Issa　Original
三ケの月かすまんとして入にけり
mika no tsuki kasuman to shite iri ni keri

David Comment
Issa has waited too late to go out moon-gazing.The moon is a "three-day moon"...just a sliver.

sakuo Comment
[kasu man] means [ I want to mist myself] . [hairikeri] is [ he entered into something]. I think that the something is mist or cloud or mountain.
The moon wants to vanish away before other's eyes.It is no use to define [what is the something]
In this haiku, Issa want to say that I will vanish my severity and become mild.

sakuo English
the sickle moon want to mist get into

">Issa site

showered all at once

plowing


David English
plowing the field in a shower of mountain cherry blossoms

-Issa, 1814
52 years old, The settlement of father's asset has been decided, he got his share.marred with Kiku. On August went to Edo for preparation of retirement.

sakuo Japanese
耕すや　夕立のごと　山桜
tagayasu ya yuudati no goto　yama-zakura

Issa　Original
畠打やざぶりと浴る山桜
hata utsu ya zaburi to abiru yamazakura.

sakuo's Key point
[zaburi to] is echo-word . It is refered to water. [ zaburi to] means [ a lot of ... at once ] So I image such scene that Issa is plowing under the cherry blossom. When he pass the tree,strong wind suddenly blow ,and a lot of the pedals fell on him all at once.And he feel [ zaburi to abita]

sakuo English
plowing field-- showered all at once mountain cherry blossoms

Issa site

Toward autumn wind a cock crows

autumn wind


David English
autumn wind--a cock-a-doodling roosteron the roof

-Issa, 1816
53 years old, a year before, after getting father's asset, married with Kiku.He decided to settle down in the home village and went around Bousyu district for the greeting of farewell. as well as he published memorial book of retirement.

sakuo Japanese
秋風や　雄鶏の鳴く　屋根の上
akikaze ya ondori no　naku yane no ue

Issa　Original
秋風や鶏なく家のてっぺんに
aki kaze ya tori naku ie no teppen

sakuo Comment
What Issa did feel at the time ? He felt hisself at high tension .He wish to climb up on his roof.So Time is Autumn and bird is not hen but cock.[teppen] has strong sound.
Issa would wish to blow trumpet on the top of the roof of his house.

sakuo English haiku
autumn wind--a cock crows on the top of house

Issa site

pitty insect, tiger moth !

tiger moth


David English
don't strikesunset's bell...tiger moth

-Issa, 1820
58 years old, on October second son born. fall over and was smitten by palsy ,but lightly. wrote haiku literatures.

sakuo Japanese
やれ　打つな　夕暮れの鐘　火とり虫
yare utu na yugure no kane hitorimusi

Issa Original
入相のかね撞かねて火とり虫
iriai no kane tsuki kanete hitorimushi

sakuo said
In my native village, old folks said to kid "don't kill spider in evening"
I didn't hear about tiger moth , but it is pity insect

Issa site

Rain or Shine, I trust Budha

umbrella-hats


David English
umbrella-hatssun hats...trust in Buddha!

-Issa, 1811
49 years old, he lost his last teeth. Next year he will return toKasihabara. He has gotten the upper class in the haikuist ranking of Japan.

sakuo Japanese
雨笠や　日笠や　仏信じけり
amagasa ya higasa ya hotoke sinjikeri

Issa Original
雨笠も日笠もあなた任せ哉
ama-gasa mo higasa mo anata makase kana

David Comment
The phrase anata makase ("trust in the Beyond!") refers specifically to trusting in the saving power of Amida Buddha. "Umbrella-hats" (ama-gasa) and "parasols" (higasa) protect from rain and sun, respectively. Issa's meaning seems to be: Rain or shine, the best course is to trust in Buddha!

sakuo Image
Rain or shine, I trust Buddha on every thing　!

Issa site

Issa's secret pride in this haiku

ashamed


David English
ashamed--I present myself to Edoa year older

-Issa, 1819
57 years old. wrote [ oraga haru-- my spring ]. On June first daughter died.

sakuo Japanese
恥ずかしや　江戸へ来たのは　一年前
hazukasi ya edo he kita noha itinen mae

Issa　Original
はづかしや罷出て取江戸の年
hazukashi ya makari dete toru edo no toshi

sakuo Impression
I think when he wrote Oragaharu( My Spring ) , his energy peaked at the tope in his life.So he was sure to have self-respect in his haiku creation.
In this haiku he said that he is ashamed to come to Edo and live in there, but he didn't think so. In Edo he have been accepted high evaluation in the field of haiku . I could see his secret pride as haikuist in this haiku .

Issa site

I do my best in any way.

in the short night


David English
in the short nightthe dew works fast...leaves of grass

-Issa, 1816
53 years old, a year before, after getting father's asset, married with Kiku.He decided to settle down in the home village and went around Bousyu district for the greeting of farewell. as well as he published memorial book as retirement.

sakuo Japanese
短夜に　露の早くや　草葉かな
mijika yo ni tuyu no hayaku ya kusa ba kana

Issa Original
短夜をさっさと露の草ば哉
mijika yo wo sassa to tsuyu no kusa-ba kana

sakuo　Impression
What does Issa want to say by [ sassa ]that means [quickly] as well as
[ I go by keeping my own pace ] I feel that Issa want to say, how my surroundings would change, I will go my way . I have got father's asset and got married.I am busy, I have no time, I must do my best in any way.

Issa　site

10 more rice bags could be expected !!

back and forth


David English
back and forth the distant storm is appraised

-Issa, 1816
53 years old, a year before, after getting father's asset, married with Kiku.He decided to settle down in the home village and went around Bousyu district for the greeting of farewell. as well as he published memorial book as retirement.

sakuo Japanese
後ろ前　遠い嵐の　値踏みされ
usiro　mae tooi arasi no mebumi sare

Issa Original
てんでんに遠夕立の目利哉
ten-den ni tô yûdachi no mekiki kana

sakuo Comment
The farmers in rice field were watching the storm. They said if the storm
come here, I will get ten　more bags of rice in this Autumn.

Issa site

survive a radish, even fall of winter rain.

rainy winter night


David English
rainy winter night--only one radish remains

-Issa, 1803
41 years old , living in Edo. 1801 his father has died. Asset problemhas started that has continued for eleven years. Visiting around Bousou. Getting acquaintance with Mr Akimoto, who was a rich brewery owner.

sakuo Japanese
氷雨の夜　大根一本　残しけり
hisame no yo daikon ittupon nokori keri

Issa Original
時雨よと一本残す大根哉
shigure yo to ippon nokosu daikon kana

sakuo image　
I feel strong will of Issa for reserving radish.
Even if cold winter rain fall, I will keep this radish for it's surviving.
Issa would think as above at this time when he had asset trouble.

Issa site

standing tall


David English
standing tall in the spring rain...nettle tree

-Issa, 1804
42 years old, live in Edo, getting new haiku friends of Natume's group.And Mr Nakamura and other haiku friend had come to Edo from Kasihabara, his home village.

sakuo Japanese
背伸びする　春雨の中　榎木かな
senobi suru harusame ni enoki kana

Issa Original
春風の中に立たる榎哉
harusame no naka ni tachitaru enoki kana

sakuo Comment
Nettle tree often has grown to large size. People don't like the tree because it bring a lot of leaves in Autumn .I have seen the tree at the front of Issa's house. So I pain this haiga from my sketch in Kasihabara.

Issa site

Longing for his home

one what day


David English
one what daywill you pass my village?geese flying north

-Issa, 1818
56 years old, stay in Sinano. first daughter was born on May.

sakuo Japanese
何時の日や　我が村通る　帰える雁
itunohi ya waga mura touru kaeru kari

Issa 　Original
我村はいく日に通る帰る雁
waga mura wa iku hi ni tôru kaeru kari

sakuo Comment
Where did he make this haiku. I think it was on his way of haiku traveling. He was longing for his home.

Issa site

Mr, Toad it's your turn Sir !

Mr, Toad


David English
Mr. Toad--the fifth month rainshave begun!

-Issa, 1812
50 years old, lived in Edo, leaving out on November tohis home village for dwelling eternally there.

sakuo Japanese
がま殿や　五月雨すでに　降り始め
gama dono ya samidare sudeni furi hajime

Issa Original
蟾どののはつ五月雨よ五月雨よ
hiki dono no hatsu samidare yo samidare yo

sakuo impression
Toad　likes the humid corner where mold grows. He likes the season of rain that is May rain in old lunar calendar. Issa called a toad with Mr that is respectable saying but he would josh the toad with some affection.

Issa site

Some one has come ?

snowshoes


David English
snowshoes--in front of the hutprint after print

-Issa, 1820
58 years old, on October second son born. fall over and was smitten by palsy ,but lightly. wrote haiku literatures.

sakuo Japanese
雪靴や　庵の手前に　跡と跡
yuki gutu ya iho no temae ni ato　ｔｏ ato

Issa　Original
かんじきや庵の前をふみ序
kanjiki ya iori no mae wo fumi-tsuide

sakuo image
Some one has come to my house. Without getting in,did he come back ?

Issa site

Oh, damn! honeybees

honybees


David English
honeybees--but right next doorhornets

-Issa, 1824
62 years old, married second wife on May, soon divorced on August. lost ability of speaking by paralysis. recovered and moved around on a carriage.

sakuo Japanese
蜜蜂や　すぐ横っちょに　雀蜂
mitubati ya sugu yokottutyo ni suzume bati

Issa Original
みつ蜂や隣に借せばあばれ蜂
mitsu-bachi ya tonari ni kaseba arare-bachi

sakuo Comment
I think this haiku conveys human relation between he and his relative.Issa lent honeybees box to the house next door that is his half brother'shouse. Time to time the bees come over to Issa's garden and stinghis family.　Gentle honeybees transform themself into violent bees. Issa had no good emotion to his brother's family.

Issa site

stupid cricket !

mashed down


David English
mashed down by the crickets' feet...the eaves

-Issa, 1825
Age 63, before 2 years of his death. Last year he was stricken with paralysis . Next year he will get married again.

sakuo Japanese
すりつぶす　蟋蟀の足　軒端かな
suri tubu su kourogi no asi noki kana

Issa　Original
こおろぎにふみつぶされし庇哉
kôrogi ni fumi-tsubusareshi hisashi kana

sakuo impresion
The eaves are little insect so that they can not stepped dowm the eaves.I think the eaves is the symbol of the house ,that must be respected.
To damage one's eaves means to damage personal dignity .Issa would be deeply shamed by some one who is stupid.

Issa site

find no way !

from east,west


David English
from east, westsouth, north...the blizzard

-Issa, 1821
59 years old. on January his second son died on his mother's back. on April his wife got sick of gout . At Zenkou-ji , the biggest Temple of Jyoudo Buddhist, his haiku board was displayed. His effort has been admitted in the area of north Sinano province.

sakuo Japanese
東　西　南北から　吹雪かな
higasi nisi ninami kita kara fubuki kana

Issa　Original
東西南北より吹雪哉
higashi nishi minami kita yori fubuki kana

sakuo impresion
When we were right in the middle of blizzard, we often lost the feeling of direction, finding no way.

Issa site

wish to sleep in a ball

sleeping


David English
sleeping in a ballon a winter's night...my little nook

-Issa, 1815
53 years old. On last year he has got his father's asset and married with Kiku.September he went to Edo to publish his poem book. and being to Bosyu for visiting his haiku friends. come back to his village on December.

sakuo Japanese
冬の夜や　丸まり眠る　我が小部屋
fuyu no yo ya marumari nemuru waga ko beya

Issa　Original
冬の夜を真丸に寝る小隅哉
fuyu no yo wo manmaru ni neru kosumi kana

sakuo　sentiment
This haiku makes me smooth. If possible, I wish to sleep in such surrounding.

Issa site

all ungrateful children !

katydid


David English
biting the handthat sets it free...katydid

-Issa, 1825
Age 63, before 2 years of his death. Last year he was stricken with paralysis . Next year he will get married again.

sakuo Japanese
手を噛むで　自由になるや　キリギリス
tewo kande jiyuuni naru　ya kirigirisu

Issa Original
放ちやる手をかじりけりきりぎりす
hanachi yaru te wo kajiri keri kirigirisu

sakuo impresion
We can not see the truth of this world that is under the grace of Buddha. We are all ungrateful children .

Issa site

endlessly lonely Sharon

willow


David English
even the willowis lonely...rose of Sharon

-Issa, 1805
43 years old , vivid activity at Edo with Seibi who was rich and famous amateur haikuist at that time.

sakuo Japanese
やなぎ　さえ　淋しかり　けり　むくげかな
yanagi sae sabisi karikeri mukuge kana

Issa　Original
柳まで淋しくしたる槿哉
yanagi made sabishiku shitaru mukuge kana

sakuo's　Sentiment
Who is the willow ? And who is the sharon ? Nobody knows but it is lonely endlessly.

Issa site
Issa site

winter prayers for Ten Night Festival

rice field to rice field


David English
rice field to rice field cutting straight through...winter prayers

-Issa, 1823
61 years old. Kiku has got sick on Feudally and died on May, and third son died on December.

sakuo Japanese
田から田へ　　真直ぐ刈るや　冬　祈祷
ta kara ta he mattusugu karu ya fuyu kitou

Issa Original
田から田へ 真一文字や 十夜道
ta kara ta e ma ichi monji ya jûya michi

Reference for my imagenation
(1) JODO SHU　　　http://www.jodo.org/
(2) ping point weather data of Sinano -mati http://www.data.kishou.go.jp/etrn/

sakuo Comment
61 years old, Issa was in last stage of his life. He has met many unhappiness. He really wish to be saved by Buddha grace. He would pray with his all power.

Issa site

silent Autumn

mountain temple


David　English
mountain temple--from the gables rising mist

-Issa, 1823
61 years old. Kiku has got sick on Feudally and died on May, and third son died on December.

sakuo Japanese
山寺や　切妻よりも　昇る霧
yamadera ya kiri zuma yori mo　 noboru kiri

Issa　Original
山寺や破風口からも霧の立
yamadera ya hafu kuchi kara mo kiri no tatsu

sakuo image
It is silent Autumn. It is deep in the mountain. When he saw the mist rising from the gables, Did Issa feel such silence at his final age ?

Issa site

Is the first snow beggar ?

they curse the first snow


David　English
they curse the first snow like it's a beggar...rest stop

-Issa, 1824
62 years old, married third wife on May, soon divorced on August. lost ability of speaking by paralysis. recovered and moved around on a carriage.

sakuo Japanese
初雪を乞食と呪う休憩所
hatuyuki wo kojiki to norou kyukeijyo

Issa Original
はつ雪を乞食呼り駅場哉
hatsu yuki wo kojiki yoba[wa]ri tateba kana

sakuo Comment
I have grown up at Kanbara that was one of Tokai-do 53 rest stops. You would remind aUkiyo-e, named "the snow Kanbara" by Hirosige, famouse Ukiyoe painter.My old house stood along Tokai-do, and one of my ancestor was a horse doctor as well as coper. I can remember the old atmosphere of the tateba in this haiku.

Issa site

splash crossing River !

splish splash


David English
splish splash　crossing Ishi River...a pheasant!

-Issa, 1814
52 years old, the settlement of father's asset has been decided, he got his share.marred with Kiku. On August went to Edo for preparation of retirement.

sakuo Japanese
しぶきあげ　石川渡る　雉かな
sibuki age isi kawa wataru kijisu kana

Issa　Original
石川をざぶざぶ渡る雉哉
ishi kawa wo zabu-zabu wataru kigisu kana

sakuo　Comment.
I think Issa looks like a pheasant crossing river bravely. In accident Rome Caesar had crossed a river with great decision. Issa 's mind has reached at higher level at this time.

Issa　site

A great things

a great things


David English
a great thing under the harvest moon...rice blossoms!

sakuo Japanese
idai nari mei getu no moto ine no hana
偉大なり　名月のもと　稲の花

Issa　Original
meigetsu no ôgoto toshite ine no hana
名月の大事として稲の花

sakuo impresion
Issa is alway conscious of being a son of rice farmer. So when he saw the rice blossoms under the moon, he imaged whole world under this moon. And he had to say that a great thing is the rice blossoms.I love his deep and sharp imagination.David san is also good poetic translation !

Issa site

Speedy and fresh ! early Summer

swallow


David English
the first one through is the swallow... hoop of reeds

-Issa, 1814
52 years old,the settlement of father's asset has been decided, he got his share.marred with Kiku. On August went to Edo for preparation of retirement.

sakuo Japanese
tousite mo tubame itiban asi no fue

Issa Original
一番に乙鳥のくぐるちのわ哉
ichiban ni tsubame no kuguru chinowa kana

sakuo Comment
[hoop of reed ] is deficult image, because it is seldam to see it in the city life. When it is drawn in picture, it feels great .

Issa site

waiting and waiting for what ?

waiting and waiting


David English
waiting and waiting for sunset...the willow tree

-Issa, 1805
43 years old , vivid activity at Edo with Seibi who was rich and famous amateur haikuist at that time.

sakuo Japanese
matu ya matu higure ni mukau yanagi kana
待つや　待つ　日暮れに向かう　柳かな

Issa Original
iriai wo machidôshigaru yanagi kana
入相を待遠しがる柳哉

sakuo Comment
Who is the willow tree ? It is Issa. What does Issa wait for ? He wait for getting good position in the field of haikuist.

Issa site