Issa 一茶
今迄は罰もあたらず昼寝蚊屋
ima made wa bachi mo atarazu hirune kaya
David's English
no divine punishment yet--
napping
under the net
by Issa, 1819
In Pure Land Haiku: The Art of Priest Issa, I write: The key
phrase is the first:ima made wa--"yet" or "up to now." Divine
retribution may come in time, but for now the poet enjoys a
pleasant summer nap. Viewed outside of the context of
Jo^doshinshu^ belief, this haiku seems blatantly irreligious.
However, Issa is actually exhibiting authentic piety as he naps,
leaving both punishment and salvation in the capable hands of
Amida Buddha (Reno/Tadoshi: Buddhist Books International,
2004) 122. This haiku is one of the "essential" 188 picked by
the translator.
http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
sakuo haiga
Through his whole life, Issa believed he is a san of peasant.
He always blame himself for eating without working in rice
field.
He asked to himself "Can I be afford to nap while all peasants
work hard at rice field in hot summer day".
