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Monday, November 17, 2008

no divine punishment

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".


2 comments:

John McDonald said...

enjoyed this sakuo san
john

Unknown said...

Thank you John san for your kind compliment.

sakuo.