Staring Contest

Issa original
おれとして　ore　to　site　
白眼くらする　niramekura　suru
蛙かな　　　　　kaeru　kana

David's　English
locked in a staring contest
me…
and a frog

sakuo comment
me and the frog
which one win
in praying Buddha

You are so well.

小林一茶Issa Original
朝顔や再生と秋を咲
asagao ya futatabibae to aki wo saku

David's English
born again
morning-glories make
autumn bloom 1806

sakuo 連句　renku
入りかねてる　秋の入り口
hairi kane teru aki no iriguti

hesitating to go in
at the entrance of Autumn



Reference
1806
44 years old. Lived in Edo. He was active as a haiku-ist
with Seibi group. He has good friends who were Ittupyou ,priest in Hongyou-ji
and Kousyun-Taki at this time.

Long,long way to go!

一茶の原句　Issa original
華の友に又逢ふ迄は幾春や　　
hana no tomo ni mata au made wa ikuharu ya

David's 英訳　English
my blossom comrades
we'll meet again...
how many springs?　　　　Issa 　1791

sakuo 連句　renku
青き海山　越えし君待つ
aoki umi yama/ koeshi kimi matu

waiting you come back
over blue sea and mount



Reference

-Issa, 1791
29 years old, staying in Edo. He was the spectator of Tr.Somaru. visiting Shimofusa district where he will get many haiku friends.
On April he came back to his home village, it has passed 15 years since
he left from there.

To the next page , Ready !

Issa Original
雉の鳴く拍子に春は暮にけり
kiji no naku hyôshi ni haru wa kure ni keri

David's English
to the beat
of a pheasant's cries
spring dusk

sakuo　Renku
ちょん、ちょんお後が/ よろしいようで/
chon chon oato ga/ yorosii you de/

chyon ,chyon ,to the next page
it's ready




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

Too noisy !

Issa Original
笹の家の小言の真似を鳴蛙 　　　
sasa no ya no kogoto no mane wo naku kawazu

David's English
copying the nagging
in the thatched house...
croaking frogs

sakuo Renku
いずれにしても/ うるさかりけり/
izure ni sitemo / urusa kari keri/

at any where　
it's too noisy



-Issa, 1816
54 years old, 2 year before, after getting father's asset, married with Kiku.
On April first son born, soon died. On July at Naganuma, he become
ill. On Octber went to Edo, shaved his head hair.

David's comment
The house is thatched with bamboo grass (sasa).

Oh so cold !

David's English
"Frost has formed!"
he yells
then pisses

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 visited for his haiku friends in Bousou, coming back to his village on December

Issa Original
霜おくと呼る小便序哉 一茶
shimo oku to yobawaru shôben tsuide kana

sakuo Renku
身震いするや家に戻りぬ
After shuddered/ he back to the house/

You sleep well !

David's English
softly snoring--
the cat curled up
on the fan

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

一茶（夏）
づうづうと猫の寝ころぶ扇哉
zu-zu to neko no ne-korobu ougi kana

sakuo remark
[ougi] is not a fan for making wind but for ornament and tool for dance and drama .
Whose　fan is it ?
It is a lady's fan who is sleeping deeply.
Silent and hot summer afternoon it is.

Busy, Busy !

David's English
at dawn
I start the spring...
borrowed clothes

-Issa, 1803
41 years old, living in Edo, in Honjyo, temple named Katuti-in.
visiting around Bousou, especially frequently visit to Akimoto, his rich sponsor in Nagare-yama.
I think he has increased his power as one of haiku-ist.

一茶
明ぼのの春早々に借着哉
akebono no haru haya-baya ni karigi kana

David　Comment
This haiku has the prescript, "Without clothes." The first day of spring was New Year's Day in the old Japanese calendar.

sakuo remark
At the beginning of New Year he needs formal ware for visiting his spongers,
receiving chips for New Year's celebrating.
On early morning he visited a rental shop to borrow formal ware.
He said it's business, business.
Then this haiku has come.

Homu~~ Edo

David's English
even my plum tree
in its own sweet time
has bloomed!

-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, coming back to his village on December

一茶
我梅も仕様事なしに咲にけり
waga ume mo shougoto nashi ni saki ni keri

David comment
Shinji Ogawa said shougoto nashi ni saki ni keri goto nashi ni, means "reluctantly." He paraphrases: "my plum tree/ has reluctantly/ bloomed."

sakuo remark
Issa has got every thing at his home village that were the property and haiku sponsors.
This is his longing dream.
But he has lost Edo life and Edo culture.
So he had to get reluctant mood.

Buddha save me !

David's English
on the flesh
of the yellow rose...
a frog　　　　　　

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

Issa Original
山吹の花のはだへの蛙哉 一茶
yamabuki no hana no hadae no kawazu kana

David Comment
This haiku has the prescript, "Eight Merits-Earning Water." This refers to a special pond in the Buddhist Paradise, the water of which contains eight beneficial properties. See Kogo dai jiten (Shogakukan 1983) 1333. By prefacing the haiku in this way, Issa hints that a pond is also part of the scene.

sakuo remark
Issa is the frog who touched on Buddha
in the mood of happiness

So lonely

David's English
gradually the geese
fly away...
rice field moon

-Issa, 1802
40 years old, the year before his farther has died. the trouble on asset
has began that continued for 12 years. He started to go around the province of Northern Kanto area.

Issa Original
段々に雁なくなるや小田の月
dan-dan ni kari nakunaru ya oda no tsuki

sakuo remark
It gives me lone some feeling.

Two parent ,I envy you

David's English
taking turns
guarding the nest...
parent sparrows

-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 to haiku friends in North Sinano.

Issa Original
かはるがはる巣の番したり親雀 一茶
kawaru-gawaru su no ban shitari oya suzume

sakuo remark
To have two parent is the best, I envy you !

Money, Money, thank you !

David's English
persimmon tree--
the color of gold coins
its leaves

Issa, 1813
５１ years old, On January after long negotiation, he has got the half of father's asset . For retirement, he visited to haiku friends in North Sinano.

Issa Original
柿の葉に小判色なる木の葉哉
kaki no ha [ni] koban iro naru ki [no] ha kana

sakuo remark
Issa has got half of his father's asset that
could make him alive without work.
Thinking his poor life in Edo,
it likes a dream.

The Man of Fox sect !

David's English
from willow tree
from plum tree comes
the fox!

-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 to haiku friends in North Sinano. On June and July he was ill in bed for blotch.

一茶
柳から梅から御出狐哉
yanagi kara ume kara on-deru kitsune kana

sakuo remark
Issa said, I have got out the Willow sect of haiku.
And I left from Edo that is Plum sect.
Now I am a man of Fox sect in this mountain.

I am tired

David's English
evening sky--
the buzzing of mosquitoes
pretty

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

一茶
夕空や蚊が鳴出してうつくしき
yûzora ya ka ga nakidashite utsukushiki

sakuo remark
At this time Issa is in desperate condition.
He was loosing to be young. He lost his haiku friends.
He could not get his father's asset.

Good summer night

David English
my dwelling--
mingling with the mice
pretty fireflies

-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.

一茶
我宿や 鼠と仲の よい蛍
waga yado ya nezumi to naka no yoi hotaru

sakuo remark
Issa, poet and brother, farmer ,they are under summer night.
Poet, firefly and farmer, mice , they talk friendly.

Kill a fly,and Pray for Buddah

David English
swatting a fly
today I hear it again...
mountain bell

1806
44 years old. Lived in Edo.

Issa Original
蝿打てけふも聞也山の鐘 一茶
hae uchite kyô mo kiku nari yama no kane

David Comment
The bell belongs to a Buddhist temple. Perhaps Issa feels a tinge of guilt for taking a life: violating one of Buddha's main precepts. And just as he does the dirty deed, as if to personally chide him, the temple bell tolls in the distance.

sakuo remark
The fly comes and disturbｓ me,
listen mountain temple bell.

Men absent, Let go pic nick

David English
mountain goblins
are out in droves...
cherry blossoms!
goblin

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

Issa Original
天狗衆の留主のうち咲く山ざくら 一茶
tengushu no rusu [no] uchi saku yama-zakura

David　Comment
Tengu are fierce-looking, red-faced, and long-nosed creatures. This haiku ends with "mountain cherry blossoms" (yama-zakura); in my translation, to balance the lines, I put "mountain" first.

sakuo remark
The men have gone, let us go to pick nick !

Super cold !

David English
down to the bone
bitter cold...
the novice priest

1817
55 years old. married at 52 years old with Kiku, next year he get first son but soon died. From January to June stayed in Edo, and returned to Kashiwabara.

Issa Original
しんしんと心底寒し新坊主 一茶
shin-shin to shinsoko samushi shin bôzu

David comment
One of the old meanings of shin-shin to is a "body-piercing cold"; Kogo dai jiten (Shogakukan 1983) 858.
As if to place emphasis on the coldness, the "cold" sound of shin is repeated four times.

sakuo remark
The novice priest has first experience,
feeling cold with newly shaved head.
Oh cold ！

Cold, but must go !

David English
palms
in the cooking smoke
winter cold

-Issa, 1803
41 years old, living in Edo, visiting around Bousou,
especially frequently visit to Akimoto,
his good sponsor .


Issa Original
掌に酒飯けぶる寒さ哉 一茶
tenohira ni sakameshi keburu samu[sa] kana

sakuo remark
In cold morning, Issa prepared to the journey.
He made Onigiri (rice ball ) with last night rice.
When he the rice put in his palm, the rice even became cold,
it smoked in the bitter cold .
He said to himself "I must go, if it's cold day"

[ sakamesi] is the rice boiled with tea and sake.

Beautibul the face is !

David English
reaching the face
of Buddha in his niche...
autumn wind　　　　　 1805

Issa Original
穴底の仏の顔も秋の風 一茶
anasoko no hotoke no kao mo aki no kaze

sakuo Comment
[hotoke] is not Buddha but dead man who was buried in to
the grave.
The death mask is so clean that there is no lingering affection.
It looks like autumn window

Coming Master!

David English
with the samisen's
　　　　plectrum sweeping up...
　　　　　hailstones 1821
　　　　　

-Issa, 1821
59 years old. on January his second son died on his mother's back. On April his wife got sick of gout .

一茶
三絃のばちで掃きやる霰哉
samisen no bachi de haki yaru arare kana

David Comment
A samisen is a long-necked, three-stringed banjo-like instrument, plucked with a plectrum. Here, someone is finding a new use for the latter.

sakuo image
A woman was waiting for her lover.
She had idle moment with playing samisen,
He didn't come, and hailstones come.
Then she swept them with plectrum

Servant suddenly said, Master is coming !

Have a nice topic !

David English
suddenly circling
the outdoor sermon...
little butterflies 1822

Issa 1822
60 years old, On March the third son born, On August injured by
slipping on the road, wrote the books of haiku.

Issa Original
野談義をついととりまく小蝶哉 一茶
no dangi wo tsui to torimaku ko chô kana

David Comment
A Buddhist priest gives a sermon in a field--probably about Amida's saving grace. Several "pious" butterflies attend along with the people.

Tsui to can mean satto ("suddenly") or migaru ni ("with agility"); Kogo dai jiten (Shogakukan 1983) 1075.

sakuo Comment
This is not sermon but just only conversation on the field.
Dangi means speaking formal topic, but is not used only for religious content.
I think Issa saw villagers talking on the field. They discussed mean less topic that happened in the village.
He would wish to tease them.

sakuo remark
よう　やってるね！
Now you're cooking!

Long spring day !

David English
a skylark sings--
a man facing sunset 1804

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

Issa Original
鳴雲雀人の顔から日の暮るる 一茶
naku hibari hito no kao kara hi no kururu

sakuo remark
Today is a long day !

All belong to Buddha

Issa Original
仏法がなくば光らじ草の露 一茶
buppô ga nakuba hikaraji kusa no tsuyu

David English
without Buddha's law
no glitter...
dewdrops in the grass

Issa's 1818,
Age 56 Fifth Month, 4th day, a daughter, Sato, is born.

Sakuo Remark
Thank you, Buddha for giving me a baby

Simple but easy

David English
planting vegetables
living in mist...
little house 　 --1815

小林一茶
菜も蒔いてかすんで暮らす小家哉
na mo maite kasunde kurasu ko ie kana

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, coming back to his village on December

sakuo　remark
Getting father's asset and married.
Simple life but I am easy.

Grown up healthy

David English
clinging to the kite's string...
the sleeping child

一茶 Issa 1822
凧の糸引とらまへて寝る子哉
tako no ito hikitoramaete neru ko kana

sakuo paint & remark
60 years old,having lost his three children.
On this New Year, his fourth child is in mother's
stomack.
He prayed , Come and grow up healthy.

the horse's bucket waiting too!

David English
Winter wind—
on the wall's ledge
the horse's bucket

Issa 1803
木がらしや壁の際なる馬の桶
kogarashi ya kabe no kiwa naru ume no oke

sakuo remark
One is waiting horse ridding master,
Isn't it cold! Does he visit me tonight?

Nice hot spring !

David English
my umbrella-hat
left on the baby grass...
a hot bath
-Issa 1816

Issa Original
わか草に笠投やりて入る湯哉
wakakusa ni kasa nage yari te iru yu kana

sakuo remark
It was cold. Oh nice, hot spring !

How long I lived !

David English
amazing-- in the house I was born
spring begins today years unknown

ふしぎ也生れた家でけふの春　　　一茶
fushigi nari umareta ie de kyô no haru

The haiku has the prescript, "After fifty years' absence, returning to my native village."



sakuo remark
Issa has leaved home at his 14 years old, so plus 50 years, it become
at 64 years old of Issa'age.
He has died at 65, so this haiku was made at one year before his death.
At this year August he will marry with third wife Yao.
Issa　said,
"How long I have been alive”

having much money

David English
spring rain--
in the wife's sleeve
coins jingle

Issa Original
春雨や妹が袂に銭の音 　　一茶
harusame ya imo ga tamoto ni zeni no oto

-Issa, 1820　


sakuo remark
Issa’s wife said
“Darling, bought too much “

David
a beggar child walking and flying a kite

Issa Original
乞食子や歩ながらの凧
kojiki ko ya aruki nagara ikanobori



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

sakuo comment
1816 first son born soon died
1818 may, first daughter born
1819 June she died
1820 Octber scond son born
1821 January he died
When Issa saw vid beggar kid, growing with no care, he
thought his children.
Without deep care other’s child grown up well.

I will go ,wait for a while !

cormrant boat


David English
cormorant boat--
her children cry
in the windowleft behind

Issa original
舟の鵜や子の鳴窓を跡にして
fune no u ya ko no naku mado wo ato ni shite

David comment
he cormorant's children, left behind, cry for their mother as the boat leaves. Japanese fishermen use cormorants. Tied to a tether, these sea birds dive for fish that they are forced to disgorge.

-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 remark
The farther must go even if his son cried, when it is needed.

Your GranMa bullied me too

swatting a fly


David English
swatting a fly　but hitting　the Buddha

-Issa, 1808
46 years old, Last year end, he returned to home village for father's asset negotiation. On June he has been in Kashihabara again, attended to Grand mother's 33 th Buddha ceremony.
On November he settled the negotiation with his half brother. On December, he returned to Edo.

sakuo Japanese
蝿叩く　しかし叩いた　仏かな
haetataki sikasi tataita hotoke kana

Issa Original
蠅打に敲かれ玉ふ仏哉 一茶
hae uchi ni tatakare tamau hotoke kana.

sakuo remark
This happened at the night of grand mother’s Buddha celemony
There attended Issa, his mother in law, half brothers and others.
They were in the struggle of father’s asset.
His mother in law cried to Issa.
You said I always bullied you, but Your Grandma always was
cruel to me!
And she hit a fly just like hitting Grandma, who has become Buddha

Every thing is Buddha's mind

come what may


David English
come what may
praise Amida Buddha!
mountain cuckoo

-Issa, 1810
48 years old, live in Edo,
On April Dear Kakyou [ female haiku friend in Futtu ] ,with whom Issa had pleasant kukai meeting on March of last year, died.
Without knowing of this happening , on May he returned to home village for the negotiation of father's asset. Soon come back to Edo.
On June he went to Futtu for visiting Kakyou's grave.

sakuo Japanese
何たって　阿弥陀仏だよ　閑古鳥
nantaltute amidabutu da yo kankodori

Issa Original
何事も　なむあみだ仏　閑古鳥
nanigoto mo namu a[mi]da butsu kankodori

David comment
I translate nanigoto as "come what may." In his French translation, L. Mabesoone has the bird singing a sutra "a la moindre occasion" ("with the least provocation" or, more metaphorically, "at the drop of a hat"); Issa to kuhi (Tokyo: Kankohkai 2003) 46. Not exactly a sutra, the nembutsu prayer, "Namu Amida Butsu," renders praise to Amida Buddha. According to Pure Land Buddhism, sentient beings must rely on Amida's saving grace to be reborn in the Western Paradise--a metaphor for enlightenment.

sakuo remark
My Japanese haiku is too cheerful . Issa at this summer was sad at his loved Kakyo's death.
Maybe he was on the way to Futtsu where Kakyou had lived in.

Take care, unhappy attack you !

little snail


David English
little snail
look! look!
at your shadow

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

sakuo Japanese
かたつぶり　見よ　見よ　その　影を
katatuburi mi yo mi yo anatano kage wo

Issa Original
かたつぶり見よ見よおのが影ぼふし
katatsuburi mi yo mi yo onoga kagebôshi

sakuo remark
Getting father’s asset, getting marred, it is the happiest time for
Issa.
Take care for yourself. After you the creepy silhouette is creeping
to you with unhappiness.

Thanks Inahri san!

The Grace Map


David English
in the flowering rape
well, well
the great God Inari!

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

sakuo Japanese
菜の花に　よしよし　稲荷　大明神
na no hana ni yosi yosi inari daimyoujin

Issa　Original
菜の花にやれやれいなり大明神
na no hana ni yare-yare inari daimyôjin

David comment
Rape (or canola) is a bright yellow flowering plant of Asia. Inari is the Shinto god of cereal grains.

sakuo Image
Here is the distribution map of rape flower oil.
In Edo period, people use much seed oil for lighting that made from
seed of rape flower..
The farmer must pay his rice as tax, but rape seed is free from tax.
So farmer is pleased to have good harvest of rape.
Issa’s old sponsor, Ohkawa is an oil dealer and rich enough to help
Issa.
There were many Inari shrines in Edo period. Inari is the god of farmer
and commerce. Inari was considered as being a fox.

The map told that, the flowering rape will bring farmer extra mony and
oil dealer can get cheap oil seed. People in Edo can enjoy oil lighting.
All together say thanks to Inari the great God.

Come up Gentleman !

with her samisen


David English
with her samisen　
she makes snow fall...
second floor　

　　　　　　　　
-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, coming back to his village on December

sakuo Japanese
三味線で　雪を降らせる　二階かな
syamisen de yuki wo fura seru nikai kana

Issa　Original
三弦で雪を降らする二階哉
samisen de yuki wo furasuru ni kai kana

David comennt
Yoshiwara was the licensed brothel district near Edo (today's Tokyo).
A geisha is using her samisen, a sort of three-string banjo, to sweep snow from a window ledge, causing a flurry below.

sakuo image.
There falls snow, there are few visitors. Geisya swept snow to invite Issa
to the house.
It isn't scenic as well as pity.

Oh,You, Lucky !

baby sparrow


David English
baby sparrow
inside a person's fist
its first cry

-Issa, 1809
47 years old, living Edo. On April going back to Shinano Province, where he was keeping to get acquaintance of haiku. From 1792 to 1798 he visited to the West part of Japan including Nagasaki where he got much European information.
Time to time Russian ships and British navies have come to Japan, asking to open the business. There were many uprising by the farmers in his Shinano Province.

sakuo Japanese
子燕や　人の手の中　産声を
kotubame ya nigiri kobusi de ubugoe wo

Issa　Original
雀子や人のこぶしに鳴初る
suzume-go ya hito no kobushi ni naki someru

David Comennt
Shinji Ogawa writes, "Since the word 'inside' does not appear in the original, this haiku may be translated in this way also: 'The baby sparrow starts crying at (or against, in despite of) the person's fist.' The word kobushi literally means knuckles...The expression; 'inside a fist' is rather odd."

sakuo's Imagination
Why is the baby sparrow inside a person's fist?
Soon after the sparrow's birth, he has dropped from the nest.
And he was saved by the person who looks like Great Buddha
Rescued sparrow cried at fast in the fist.
Issa though the Grace of Heaven.

Oh~ Cold and Fear !

merely the sight


David English
merely the sight
of wolf shit...
how cold it is!

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

sakuo Japanese
狼の　糞見ただけで　寒くなる
oukami no kuso mita dake de samuku naru

Issa　Original
狼は糞ばかりでも寒さかな
ôkami wa kuso bakari demo samu[sa] kana

David　Comment
Shinji Ogawa paraphrases, "[when it comes to] wolves/ the mere sighting of shit/ chills me to death."
Seeing wolf dung, Issa suddenly feels down to his bones the winter cold--a marvelous expression of physical and psychological feeling.

sakuo remark
It is really cold; He is the father of naturalistic literature.

thinking of Kyoto with Mitizane !!

one branch makes


This version was sent on 050412.
I made here second version

David English
one branch makes
Kyoto's sky...
plum blossoms

-Issa, 1802
40 years old, On last year his father died, the long struggle on father's asset has started. [Father's last day's record] has been
written.

sakuo Japanese
一枝で　都に空を　梅の花
hito eda de miyako ni sora wo ume no hana

Issa　Original
片枝は都の空よむめの花
kata eda wa miyako no sora yo mume no hana

Mume is ume ("plum tree"). Just one blooming branch against the blue is enough to create a sky befitting the capital.

sakuo remark
The copy original of this haiku is maybe Mitizane Sugahara's
At this time Issa was not in Kyoto where he has been to at his young age.
He visited the Shrine of Mitizane in Edo who made Ume haiku of Kyouto ,
stayingin Kyusyu.
Having this concept, Issa would make this Ume haiku.
I think the place in Edo is Yushima Shrine.

Good by ! Come again !

three times round


David English
three times 'round
the little shrine...
departing geese

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

sakuo Japanese
三廻りす　小さな社　帰る雁

Issa Original
小社を三遍舞て帰る雁
ko yashiro wo san-ben maite kaeru kari

This haiku is mailed to me second time.
At my first try I said as follows,
Sakuo Nakamura notes that the geese seem to be praying for their safe return journey.

sakuo remark
Good by! Come again next year!

Go slowly !

tottering in the seaside


David English
tottering in the seaside
rice field...for the crane too
the day is long!

-Issa, 1810
48 years old, live in Edo,
On April Dear Kakyou [ female haiku friend in Futtu ] ,with whom Issa had pleasant kukai meeting on March of last year, died.
Without knowing of this happening, on May he returned to home village for the negotiation of father's asset. Soon come back to Edo.
On June he went to Futtu for visiting Kakyou's grave.

sakuo Japanese
浜の田を　よろよろ鶴も　日なが哉

Issa　Original
ひょりひょりと磯田の鶴も日永哉
hyoro-hyoro to iso ta no tsuru mo hi naga kana

sakuo remark
It is very easy mood that Issa walks near the shore of Edo.
Where the horizontal line spread ,and birds fly in spring sky.
Issa feel peace in his mind.

not the Cat but my Child !

the big cat sleeps


David English
the big cat sleeps
in the same seat...
with the doll

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

sakuo Japanese
大猫も　眠る同席　人形と

Issa　Original
大猫も同坐して寝る雛哉
ôneko mo dôza shite neru hiina kana

sakuo remark
Why is it big cat ? I think [big cat] is key word of this haiku.
The doll has been bought for the sake of celebrating his children who
had died soon after their birth.
Every spring, the third day of Third Month those dolls were displayed.
The seat in the front of doll that should be sat by his children, is
now occupied by the big cat.
Can you feel Issa's sadness at this doll festival ?

All villagers will dance and dance !

an isolated house


David English
an isolated house
in mountain shade
but a festival dance!

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
一軒屋　山陰なれど　踊り哉

Issa　Original
山かげの一軒家さへおどり哉
yama kage no ikken-ya sae odori kana

sakuo　remark
さえ＝sae is key word.
I can see dancing at the front of the house in the mountain.
Small spot stresses the big pleasure of autumn .

Spring doesn't come !

in the thicket


David English
in the thicket
snow melts easily...
smoke

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

sakuo Japanese
藪の中　雪解けにけり　煙かな
yabu no naka yuki tokeni keri kemuri kana

Issa Original
薮の雪ちょっととけるもけむり哉 一茶
yabu no yuki chotto tokeru mo kemuri kana

sakuo remark
Spring still does not come. It’s cold today.

It is getting dirty !

through a village of people


David English
through a village of people
the pure water
ain't

-Issa, 1822
60 years old, On March the third son born, On August injured by
slipping on the road, wrote the books of haiku.

sakuo Japanese
人里を　通りて　清よき水　でなし
hito zato wo tourite kiyoki mizu denasi

Issa　Original
人里出れば清水でなかりけり 　　一茶
hito-zato e dereba shimizu de nakari keri

sakuo remark
That’s right.

I don't like, I don't do !

he hates taking


David English
he hates taking
the shortcut...
withered fields

-Issa, 1803
41 years old, living in Edo, in Honjyo, temple named Katuti-in.
visiting around Bousou, especially frequently visit to Akimoto, his good sponsor in Nagare-yama.
I think he has increased his power as one of haiku-ist.

sakuo Japanese
その人は　近道嫌う　枯野かな
sono hito ha tika miti kirau kare no kana

Issa　Original
近道はきらひな人や枯野原　　
chikamichi wa kiraina hito ya kareno hara

sakuo remark
Who is he? He is Issa himself who did not choose the seat of Haiku professional of Katusika sect.
He submitted his letter of resignation to the faction in his mind.

scent and appetite, drink togather !

plum blossom scent


David English
plum blossom scent--
slurping it in
with the vegetable soup

-Issa, 1808
46 years old, Last year end returned to home village for father's asset negotiation. On June in Kashihabara again, attended to Grand mother's 33 th Buddha ceremony.
On November Having settled the negotiation with his half brother. On December , returned to Edo, his residence has been occupied by others unknown.

sakuo Japanese
梅の香や　汁菜と共に　すすりけり

Issa Original
梅が香を　すすり込だる菜汁哉
ume ga ka wo susuri kondaru na-zuyu kana

sakuo remark
[ blossom scent] stimulate our mentality.
[soup] is physical satisfaction for food appetite
Drinking togather with body and soul is his genius.

I wish to go to Edo , But !

scowling


David English
scowling
at the sickle moon...
a frog

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

sakuo Japanese
三日月を　睨み付けたる　蛙哉
mikazukiwo nirami tuke taru kaeru kana