cats yowling
separated by a wall--
tragic lovers
neko naku ya hei wo hedatete awanu koi
.猫鳴や塀をへだててあはぬ恋
by Issa, 1824
Literally, the "lovers will not or do not meet" (awanu koi).
Visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
Sakuo link picture.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
cats yowling
David’s English
cats yowling
separated by a wall--
tragic lovers
neko naku ya hei wo hedatete awanu koi
.猫鳴や塀をへだててあはぬ恋
by Issa, 1824
Literally, the "lovers will not or do not meet" (awanu koi).
Visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
Sakuo link picture.
cats yowling
separated by a wall--
tragic lovers
neko naku ya hei wo hedatete awanu koi
.猫鳴や塀をへだててあはぬ恋
by Issa, 1824
Literally, the "lovers will not or do not meet" (awanu koi).
Visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
Sakuo link picture.
Monday, April 14, 2008
the whole town second version
David’s English
the whole town sleeps
while the cormorants
toil
一茶
一村やうにかせがせて夕枕
sakuo renku and renga (second version)
The word cormorant always remind us exploitation by employer.
In first version it was[tax robber and taxpayer]
And second version is [ inn master and Oiran girls]
夜の吉原 鵜の稼ぎ時
yoru no Yoshihara uno kasegi doki
night at Yoshihara
the cormorants are busy
Reference;
Yoshihara: sexual leisure palace in Edo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshiwara
Cormorant (＋fishing)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormorant_Fishing_on_the_Nagara_River
the whole town sleeps
while the cormorants
toil
一茶
一村やうにかせがせて夕枕
sakuo renku and renga (second version)
The word cormorant always remind us exploitation by employer.
In first version it was[tax robber and taxpayer]
And second version is [ inn master and Oiran girls]
夜の吉原 鵜の稼ぎ時
yoru no Yoshihara uno kasegi doki
night at Yoshihara
the cormorants are busy
Reference;
Yoshihara: sexual leisure palace in Edo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshiwara
Cormorant (＋fishing)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormorant_Fishing_on_the_Nagara_River
Sunday, April 13, 2008
the whole town
David’s Englsh
the whole town sleeps
while the cormorants
toil
Issa 1817
hito mura ya u ni kasegasete yu^makura
一村やうにかせがせて夕枕
Issa ends the haiku with the image, yu^makura ("night pillows"). A more literally faithful but harder to picture translation would be: the whole town-- while the cormorants are made to work night pillows Japanese fishermen use cormorants. Tied to a tether, these sea birds dive for fish that they are forced to disgorge.
visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
sakuo renku and renga
何時の世も税を取る人取られる人.
ituno yo mo zei wo toru hito torareru hito
In every generation
there are tax robbers
and taxpayers
the whole town sleeps
while the cormorants
toil
Issa 1817
hito mura ya u ni kasegasete yu^makura
一村やうにかせがせて夕枕
Issa ends the haiku with the image, yu^makura ("night pillows"). A more literally faithful but harder to picture translation would be: the whole town-- while the cormorants are made to work night pillows Japanese fishermen use cormorants. Tied to a tether, these sea birds dive for fish that they are forced to disgorge.
visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
sakuo renku and renga
何時の世も税を取る人取られる人.
ituno yo mo zei wo toru hito torareru hito
In every generation
there are tax robbers
and taxpayers
Monday, March 24, 2008
dropping willow
David’s English
drooping willow--
the gate's crookedness
not quite hidden
一茶 1816年.
垂柳門の曲りはかくれぬぞ
tare yanagi kado no magari wa kakurenu zo
by Issa, 1816 Age 54
sakuo renku & renga
Two years before, married with 28 years bridal.
Fourth Month, a son is born, but soon dies.
若妻手を引き 背を伸ばす
waka-tuma te wo hiki se wo nobasu
young wife lead with hand
old stretch his back
drooping willow--
the gate's crookedness
not quite hidden
一茶 1816年.
垂柳門の曲りはかくれぬぞ
tare yanagi kado no magari wa kakurenu zo
by Issa, 1816 Age 54
sakuo renku & renga
Two years before, married with 28 years bridal.
Fourth Month, a son is born, but soon dies.
若妻手を引き 背を伸ばす
waka-tuma te wo hiki se wo nobasu
young wife lead with hand
old stretch his back
Sunday, March 23, 2008
first snowfall
David’s English
watching first snowfall
in a rotten mood...
Shinano Mountain
一茶 1810年
むつかしや初雪見ゆるしなの山
mutsukashi ya hatsu yuki miyuru shinano yama
by Issa, 1810
Issa's mountainous home province of Shinano, present-day Nagano Prefecture, is known for its hard, bitter winters. The haiku is ironic: poets in other locations look forward to the first snow as a joyous occasion; for Issa it's just plain hard. Mutsukashiki is an old word that can signify having a bad or unpleasant feeling; Kogo dai jiten (Shogakukan 1983) 1597.
visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
sakuo Renku & haiga
At his age 48, Issa began to dispute inheritance of his father’s asset.
His half brother’s family has strongly resisted.
山の向こうに 怖い顔待つ
yama no mukou ni kowai kaomatu
beyond the mountain
Monday, March 17, 2008
can't chase!
David’s English
don't chase, don't chase
children!
that flea has kids
ouna ouna ouna kodomo yo ko mochi nomi
追な追な追な子どもよ子持蚤
by Issa, 1814
In the original Issa repeats "don't chase" three times.
http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
sakuo Haiga
don't chase, don't chase
children!
that flea has kids
ouna ouna ouna kodomo yo ko mochi nomi
追な追な追な子どもよ子持蚤
by Issa, 1814
In the original Issa repeats "don't chase" three times.
http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
sakuo Haiga
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
In the world of man
David’s English
"In the world of man
there are no blossoms!"
mountain cuckoo
hito no yo ni hana wa nashi to ya kankodori
人の世に花はなしとや閑古鳥
1814
Issa Age 52
Fourth Month, 11th day, he marries Kiku ("Chrysanthemum": age 28).
Sakuo Renku
菊に出会えて今が一番
Kiku ni deaete ima ga itiban
meet with Kiku
happiest at present
"In the world of man
there are no blossoms!"
mountain cuckoo
hito no yo ni hana wa nashi to ya kankodori
人の世に花はなしとや閑古鳥
1814
Issa Age 52
Fourth Month, 11th day, he marries Kiku ("Chrysanthemum": age 28).
Sakuo Renku
菊に出会えて今が一番
Kiku ni deaete ima ga itiban
meet with Kiku
happiest at present
Monday, March 10, 2008
they even sell tea
David’s English
they even sell tea
not worth a fart!
summer trees
he no yo^na cha mo ureru nari natsu kodachi
.屁のやうな茶もうれる也夏木立
by Issa, 1816
David comment
Originally, I translated this literally: "tea that smells like a fart. Shinji Ogawa points out that he no yo^na ("fart-like") is an idiom for "worthless."
visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
sakuo haiga
they even sell tea
not worth a fart!
summer trees
he no yo^na cha mo ureru nari natsu kodachi
.屁のやうな茶もうれる也夏木立
by Issa, 1816
David comment
Originally, I translated this literally: "tea that smells like a fart. Shinji Ogawa points out that he no yo^na ("fart-like") is an idiom for "worthless."
visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
sakuo haiga
Sunday, March 09, 2008
singing insect too
David’s English
singing insects, too
make music
in this world
naku mushi mo fushi wo tsuketari yo no naka wa
鳴虫も節を付たり世の中は
by Issa, 1820, Age 58
Tenth Month, his second son is born. Before year his first daughter died.
Sakuo’s comment.
What melody did the insects sing? Joyful? or Sorrowful?
I think it is half and half.
Sakuo’s translation
singing insect too
with a melody
in this world
singing insects, too
make music
in this world
naku mushi mo fushi wo tsuketari yo no naka wa
鳴虫も節を付たり世の中は
by Issa, 1820, Age 58
Tenth Month, his second son is born. Before year his first daughter died.
Sakuo’s comment.
What melody did the insects sing? Joyful? or Sorrowful?
I think it is half and half.
Sakuo’s translation
singing insect too
with a melody
in this world
Saturday, March 08, 2008
mocking the farmer
David’s English
mocking the farmer
plowing, the strutting
crow
hata uchi no mane shite aruku karasu kana
畠打の真似して歩く烏哉
by Issa,
1814, Age 52
Fourth Month, 11th day, he marries
visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
Sakuo comment.
At first I think this is peaceful spring haiku.
But after ward I realize it is very severe poem.
Hata-uti (farm plowing) is Spring Kigo. It means newly farm work begins. Why the crow mocking and follow after the farmer? The crow need to find and pick up caterpillars, larvae and eggs. They need food for breeding their babies.
So the crow must up and down his head to catch their food.
Those poses are very similar to farm’s plowing action.
The bird can get easily find the insect from the ground that was just plowed by the farmer.
Issa is always severe to watch the nature including human
being
mocking the farmer
plowing, the strutting
crow
hata uchi no mane shite aruku karasu kana
畠打の真似して歩く烏哉
by Issa,
1814, Age 52
Fourth Month, 11th day, he marries
visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
Sakuo comment.
At first I think this is peaceful spring haiku.
But after ward I realize it is very severe poem.
Hata-uti (farm plowing) is Spring Kigo. It means newly farm work begins. Why the crow mocking and follow after the farmer? The crow need to find and pick up caterpillars, larvae and eggs. They need food for breeding their babies.
So the crow must up and down his head to catch their food.
Those poses are very similar to farm’s plowing action.
The bird can get easily find the insect from the ground that was just plowed by the farmer.
Issa is always severe to watch the nature including human
being
Friday, March 07, 2008
floating leaves
David‘ｓ English
floating leaves, floating leaves
lotus blossom horseflies
feed
uki ha uki ha hasu no abu ni zo kuwarekeru
.うき葉うき葉蓮の虻にぞ喰れける
by Issa, 1810
visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
Sakuo’s comment.
What happen about Issa in 1810
11 years has passed since his father’s death.
Though the term he wanted to share the half of father’s asset to his half brother’s family who has strongly insist
Issa’s unfair.
As his getting older, Issa decided to leave from Edo and settle down at his home village.
On May 1810 with this strong will he returned for the negotiation with his brother’s family.
He was defeated strongly by the family .The almost
of villagers had jointed to the brother’s side.
He was thinking that his life in Edo was as floating leaves without home and steadily profession.
His family has possessed some acres land, possible to keeping to cultivate and to work as transporter with horse.
So the family’s potential was rich as lotus, but it was occupied by half brother’s family.
They were angry as like horseflies that attacked violently Issa.
floating leaves, floating leaves
lotus blossom horseflies
feed
uki ha uki ha hasu no abu ni zo kuwarekeru
.うき葉うき葉蓮の虻にぞ喰れける
by Issa, 1810
visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/
Sakuo’s comment.
What happen about Issa in 1810
11 years has passed since his father’s death.
Though the term he wanted to share the half of father’s asset to his half brother’s family who has strongly insist
Issa’s unfair.
As his getting older, Issa decided to leave from Edo and settle down at his home village.
On May 1810 with this strong will he returned for the negotiation with his brother’s family.
He was defeated strongly by the family .The almost
of villagers had jointed to the brother’s side.
He was thinking that his life in Edo was as floating leaves without home and steadily profession.
His family has possessed some acres land, possible to keeping to cultivate and to work as transporter with horse.
So the family’s potential was rich as lotus, but it was occupied by half brother’s family.
They were angry as like horseflies that attacked violently Issa.
Monday, March 03, 2008
the barley's autumn
David’s English
the barley's autumn
like real autumn...
cold drizzle
mugi aki ya hon no aki yori samui ame
.麦秋や本の秋より寒い雨
by Issa, 1824
sakuo' comment
[the barley's autumn] is about June. It is early summer.
It is not colder than autumn, but Issa said so . Why?
1824 fifth month, Issa has married with second wife.
On Eighth Month they divorce.
Their marriage was only two and half month.
His second wife was cold existence for Issa.
the barley's autumn
like real autumn...
cold drizzle
mugi aki ya hon no aki yori samui ame
.麦秋や本の秋より寒い雨
by Issa, 1824
sakuo' comment
[the barley's autumn] is about June. It is early summer.
It is not colder than autumn, but Issa said so . Why?
1824 fifth month, Issa has married with second wife.
On Eighth Month they divorce.
Their marriage was only two and half month.
His second wife was cold existence for Issa.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
cicada chirrs
David’s English
a cicada chirrs--
the pinwheel so utterly
red
semi naku ya tsuku-zuku aka[i] kazaguruma
せみなくやつくづく赤い風車
by Issa, 1819
David's comment
Shinji Ogawa notes that this image of a child's red toy "brings tears to our eyes," since in the summer of that year (1819) the poet's daughter, Sato, died. This haiku was composed during the Fourth Intercalary Month, 1819. Sato died in Sixth Month.
a cicada chirrs--
the pinwheel so utterly
red
semi naku ya tsuku-zuku aka[i] kazaguruma
せみなくやつくづく赤い風車
by Issa, 1819
David's comment
Shinji Ogawa notes that this image of a child's red toy "brings tears to our eyes," since in the summer of that year (1819) the poet's daughter, Sato, died. This haiku was composed during the Fourth Intercalary Month, 1819. Sato died in Sixth Month.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
frost-killed grass
David English
frost-killed grass
"Gimme rice!"
a sparrow sings
shimogare ya kome kurero tote naku suzume
.霜がれや米くれろとて鳴雀
by Issa, 1816
sakuo comment.
This year Natsume, Seibi died.
He had been Issa’s big sponsor as well as good friend of haiku.
I think without Seibi Issa’s life would be changed.
frost-killed grass
"Gimme rice!"
a sparrow sings
shimogare ya kome kurero tote naku suzume
.霜がれや米くれろとて鳴雀
by Issa, 1816
sakuo comment.
This year Natsume, Seibi died.
He had been Issa’s big sponsor as well as good friend of haiku.
I think without Seibi Issa’s life would be changed.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
to the wood fire
一茶1819年
ほたの火にせなか向けり最明寺
hota no hi ni senaka muke keri saimyo^ji
David’s English
turning my back
to the wood fire...
Saimyo Temple
Sakuo comment
hota is winter season word which means log.
Special part of wood, that is root dried well.
So the hota is well burn ,making warm the surrounding livings.
Sakuo renku
やっと着きたる今晩の宿
Yatsuto tukitaru konban no yado
at last arriving at
the inn tonight
ほたの火にせなか向けり最明寺
hota no hi ni senaka muke keri saimyo^ji
David’s English
turning my back
to the wood fire...
Saimyo Temple
Sakuo comment
hota is winter season word which means log.
Special part of wood, that is root dried well.
So the hota is well burn ,making warm the surrounding livings.
Sakuo renku
やっと着きたる今晩の宿
Yatsuto tukitaru konban no yado
at last arriving at
the inn tonight
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Toribe Field
David’s English
Toribe Field--
ugly cuckoo!
ugly crow!
Issa, 1824
とり辺野やしこ時鳥しこ烏
toribe[no] ya shiko hototogisu shiko karasu
sakuo renku
灯遠く 鳥達の宴
tomoshibi touku toritati no en
light is far away
birds begin party
Toribe Field--
ugly cuckoo!
ugly crow!
Issa, 1824
とり辺野やしこ時鳥しこ烏
toribe[no] ya shiko hototogisu shiko karasu
sakuo renku
灯遠く 鳥達の宴
tomoshibi touku toritati no en
light is far away
birds begin party
Friday, January 18, 2008
heavy snow
David’s English
heavy snow--
from the dinner tray's edge
Echigo mountains
o^yuki ya zen no kiwa kara echigo yama
.大雪や膳の際から越後山
by Issa, 1813 Age 51.
sakuo haiga
heavy snow--
from the dinner tray's edge
Echigo mountains
o^yuki ya zen no kiwa kara echigo yama
.大雪や膳の際から越後山
by Issa, 1813 Age 51.
sakuo haiga
Thursday, January 17, 2008
bird's nest
一茶
鳥の巣や翌は切らるる門の松
Issa, 1804, age 42.
tori no su ya asu wa kiraruru kado no matsu
David’s English
bird's nest--
tomorrow the pine by the gate
will be cut down
sakuo haiga
鳥の巣や翌は切らるる門の松
Issa, 1804, age 42.
tori no su ya asu wa kiraruru kado no matsu
David’s English
bird's nest--
tomorrow the pine by the gate
will be cut down
sakuo haiga
Thursday, January 10, 2008
first snow
David's English
first snowfall--
bordering the outhouse
Sumida River
はつ雪や雪隠のきはも角田川
一茶 １８13年
sakuo 俳画
first snowfall--
bordering the outhouse
Sumida River
はつ雪や雪隠のきはも角田川
一茶 １８13年
sakuo 俳画
Monday, January 07, 2008
snow melting
David's English
butterflies flit--
deep in Shinano
tracks of sandals
cho^ tobu ya shinano no oku no zo^ri michi
蝶とぶやしなののおくの草履道
by Issa, 1811
sakuo renku
雪融けうれし草履で歩く
yuki doke ureshi zouri de aruku
delighted with snow melting
walk with sandals
butterflies flit--
deep in Shinano
tracks of sandals
cho^ tobu ya shinano no oku no zo^ri michi
蝶とぶやしなののおくの草履道
by Issa, 1811
sakuo renku
雪融けうれし草履で歩く
yuki doke ureshi zouri de aruku
delighted with snow melting
walk with sandals
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