The Essential Haiku: Versions of Bashō, Buson, and Issa

I always find myself returning to this lovely collectionof haiku by Basho, Buson and Issa.The translations capture both the distinctive styles ofthe masters as well as the oft-mentioned "aha moment". I have only to turn a few pages to feel inspiration, motivation, exaltation and profound gratitude for thesebrief jewels. How they transcend time and place!Hass helpfully provides a wonderful introduction andnotes for these exquisitely crafted haiku. A recommendedbook for the novice and advanced reader/writer/loverof haiku.

This book features versions of about one hundred poems by each of three masters in haiku tradition, Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), Yosa Buson (1716-1783), and Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827). The introduction tells us that according to Japanese literary criticism, these three men represent three types of the poet. Basho is seen as the ascetic and seeker, Buson the artist, and Issa the humanist. The differences in each poet's style can be seen at a glance. This book contains interesting short biographies of each of the men as well as some of their prose and notes on the poems. There are a few interesting black and white illustrations throughout the book including some by Yosa Buson himself. The introduction by Robert Hass is a superb introduction to haiku itself. These beautiful three line poems, located in Nature with their implied Buddhist reflection are each a meditation, a centering, and a crystalline moment of realization. Reading them has a way of bringing about calm and peace within the reader. The symbolism of the seasons and the Japanese habit of mind blend together in these poems to create an alchemy of reflection that is unsurpassed in literature. The exquisite skill of these three masters make their subject matter seem completely organic, without artifice. Each poem contains a unique "Ah!" experience because they pierce directly to the soul, activating the human capacity for seeing with a still mind and an observing heart. If you are new to haiku this is a wonderful compendium of the best of the genre. If you are already a lover of haiku this book is a delightfully compact, essential package, a real treasure you are sure to enjoy again and again.

I bought this book four or maybe five years ago and it has never left me since. It's on my bedside table. Wherever and whenever I travel, this book accompanies me. Every time I read any of the haiku, I find something new - not as yet discovered - uplifting - in each.

This book is a collection of haiku by three great Japanese masters- Basho, Buson and Issa who all lived between the seventeenth and the nineteenth centuries. The book is divided into four sections, one on each master, followed by a section containing Basho's thoughts on haiku in general. Each of the first three sections starts with a brief but good introduction to the master followed by the translations of his haiku. Each section concludes with other pieces of writing (prose and haiku) by the poet. This helps to give a picture of the person behind the poem and some idea of the life and times that the poet lived in. Not being familiar with life in Japan from a few centuries ago, I found this very helpful in getting a better understanding of the context in which the poems are set.There are notes at the back which explain some of the nuances and anything significant one has to know about certain Haiku. It helps to keep this in mind when reading the haiku. The fourth section in the book "Basho on Poetry" is a joy to read, and captures the spirit of Haiku. Each sentence here is worth preserving! There is also a list of books for further reading which I found useful.Overall, this book is a good addition to the library, whether one is interested in writing Haiku or not.

I've read other translations of these poems; this one is my favorite. Some of them that seemed dull in previous translations are now among my favorite poems of all time. And I loved his description of Issa's life.