Connecting to nature through poetry and prose
using his headthe high priest breaksicicles~Kobayashi Issa(translated by David G. Lanoue) Kobayashi Issa (1763 – 1828) Kobayashi Issa, named Kobayashi Yatarô during his childhood, was one of the four foremost Japanese haiku poets, along with Basho, Buson, and Shiki. The name Issa translates to mean “Cup of Tea.” David G. Lanoue, a retired professor of... Continue Reading →
We have entered the micro-season of “The Plums Turn Yellow”. To celebrate this season we will learn about the Japanese Flowering Plum (Prunus mume) and then read haiku by Basho, Issa, Jane Reichhold, and Jack Kerouac.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Praying Mantis Hatches”. This is the first micro-season of the season of Grain in Ear. To celebrate this season we will learn about the praying mantis and then read haiku by Basho, Issa, Takarai Kikaku, Kerouac, and others.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Safflower Blossoms.” To celebrate this season we will learn about the safflower and read haiku by Basho, Issa, Buson, Matsunaga Teitoku, and Yagi Shokyu-ni.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Earthworms Rise.” This is the first micro-season of the mini-season of First Summer. To celebrate this season we will learn about earthworms and read seasonal haiku from Basho, Buson, Issa, and Reichhold.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Sparrow Builds Her Nest ” This is the first micro-season of the mini-season of Spring Equinox. To celebrate this season, we will learn about sparrows and read seasonal haiku by Basho, Issa, Buson, and Shiki.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Spring Water Holds Warmth”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season Minor Cold. To celebrate this season, we will learn about springs, aquifers, and read seasonal haiku by Basho, Issa, and Shiki.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Tachibana First Turns Yellow”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season Minor Snow. To celebrate this season, we will learn about Citrus tachibana and then read citrus-themed poems by Basho, Issa, Fay Aoyagi, and Emperor Genshō.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Maple and Ivy Turn Yellow". This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of Frost Descent. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about what causes leaves to change color and then read some seasonal haiku by Issa, Basho, and Buson.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Grasshopper Sings”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season of Cold Dew. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about grasshoppers and stridulation. Then we will read seasonal haiku by Basho, Issa, and Buson.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Chrysanthemum Flowers”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season of Cold Dew. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about the chrysanthemum flower, explore its cultural significance, and then read haiku by Basho, Issa, and Buson.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Swallows Leave”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of White Dew. As a way to celebrate this season, we will investigate the swallow and its migration patterns. Then we will read haiku by Buson and Issa. This season, we also invite you to write your own migration-inspired haiku and share it with the community.
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