the BIG 5
Basho 1644 – 1694 November 28
Chiyo-ni 1703 - 1775 October 2
Buson 1716 – 1783 December 25
Issa June 15, 1763 - November 19, 1827
Shiki September 17, 1867 – September 19, 1902
Matsuo Basho (1644 – 1694 November 28), born Matsuo Kinsaku, then Matsuo Chuemon Munafusa. ('Basho': a pen name -haigo- 'banana tree')
Fukuda Chiyo-ni (Kaga no Chiyo) (1703 - 1775 October 2) (pen name suffix: ni means 'nun', previously: Chiyo,' meaning 'a thousand years')
or Yosa no Buson (1716 – 1783 December 25)
Kobayashi Issa (June 15, 1763 - November 19, 1827)
(Issa is a pen name meaning 'Cup-of-tea')
Masaoka Shiki (Shiki is a haigo meaning 'little cuckoo') (September 17, 1867 – September 19, 1902), the pen-name of Masaoka Noboru
old pond
a frog jumps in
the sound of water
Basho
morning glory!
the well bucket-entangled,
I ask for water
Chiyo-ni
in a bitter wind
a solitary monk bends
to words cut in stone
Buson
this world of dew
is just a world of dew
and yet...
Issa
autumn breeze is blowing
I feel like that a long-nosed goblin
weeps or laughs
Shiki
Sample more - http://thegreenleaf.co.uk/hp/haigapages.htm
MNEMONIC
Basho is mystic
Buson is artist
Issa is humanist
Shiki is realist
Chiyo-ni is included
jp
jp / 20-09-11
This introductory course is a living document and as such will be developing - be sure to return regularly to this page. Not just to see the changes, but also to review the material in the light of your progress.
