Selected haiku
Haiku translations: a collaboration between Emiko Miyashita, Claudia Brefeld and Eva Moering
"Here the idea and background of this project can be found.
Selection and commenting on
KENZO Nomura, HIA Vice President
芭蕉見してふ松に今年の新松子
bashō mishi chō / matsu ni kotoshi no / shinchijiri
One says basho saw
on the pine this year's
green cones渡辺通子 WATANABE Michiko
Is it the pine tree of Takekuma in Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture? Also known as Futaki Pine, it is considered the most quoted pine in poetry in Mutsu District. The current pine tree is probably the one that has been planted over the generations, but the scenery must be the same that Basho had seen. The author found a new cone on this famous pine tree. It's like observing Basho's haikai philosophy of “fueki ryūkō” – the jaw doesn't change, but a new cone is born.
雪吊りの縄の弦弾く風の譜か
yukitsuri no / nawa no gen hiku / kaze no fu kana
Score of the Wind–
tugs at the strings of the rope
hanging in the snow大高霧海 OHTAKA Mukai
Yukitsuri is known as a tradition of Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa. Especially in the snowy land, the pillars support the tree trunks and the branches are hung in all directions to balance the weight of the snow. The graceful cones form a geometric beauty against the deep blue winter sky. When the wind blows it is as if the strings of a large harp are being played and the sound of the harp can be heard from somewhere.
see:
https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/activities/kenrokuen-garden/
コードレスイヤフォンぽとり雪深し
kōdoresu / iyahon potori / yuki fukashi
wireless earphones
fall with a pop
the snow is deep内村恭子 UCHIMURA Kyoko
It is said that haiku should be based on everyday experience or what one likes. This haiku was also created while listening to the author's favorite music during a usual walk. Recently, wireless earphones that are worn directly on the ear have become very popular and allow people to listen to music casually. While walking down a snowy street, the wireless headphones fell out of her ear, but luckily she was able to pick them up out of the snow.
冬の闇 一日灯る電灯 その他はグレーの中のグレー
fuyuno yami / ichinichi tomoru dentō / sonohoka wa gurē no naka no grē
winter darkness
electrical light all day
else gray in graywinter darkness
electric light all day
otherwise gray on grayハンセン、アナ （デンマーク） HANSEN, Hanne (Denmark)
There is a seasonal word "winter light". It refers to the light during the cold winter weather, not necessarily the light of the coldest season. The lights that accompany dusk in winter, the lights that accompany the city in the early night, and the lights that shine all day in the darkness described in this haiku have a warm feeling coupled with loneliness.
The work becomes attractive through the use of “grey on grey”.
地が果てて海が始まる野水仙
chi ga hatete / umi ga hajimaru / nozuisen
The country ends
and the sea begins —
daffodil田中あき子 TANAKA Akiko
The narcissus blooms in the cold season, unlike other flowers, and endures the cold. This creates a clear picture. Wild daffodils growing on the cliffs by the Sea of Japan on the coast of Echizen in Fukui Prefecture are well known. The expression “the earth ends and the sea begins” suggests that the sea is approaching the cliff.
And here are five more haiku - selected by Emiko Miyashita
石を切る白き山肌浅き春
ishi o kiru / shiroki yamahada / asaki haru
stone breaking
on bare mountain surface —
early spring相澤正志斎 AIZAWA Seishisai
しゃぼん玉理科室の窓あふれ出て
shabondama / rikashitsu no mado / afuredete
Bubble
flow over out the window
a science room高橋紀美子 TAKAHASHI Kimiko
地下舞台秋思夜光テープの仄明り
chikabutai / shūshi yakōtēpu no / honoakari
underground stage
autumn melancholy
The faint glow of the luminous band松井貴子 MATSUI Takako
難民の行方は何処春の雪
nanmin no / yukue wa izuko / haru no yuki
where you go
the refugees*?
spring snow木下さとし KINOSHITA Satoshi
* The Ukrainian refugees are probably meant here
肥後に来て城も街路も樟若葉
higo* ni kite / shiro mo gairo mo / kusuwakaba
to Higo*
around the castle and on the streets
sprouting camphor trees小野香久子 ONO Kakuko
* Higo is an ancient name of Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu
