1. Yosa Buson (1716–1784)
Japanese (Romaji):
Fuji no kaze / kaori o nose te / umi ni kuru
Translation:
The wind of Mt. Fuji
carries the scent of blossoms—
it comes to the sea.
2. Kobayashi Issa (1763–1828)
Japanese (Romaji):
Yase gaeru / makeru na Issa / kore ni ari
Translation:
Skinny frog,
don’t give up—
Issa is here!
3. Masaoka Shiki (1867–1902)
Japanese (Romaji):
Kare eda ni / karasu no tomarikeri / aki no kure
Translation:
On a withered branch
a crow has alighted—
autumn evening.
4. Kobayashi Issa
Japanese (Romaji):
Oya nashi no / ushi ya namida no / aki no kure
Translation:
Orphan calf—
even its tears
feel like autumn dusk.
5. Yosa Buson
Japanese (Romaji):
Harusame ya / monogatari yuku / mino to kasa
Translation:
Spring rain—
a traveler’s story
drips from his straw hat and cloak.
6. Masaoka Shiki
Japanese (Romaji):
Tsuki to ume / isshun hanayaka / isshun shizuka
Translation:
Moon and plum blossoms—
for a moment, vivid beauty;
for a moment, silence.
7. Kobayashi Issa
Japanese (Romaji):
Ware to kite / asobu ya oya no / nai suzume
Translation:
Come and play with me—
you little sparrow
without a mother.
8. Yosa Buson
Japanese (Romaji):
Nobe no hi ya / uma hiku hito no / kage nagashi
Translation:
Field in sunlight—
the long shadow
of a man leading a horse.
9. Masaoka Shiki
Japanese (Romaji):
Kaki kueba / kane ga naru nari / Hōryūji
Translation:
Biting into a persimmon—
the bell tolls
at Hōryūji Temple.
10. Kobayashi Issa
Japanese (Romaji):
Kasa wo kite / ware mo yukamu ka / yuki no naka
Translation:
Wearing a straw hat—
shall I go out, too,
into the snow?