A Brief History of Haiku (V)

 One of the ideas that I had about traditional haiku was that it was always supposed to be a serious, meaningful reflection - or "snapshot", as we discussed last week - of nature or life.  Turns out that is completely untrue.  Many of the old masters wrote humorous haiku reflecting their situations as well, and late 19th-early 20th century haiku writers invoked more of modern life into their writings.

"The mosquitoes are out, they're out!"
says the idler,
walking along, slapping them.

- Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827)

Just now, the three bases

are loaded; uncontrollably

my heart is pounding.

- Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902)

Changing lodgings,

pulling out nose hair, too;

plum flowers.

Uejima Onisura (1661-1738)

Just like the persimmons,

my testicles are cold

in the autumn wind.

Taigu Ryokan (1758-1831)

Ignoring the fact that I need

to sleep;

cats in spring

Inoue Seigetsu (1822-1887)

In a lodging you have gotten used to,

even the mosquitos

are interesting.

Takahama Kyoshi (1874-1959)

Completely naked,

I write and offer up a thought 

for today.

Ogiwara Seisensui (1884-1976)

Shelling chestnuts;

how happy the children in beddy-bye will be

tomorrow.

Sugita Hisajo (1890-1946)

Will it be puckery?
I don't know;

the first-picked persimmon.

Fukuda Chiyo-Ni (1703-1775)

Our first telephone.

And sure enough,

my father's voice.

Hoshino Tatsuko (1903-1984)

Works cited:

Wilson, William Scott.  A Beginner's Guide to Japanese Haiku:  Tuttle Publishing, New York:  2022.