Issa: translations of the Oriental Master

Petals I amass

with such tenderness
prick me to the quick.
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
This world of dew
is a world of dew indeed;
and yet ...
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 

Standing beneath cherry blossoms
who can be strangers?
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
An enormous frog!
We stare at each other,
both petrified.
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
Skinny frog,
hang on ...
Issa to the rescue!
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
Right at my feet!
When did you arrive here,
snail?
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
I toss in my sleep,
so watch out,
cricket!
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
In a better world
I'd leave you my rice bowl,
little fly!
 ― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

  
Cries of the wild geese ...
Spreading rumors about me?
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
While a cicada
sings softly
a single leaf falls ...
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
Wake up, old tomcat,
then with elaborate yawns and stretchings
prepare to pursue love
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

   

This windy nest?
Open your hungry mouth in vain,
Issa, orphaned sparrow!
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
The ghostly cow comes
mooing mooing mooing
out of the morning mist
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

  

The snow melts
and the village is flooded with children!
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
Full moon,
my ramshackle hut
is an open book!
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 
Oh, brilliant moon
can it be true
that even you
must rush off, late
for some date?
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

  

Don't weep, we are all insects!
Lovers, even the stars themselves,
must eventually part.
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

 

In our world
we walk suspended over hell
admiring flowers.
― Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Observe:

see how the wild violets bloom

within the forbidden fences!

�"Shida Yaba (1663-1740), loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

When no wind at all

ruffles the Kiri tree

leaves fall of their own free will.

�"Nozawa Boncho (1640-1714), loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch