Shikishi Haiku
Part of the American Haiku Archives official collection, located at the California State Library; Originally translated by Hiroaki Sato in 1978.
By California State Library
A collection of 24 Shikishi Haiku
In Japan, haiku are traditionally written on tanzaku (vertical poem strips) and shikishi (square poem cards). These works of art show each poet’s poem and calligraphy, and are sometimes given as gifts. The papers are elaborate and colorful.
Two dozen leading Japanese haiku poets created this exhibit’s shikishi. They are among the most prominent haiku writers of the 20th century. Some of their haiku are easy to understand, but some are mysterious, even surreal.
These shikishi were given to the Haiku Society of America in New York City to celebrate the society’s 10th anniversary in 1978. They are part of the American Haiku Archives official collection located at the California State Library and were originally translated by Hiroaki Sato in 1978.
Homemade Sake
Homemade sake of Sasanami Country – I’m already tipsy -Akao Tōshi
Pampas Grass
For today’s moon I’ve arranged long pampas grass -Awano Seiho
Selling Lamps
Selling lamps, with one lamp lit in the mist -Azumi Atsushi
Keeper of the Spring
Building a fire, standing beautifully: keeper of the spring -Hirahata Seitō
Lonesome
More lonesome at day break than at dusk: bell-cricket -Hoshino Tatsuko
Peach Blossoms
In daily clothes, a daily mind: peach blossoms -Hosomi Ayako
Infant Sleeping
An infant asleep raising water like a rose -Iida Ryūta
The Atomic Bomb
The atomic bomb site: a child fades away in heat haze
-Ishihara Yatsuka
Plum in Bloom
Plum in bloom, and all over the garden blue sharks are visiting -Kaneko Tōhta
Mouths Open
In an atomic bomb picture mouths open, I too open my mouth: cold -Katō Shūson
Deer on Mt. Mikasa
Not so much spring rain clouds as the deer on Mt. Mikasa -Minayoshi Sōu
Rosy Dusk
The moon appears and the rosy dusk continues -Mizuhara Shūōshi
Snow Falling
Snow starts falling and goes on falling on mountain camellias -Mori Sumio
World of Dreams
In a world of dreams I grew scallions: how desolate -Nagata Kōi
Child's Teeth
Amid myriad green leaves my child’s teeth begin to grow
-Nakamura Kusatao
Spring Moon
Come outside, too! You can almost touch the spring moon
-Nakamura Teijo
The Koto Ceases
At spring noon, fingers come to a stop and the koto ceases -Nozawa Setsuko
Fireworks
Even in sleep the fireworks during the trip open in my heart -Ōno Rinka
Two Towers
Two towers, like cockscombs withered and standing -Sawaki Kin’ichi
Fresh Green
Fresh green seen from the skyscraper – a garnish of parsley -Takaha Shugyō
Father's Offshore
Father’s offshore. Once a day the sun sets offshore
-Takayanagi Shigenobu
New Year's Day
Huge was Mt. Fuji at the water’s edge New Year’s Day -Tomiyasu Fūsei
Out to the Sea
Out to the sea, the tree-searing wind has no place to return -Yamaguchi Seishi
Wet With Rouge
The doll’s lips wet with rouge for how many generations -Yamaguchi Seison
Presented by the California State Library with assistance from the American Haiku Archives.
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