pickThis would be an amazing reference book. It not only has all of Basho‘s poems collected and translated, it includes extensive info about each period of his life and all the techniques he employed in his writing. When available notes from his journals are paired with the appropriate poems, and each piece has extensive notes in the appendix describing any wordplay or historical/cultural/literary significance that modern western readers may miss.
When the depressing stories in My Husband get me down, I read a few pages of Basho's complete haiku collection, and feel so much better! I borrow most of my books from the library, but I'm glad I bought this one : I can dip in and out at leisure, and I know I'll be reading it again.
#JapanesePoetry #Poetry #Haiku
Boyfriend is always so sweet, but today he totally surprised me. It is our first anniversary and I had bought a customized leather book sleeve a couple of months ago. It was very nice for hardbacks and big books, but too large for pocket size paperbacks. So he bought me one for small books and have it engraved. It is a haiku because I love haiku: it says "from time to time the clouds give those who watch the moon a break".
so-soMaybe it's because it was 1000+ haikus long, but I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did my previous book of haikus. According to the intro, Basho is the most famous Japanese writer of all time. Hadn't heard of him before this. #haiku #haikus #poems #poetry #blackandwhite #readharderchallenge
from Jane Hirshfield's
The Heart of Haiku
(Kindle Single)
Basho: The Complete Haiku | 
I quickly left off reading the notes and just decided to experience the poems. Having all his work collected in order gives you a fabulous sense of Basho‘s life as you watch the seasons pass, and his interests and writing style evolve. I may come back to the notes section if I get my own copy of this one. 2y