Haiku Menagerie: Living Creatures In Poems And Prints [Hardcover]

Stephen Addiss (Author), Fumiko and Akira Yamamoto (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1992

Some 120 haiku by such masters as Basho, Issa, and Buson—all written about animals—are combined with the woodblock prints and paintings of the great artists of classical Japan. The poems appear both in skillful English translation, as well as in the original Japanese.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Japanese

About the Author

Fumiko Y. Yamamoto taught classical and modern Japanese literature and Japanese cultural images at the University of Kansas—Lawrence. She has also worked with indigenous communities in Arizona and Oklahoma, joining in their efforts to revitalize their native languages.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 116 pages
• Publisher: Weatherhill; 1st edition (October 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0834802481
• ISBN-13: 978-0834802483
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,467,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen Addiss is Tucker-Boatwright Professor of the Humanities and Professor of Art at the University of Richmond in Virginia, United States. He has exhibited his ink paintings and calligraphy in Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, England, France, Germany, and in many venues in the United States. He is also the author or co-author of more than 30 books and catalogues about East Asian art, including "Old Taoist," "Tao Te Ching." "The Art of Zen," "Tall Mountains and Flowing Waters," "Haiga: Haiku-Painting," "Zen Sourcebook," "and "How to Look at Japanese Art."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb and Thoughtful Gift, May 26, 2003

By 

Hortensia Anderson "Hortensia Anderson" (nyc, ny, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Haiku Menagerie: Living Creatures In Poems And Prints (Hardcover)

A wonderful juxtaposition of woodblock prints paired with haiku poems.The book divides the creatures into categories based on their actions so we have "walkers" and "fliers" and "crawlers" and "swimmers".

Issa, of course, is well-represented since he dealt with creatures in so many of his haiku. However, the inclusion of lesser-known haijin is certainly welcome. Has anyone not related to the following:

There's nothing
he doesn't know --
the cat on the stove

Fusei

Lovingly crafted and published, this book makes a thoughtful and classy gift.
I have recommended this volume to many friends and I recommend
it to you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb and Thoughtful Gift, April 24, 2007

By 

Hortensia Anderson "Hortensia Anderson" (nyc, ny, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Haiku Menagerie: Living Creatures in Poems and Prints (Hardcover)

A wonderful juxtaposition of woodblock prints paired with haiku poems.The book divides the creatures into categories based on their actions so we have "walkers" and "fliers" and "crawlers" and "swimmers".

Issa, of course, is well-represented since he dealt with creatures in so many of his haiku. However, the inclusion of lesser-known haijin is certainly welcome. Has anyone not related to the following:

There's nothing
he doesn't know --
the cat on the stove

Fusei

Lovingly crafted and published, this book makes a thoughtful and classy gift.
I have recommended this volume to many friends and I recommend
it to you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Haiku Poetry Book, December 31, 2006

By 

Trilogy Poetry Review "Joseph S. Spence, Sr.,... (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Haiku Menagerie: Living Creatures in Poems and Prints (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book of haiku poetry to read from the master of the craft. The book is arranged into four major sections and addresses nature in the following fashions: walkers, flyers, crawlers, and swimmers. The haiku poems are written about animals, fowl, insects, creatures and the like in four major classifications. The connection between nature, mankind and the elements is blended together in this masterpiece. The next section of the book gives a biographical sketch of the artists who contributed their wonderful illustrations. Their artistic abilities cover animals and creatures, fowl, and insects from the four major areas of walkers, flyers, crawlers and swimmers. The final section is about the poets who are the featured writers in the book. Haikus from the masters, such as Basho, Issa and Buson will touch your soul. The book also gives a biographical sketch of some of the major female haiku poets who are discussed. The illustrators are listed by page as well. This is an excellent haiku book to read and enjoy. It is easy relaxing reading, not complicated, and is soothing to the mind, body and soul.

Also recommended: I recommend reading, the Trilogy Poetic Literature series of A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul and Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul, which entails a series of haiku, senryu, and epulaeryu poems.