Haiku People: Big And Small In Poems And Prints [Hardcover]

Stephen Adiss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

Some 120 haiku by such masters as Basho, Issa, and Buson—all written on themes of people of various shapes and sizes, young and old—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

About the Author

Stephen Addiss, PhD, is Tucker-Boatwright Professor in the Humanities: Art at the University of Richmond, Virginia, as well as a world-renowned calligrapher. He is a leading authority on Japanese art and the author of more than thirty-five books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Weatherhill; 1st edition (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0834804174
• ISBN-13: 978-0834804173
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,581,164 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

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yet another book I almost stole..., September 3, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Haiku People: Big And Small In Poems And Prints (Hardcover)

I must confess, I don't usually consider people interesting.

So, had I not discovered this gem on a collector's coffee table, I know I would not be reviewing a collection of well over 100 haiku about - people!

As in his other books, Haiku People is for the coffee table so if you entertain, having it around will make life for your guests truly pleasant.

Addiss does his usual magic of weaving word with image in another classic book. I wish I could do that.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely to the eye and ear, April 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Haiku People: Big And Small In Poems And Prints (Hardcover)

"Haiku People" combines the elegance of traditional Japanese haiku with the beauty of Japanese woodblock prints (in color and black & white). The design of the book especially nice - it is a pleasure to look at. The book includes brief backround information on the poets and artists, as well as an introductory essay on the multiple interpretations of haiku. The poems are divided into subjects of childhood, maturity and old age. Some of the translations are not my favorites, but others I do prefer. The book is a good introduction to haiku because it contains many of the great masters of haiku as well as other noteworthy works by anonymous poets.