An Introduction to Haiku: An Anthology of Poems and Poets from Basho to Shiki [Paperback]

Harold Gould Henderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 1958

Harold G. Henderson was, from 1927 to 1929, the Assistant to the Curator of Far Eastern Art at the Metropolitan Musuem of Art. In 1930 he went to Japan, where he lived the following three years. On his return to this country he joined the faculty at Columbia University, where he taught Japanese and initiated a course in the history of Japanese art. He retired in 1955. His published works include The Bamboo Broom, Surviving Works of Sharaku (with Louis V. Ledoux), and A Handbook of Japanese Grammar. He has also translated H. Minamoto's Illustrated History of Japanese Art, etc. Mr. Henderson lives in New York City.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; First Edition edition (October 20, 1958)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385093764
• ISBN-13: 978-0385093767
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #967,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential introduction for those interested in haiku, March 25, 2000

By 

Kristie Rubendunst (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Haiku: An Anthology of Poems and Poets from Basho to Shiki (Paperback)

Although Henderson's book is out-of-print (originally published in 1958), and his translations are stylistically out-of-date (i.e., rhymed English haiku), this is an essential, pocket-sized anthology. Henderson intersperses his chronological presentation of haiku, in both transliterized Japanese (romaji) with English translation, by major historical masters with analysis throughout. I am on my second paperback -- the first fell apart from constant use!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful Introduction to Haiku, March 12, 2002

By 

Patrick Darden (Watkinsville, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to Haiku: An Anthology of Poems and Poets from Basho to Shiki (Paperback)

I have rarely encountered better translations of Haiku. Henderson brought the extended meanings of the words across. Double and triple entendres, startling juxtapositions, contextual clues, everything. These are not mere literal translations--they work on multiple levels to extend the meaning of the poetry, to reflect the possible readings by literate Japanese readers.

Poetic translation is an art that requires deep understanding of two languages, poetic heritages, and metaphorical/imagistic libraries. Henderson's translations are unique in their quality.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully done, May 23, 2006

By 

S. Mann (Carlisle, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to Haiku: An Anthology of Poems and Poets from Basho to Shiki (Paperback)

As Henderson points out in his introduction, most translators are traitors. Though this is so in many cases, the pieces that he selected work well and push the envelope of what good translation of poetry of all kinds should be, regardless of the original language.

This is an excellent pocket anthology for any lover of Haiku and other short form poetry to carry with them always.