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on January 11, 2017
After reading Robert Hass's Essential Haiku, this book is essential. Its focus on Bashō's life and how his work reflects his zen outlook was a nice detour that refreshed my love of the form.
on October 21, 2011
I bought a book of Basho's haiku once. This book is what I was looking for. Now I've found it, and will read it several times, I'm sure after having finished it for the first time.
Frankly, I do think it helps to have some background in Buddhist thought, but as the author points out, the central themes are also manifest in poetry without that association, and that is how it should be because these things are based upon human experience, not upon any particular ideology.
So, in summary, I highly recommend it, and thanks so much for the reviewers before me upon whose recommendation I bought and read it.
Frankly, I do think it helps to have some background in Buddhist thought, but as the author points out, the central themes are also manifest in poetry without that association, and that is how it should be because these things are based upon human experience, not upon any particular ideology.
So, in summary, I highly recommend it, and thanks so much for the reviewers before me upon whose recommendation I bought and read it.
on September 23, 2011
I really enjoyed reading this. I thought it might just be a bunch of Haiku's but it's a short story about the life of Matsuo Basho who seems to have made the Haiku famous outside of Japan.
My favorite passage from the book, "In his poems and in his teachings of other poets, Basho set forth a simple, deeply useful reminder: that if you see for yourself, hear for yourself, and enter deeply enough this seeing and hearing, all things will speak with you and through you." Simply put, the answers are within. It's important to remember to separate your mind from the noise.
My favorite passage from the book, "In his poems and in his teachings of other poets, Basho set forth a simple, deeply useful reminder: that if you see for yourself, hear for yourself, and enter deeply enough this seeing and hearing, all things will speak with you and through you." Simply put, the answers are within. It's important to remember to separate your mind from the noise.
on March 9, 2015
This book is a reflection in the life of Basho, the most famous haiku poet. It gives background to the poetic form, then tells how Basho wrote haiku. Nothing is said about haiku after Basho or from any place besides Japan. This book does a great job at what it sets out to do, but provides a more limited view than I was looking for.
on August 18, 2015
This was my introduction to "what Haiku was and its beginning" and I simply found it great. If you are new to Haiku and want to learn more this is a great start.
on August 11, 2015
A wonderful look at what haiku means and Basho, the guy that started this poetic form.
on December 30, 2016
This is not only a good introduction to Matsumoto Basho and the origins of haiku, but it also offers insight on the writing of poetry and the role of the poet.
on November 1, 2012
First, let me say that I love the poetry of author Jane Hirshfield. This book provides many of the tools for building a haiku, like sensativity to the moment and to one's surroundings. Jane provides an excellent analysis of Basho's great works and the different periods of the 17th Century in which he wrote. This book should be an inspiration to all aspiring poets, especially those interested in haiku. I give it the highest rating.
on April 8, 2014
This gentle volume sets forth a solid foundation for those who want to appreciate haiku and for those who want to capture their thoughts and impressions in this disciplined verse. There is more to haiku than counting syllables and Ms. Hirshfield covers the spirit of this form as well as the mechanics. It is worth reading if only for the insights into language and expression it offers.
