One of the best-known Haiku poets of all time, Kobayashi Issa was a prolific Japanese poet of the Edo period. Considered a master of his genre, his works are revered for their humour, sensitivity, and intelligence.
Issa spent a lot of time writing about nature, and his poems are filled with vivid descriptions of various flora, animals, and natural settings. As he was interested in the human psyche, his writing also explores themes of loss, grief, and the fleeting nature of life.
Issa endured a number of personal catastrophes, such as the loss of his children and a fire that destroyed his home, but he never wavered in his devotion to his craft and wrote up to the time of his passing. His works have received numerous translations and are still praised for their exquisiteness and enduring truths.
‘Everything I touch’ by Kobayashi Issa speaks emotionally on what the speaker receives in return when they reach out with tenderness.
Everything I touch
with tenderness, alas,
pricks like a bramble
‘The Snow is Melting’ is a playful and moving haiku that captures the essence of Issa’s poetic beliefs and values.
The snow is melting
and the village is flooded
ย ย ย ย ย ย with children.
โO snailโ by Kobayashi Issa is a well-known poem that celebrates nature while also inspiring readers to take their time to overcome great obstacles.ย
O snail,
climb Mt. Fuji,
but slowly, slowly
โThe world of dew is, yesโ by Kobayashi Issa should inspire readers to consider the meaning of life and the beauty of nature.ย
The world of dew is, yes,
a world of dew,
but even so