Kobayashi Issa

4 Must-Read Kobayashi Issa Poems

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Everything I touch

‘Everything I touch’ by Kobayashi Issa speaks emotionally on what the speaker receives in return when they reach out with tenderness.

This poem is the poet's best-known and widely regarded as his masterpiece. Kobayashi Issa was a famous haiku poet from Japan. His poetry is characterized by its simplicity, sensitivity, and insight into the human condition. His works often touch on themes of nature, love, and suffering, and reflect his deep compassion for all living things. In this specific poem, he speaks to nature as well as a human desire for companionship.

Everything I touch

with tenderness, alas,

pricks like a bramble

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The Snow is Melting

‘The Snow is Melting’ is a playful and moving haiku that captures the essence of Issa’s poetic beliefs and values.

Kobayashi Issa's signature warmth and focus on the ordinary shine through in this haiku. He often celebrated the small, tender moments of rural life, and this poem is a perfect example of that sensitivity. His empathy and Buddhist outlook on impermanence inform the poemโ€™s fleeting joy. This can be observed through the symbolic snow, which becomes the epitome of impermanence. However, this theme is also highlighted through the cyclical nature of not only the seasons, but also human behaviour, as the children emerge from their houses to play.

The snow is melting

and the village is flooded

ย ย ย ย ย ย with children.

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O snail

โ€˜O 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 

Kobayashi Issa was a prominent Japanese poet of the 18th century known for his haiku poems that captured the essence of everyday life and nature. In 'O snail,' Issa's poetry reflects his keen observation and appreciation for the small wonders of nature, portraying the snail as a humble and resilient creature. This poem is widely considered to be his best.

O snail,

climb Mt. Fuji,

but slowly, slowly

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The world of dew is, yes

โ€˜The world of dew is, yesโ€™ by Kobayashi Issa should inspire readers to consider the meaning of life and the beauty of nature.ย 

This is a good, if somewhat confusing, example of Issa's poetry. His verse often evokes a sense of empathy and connection, showcasing his deep appreciation for the fleeting beauty found in the world. This is something that's seen, in an interesting way, within this poem.

The world of dew is, yes,

a world of dew,

but even so

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