卯の花

Issa 一茶 1821

卯の花に布子の膝の光哉

u no hana ni nunoko no hiza no hikari kana

David’s English

the deutzia blossoms

light up

my lap

Not translated: the subject of the haiku is wearing padded cotton clothing (nunoko). http://cat.xula.edu/issa/

sakuo renku & renga

初夏に綿入れ病疑う

syoka ni wataire yamai utagau

in early summer

wearing cotton cloth

Are you sick?

春の愁い

Masajo 真砂女 1955 age 49

人のそしり知つての春の愁ひかな
hito no soshiri shitte no haru no urei kana

Lee & Emiko の英訳

people’s censure
I know all about it…
sorrow in spring

季語; 春､ 春の愁い

In a small town people are more concerned about what other
are doing. From my hair style to the clothes I
wore, I was the target of their curiosity and objections. Being flamboyant for a small town, I took this interest as a matter of course.

sakuo renku

胸の想いを知る人ぞ無し

Nobody know
my passion in my heart

sakuo haiga

藪蚊

ssa 一茶 1811 age 49

名月や薮蚊だらけの角田川
meigetsu ya yabu ka darake no sumida-gawa

David’s English

harvest moon--
Sumida River thick
with mosquitoes

sakuo renku

痒さに耐えて名句を詠まん
kayusani taete meiku wo yoman

enduring the itch
I will make excellent haiku

sakuo haiga

花疲れ

Masajo 真砂女 1955 age 49

坐りたるまゝ帯とくや花疲れ
suwaritaru mama obit toku ya hanazukare

Lee & Emiko’s English

without standing up
I untie my obi---
blossom viewing fatigue

Seasonal word: cherry blossm fatigue ( spring )

Note: An obi ( kimono sash ) is usually tied and untied in standing position.

sakuo renku

独り住まいの勝手気ままに
hitori sumai no katsute kimama ni

being single life
do as like as I can

sakuo haiga

繭のくそ

Issa 一茶 1824 age 62

門々に青し蚕の屎の山
kado-gado ni aoshi kaiko no kuso no yama

David’s English

at gate after gate
green hills
of silkworm poop

http://cat.xula.edu/issa/

sakuo haiga

Eighth month, Issa divorced after three month marriage.
While he was suffered by stroke.

Renku

繭を作らず我が庵捨てる
mayu wo tsukirazu waga iho suteru

without bearing cocoon
giving up my hut

花の雨

Masajo 真砂女 1955 age 49

鏡台にぬきし指輪や花の雨
kyo^dai ni nukishi yubiwa ya hana no ame

Lee & Emiko’s English

on the dressing table
the ring removed from my finger---
cherry blossom rain

Seasonal word: cherry blossom rain ( spring )

sakuo haiga

若駒に曳かれ恋路行かん
wakakoma ni hikare koiji ikan
pulling by young horse
wish to go on love road

顔を並べる

Issa 一茶 1812 age 50

今来たと顔を並べる乙鳥哉
ima kita to kao wo naraberu tsubame kana

David’s English

lining up
with newcomers' faces...
swallows
.
http://cat.xula.edu/issa/

sakuo haiga

Mrs. Kakyo Orimoto was Issa’s haiku student as well as reliable sponsor.
1810 July she was died, he knew it but couldn’t attend her funnel ceremony.
After two years on her memorial day, he came to her tomb to pray for her soul.

生まれざりせば

Masajo 真砂女 1955 age 49

生まれざりせばと思うとき雁帰る
umarezariseba to omou toki kari kaeru

Lee & Emiko’s English

when I think
I should never have been born---
departing geese

I was extravagant in my way of living, but never thought it was a happy life.
How many times have I thought of not coming into being ?

Seasonal word: departing geese ( spring )

sakuo haiga

ふぐ

Issa 一茶 1813

人鬼をいきどほるかよ鰒の顔
hito oni wo ikido^ru ka yo fugu no kao

David’s English

are you mad
at the human goblins?
face of the pufferfish

http://cat.xula.edu/issa/

sakuo haiga

Issa described himself as lucky puffer fish.
and his brother in law and mother as the human goblin.
Why?
At this time their dispute on inheritance
came to climax.