Chiyo-Ni: Woman Haiku Master

by Patricia Donegan, Yoshie Ishibashi

The first major translation of the haiku poet Chiyo-ni, this books contains over 100 haiku, presented in both Japanese script and romaji, with an English translation.

Genres: Poetry, Japan

280 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1998

Reviews

[Eadweard · Rating 4 out of 5]

first dream -
even after awakening
the flower's heart the same



---
the moon's shadow
also pauses -
cherry blossom dawn



---
Full moon
Stepping through the snow
The sound of the stones



---
first winter rain
the bamboo somewhere
in the dawn



---
winter rain
in one room
yesterday, today passes



---
one must bend
in the floating world
snow on the bamboo



---
sewing things -
I fold in dreams
on a December night

[Catherine Corman · Rating 5 out of 5]

the path of the lily is to bow her head

-Chiyo-ni

[Andō]

Worth every penny. If you're a student of haiku, this book is a must. If you're seeking inspiring women in the arts, and the spiritual path, this book is a must.

[Kristine Thurston · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly rich book. Had get it through interlibrary loan as it is out of print. I hope this changes in the future. The introductory material on her life and the culture of her time was equally valuable.

[Lawrence Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book of haiku -- by the greatest woman haiku poet!!!

[Miriam Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s kind of nothing to compare this book to! It’s so rare and important, and only recently re-published. I waited forever to read it and have a copy.

Enjoyed a lot of it - thorough and beautiful analysis, history, biography, and poems.

So what’s missing? Just not a 5 reading experience for me. I wound up splitting my time reading from the first half - bio and history - and the second half- haiku and renga.

[Paul Mena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just a collection of great haiku, this is a scholarly work detailing the life and literary world of Chiyo-ni. As such, it is not a quick read, but is well worth the effort for those interested in learning about a haiku poet worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Basho, Issa or Buson.

[Breeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

In April, the month of poetry, it was so refreshing to find a woman who lived fully, and whose gifts were recognized and widely celebrated. This book tracing the life of a haiku master amongst the great, all the greater herself for holding her own place in Japanese culture.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is out of print, which is a shame because the work of Chiyo-ni should be more accessible to English language readers of haiku.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

"meditating on the theme of hototogisu (the cuckoo or nightingale), given to her by her haiku master"

translated by Patricia Donegan and Yoshie Ishibashi

[Don Wentworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collection of haiku, translated and annotated by Patricia Donegan and Yoshie Ishibashi.