Shawn’s Comments (group member since Aug 21, 2007)

Shawn’s comments from the Haiku and waka group.

On my journey through haiku, I started reading Shiki, but I was really put off by him. His haiku just didn't measure up in to the previous three masters. Of course, he's the 4th master for a reason, but his writing just wasn't to my liking. I should give him another try.

Are there any haiku and/or waka books that you are planning to read in 2014? If so, what are they?

I love Saigyo and Basho. My library is full of books on haiku and waka. I can't get enough.

Phylicia wrote: "I'm studying Japanese and living in Japan and am from Portland, so thought I had no reason not to join this group. ;) I would like to get into haiku more, and also try my hand at reading it in Japa..."

Yay, Portland!

Jenna, thanks for sharing! I'll definitely check out your book.

One of my favorites is "Basho and His Interpreters"

Slowly but surely, we're gaining members! We should try and start a weekly discussion or something. Pick a topic, post it, and discuss. Any thoughts or ideas on where to start?

Yes! Discussion!

Very nice! Thanks for sharing the post!

“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.” - Bashō

Welcome, Harley! It's nice to have a published haiku author in the group. Hopefully the group will become a little more active. Keep on posting!

We're on a roll - we're up to 13 people. The sky is the limit!

Feel free to start some conversations about haiku and waka. Please!

I didn't realize that there were now 10 people in this Group. Is there anything that anyone would like to see in this group? Discussion starters? Book recommendations?

What does everyone think?

How did everyone get interested in haiku?

For me, I was in Powell's Bookstore in Portland, OR, and I just happened upon the haiku section. I thumbed through some books and I ended up buying a couple. This was 3 years ago or so, and I've been reading books on Basho, Saigyo, Buson, the Manyoshu, and a bunch of others.

I started reading the Manyoshu, but I'm not very happy with the translation. It was translated 60 years ago and it doesn't seem like the translation was very loyal to the original Japanese. Does anyone know of a better, more recent translation?

I noticed that you read a book on Death Poems. After I started reading a lot of Basho and Saigyo, I started wondering about death poems and if there was a compilation of them. I guess there is, and I guess that I'm going to be buying it.

Come on! You know you want to join!

Thanks for joining the Haiku and waka group. Let's have some good, lively discussions.