Connie’s Reviews > The Poetry of Chiyo-ni: The Life and Art of Japan's Most Celebrated Woman Haiku Master > Status Update

Today in February, having been invited to this place
–Soen (Chiyo-ni)

賑はひの　 ものにすぐれて　 ぼたん哉
nigiwai no　 mono ni sugurete　 botan kana

in this lively place
the peony
most beautiful

–Soen (Chiyo-ni)

明やすき夜　 も待た朝月
akeyasuki yo mo　 habeta asatsuki

the waning night
the morning moon awaits

-Suejo

Note: This is a tanrenga or dialogue/short-linked poem, written between Chiyo-ni and her close friend and disciple Suejo, which reflects the joy and deep intimacy of their relationship.

In mid-February I went down the mountain to Matto; the flowers were in half-bloom; I was so happy to meet this nun living the Way of Haikai
–Chiseki

山に寝し　 けがれもゆめか　 花の本
yama ni neshi　 kegare mo yume ka　 hana no moto

under cherry blossoms I wonder
was the dust* from the mountains
but a dream?

–Chiseki

朧押合ふ　 中に朝月
oboro oshiau　 naka ni asatsuki

in the middle of dense haziness
the morning moon

–Chiyo-ni

Note: In 1765 Chiseki, a young haiku poet, visited Chiyo-ni for the first time. Together they wrote this tanrenga, which expresses their joy in meeting each other—as if he came out of a dream, as if she saw the morning moon.

*The word kegare is translated here as "dust," and according to Buddhist tradition, literally means "defilement." Perhaps he is showing his humility in coming from the unrefined countryside; he may also be dusty from lodging in the mountains on his way to town to see Chiyo-ni.