Category: Matsuo Basho 松尾 芭蕉

rabbit-ear irisbow much it looks likeits image in water

a falling soundthat sours my earsplum rain

people growing oldthe youth of Ebisumakes them even older

from Kyoto’s many housesa crowd of ninety-nine thousandblossom viewing

the old womana cherry tree blooming in old ageis something to remember

the moon a signthis way, sir, to entera traveler’s inn

Today we hare the first day of spring in spite of the date.has spring comeor the year gone away?second last day

雪や砂馬より落ちよ酒の酔yuki ya suna uma yori ochiyo sake no yoi It’s Snowing!Falling off a buckskin horse(Please, don’t) drink and ride Matsuo Basho, Oi no Kobumi, Winter 1687-8

氷苦く偃鼠が咽をうるほせりkōri nigaku . enso ga nodo o . uruoseri Ice is bitter, in a rat’s mouth, but it quenches his thirst.Ice that’s bitter, in a rat’s mouth, just enough to shut him up Matsuo Basho, Winter 1683

年暮れぬ . 笠きて草鞋 . はきながらToshi kurenu . kasa kite waraji . haki nagara The year is fading,wearing a hat and straw sandals,while aspiring to keep it together Matsuo Basho, Nozarashi kikō, New Year, 1685