Yesterday was apparently World Book Day. In other words, for me it was the same as every other day ending in 'y.' Everyday is book day around here. The book I finished yesterday was this one:
I loved it--both the haiku collection and the artwork that accompanies it. You can see one example of the art there on the cover. The book has many more equally beautiful artworks throughout. The collection of haiku is quite good and includes well known poets and those that are lesser known, both men and women. The poems are presented in English translation, followed by the Japanese in the Japanese script, and finally in romaji. All of the poems described an awareness of a moment in time--sometimes beautifully tranquil, sometimes less so. There are also humorous poems, such as:
The flies
have taken a liking
to my bald head.
---Ozaki Hosai
There is a general introduction to the book, in which Wilson lays out some basics about haiku, including the importance of seasons. He informs readers that traditionally, seasons have been divided "not only into the main four, but into twenty-four subdivisions, which in turn are broken down into seventy-two mini-seasons." (p 9) While the words referring to the season might not be as obvious to someone who isn't familiar with each of these mini-seasons and the usual happenings in nature or among humans, Japanese people would know. The book is divided into a more manageable 5 sections--spring, summer, autumn, winter, and New Year. Each of these sections has its own introduction as well, which increased my enjoyment of the book. This was a great book with which to celebrate World Book Day or any day.
7 comments:
As is the case in your house, Shari, World Book Day is celebrated here every day. What would life be without books? I am glad that you drew attention to the artwork in the volume of haikus. Good art enhances a book in so many ways and is for me always an enjoyable addition to the text. I have no doubt that many Japanese aficionados of haiku would be greatly impressed by, and appreciative of, your insightful review. As am I!
I don't even want to consider a life without books, David! About 20 years ago, Bill and I interviewed a 104 year-old woman. She was unable to read anymore because of failing eyesight and audiobooks were a problem because of hearing issues. Even so, her face lit up when she talked about books. She spoke for quite some time about a book she won in elementary school and how she felt when the Oregon State Library was created and she could send away for a book to borrow. She lived in a very rural part of the state and this would have been over a century ago. Those books stayed with her for all those years.
Yes, every day is a book day here too ... so nice to sit a while and read a few pages.
All the best Jan
Yes indeed!
Haiku is wonderful. And if it is illustrated with art, I bet it is even better. Your world book day is like my world book day, every day is world book day. I have 3 books going right now. I get to go to 1930's English (a mystery), 2010 Iceland (another mystery) and 1990's North Dakota and Minnesota (a Louise Erdich book). Thanks for sharing this volume. I'm going to put it in my wish list as it looks like something I would enjoy. Have a super weekend.
I love the art in this book as much as the poetry! Your reading sounds fab! I just finished a book about the connections between mathematics, art, and nature. It was an e-book from NetGalley. Now I'm going to pick up one of my own books--got it at a charity shop, but don't really know too much about it. The book doesn't say much and I didn't want to read too much about it online in case of spoilers. It's by Mary Wesley, though, and I'm curious to read some of her work. Charity shop finds are great for that! If I don't like it, it'll go in the pile for donation. I've got 3 others on my 'currently reading' shelf on Storygraph, but they are being randomly picked up at the moment.
You have an excellent weekend, too :-)
Every day is a book day for me too!
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