Haiku Menagerie: Living Creatures in Poems and Prints

A wonderful juxtaposition of woodblock prints paired with haiku poems.The book divides the creatures into categories based on their actions so we have "walkers" and "fliers" and "crawlers" and "swimmers". Issa, of course, is well-represented since he dealt with creatures in so many of his haiku. However, the inclusion of lesser-known haijin is certainly welcome. Has anyone not related to the following: There's nothing he doesn't know -- the cat on the stove Fusei Lovingly crafted and published, this book makes a thoughtful and classy gift. I have recommended this volume to many friends and I recommend it to you.

This is an excellent book of haiku poetry to read from the master of the craft. The book is arranged into four major sections and addresses nature in the following fashions: walkers, flyers, crawlers, and swimmers. The haiku poems are written about animals, fowl, insects, creatures and the like in four major classifications. The connection between nature, mankind and the elements is blended together in this masterpiece. The next section of the book gives a biographical sketch of the artists who contributed their wonderful illustrations. Their artistic abilities cover animals and creatures, fowl, and insects from the four major areas of walkers, flyers, crawlers and swimmers. The final section is about the poets who are the featured writers in the book. Haikus from the masters, such as Basho, Issa and Buson will touch your soul. The book also gives a biographical sketch of some of the major female haiku poets who are discussed. The illustrators are listed by page as well. This is an excellent haiku book to read and enjoy. It is easy relaxing reading, not complicated, and is soothing to the mind, body and soul. Also recommended: I recommend reading, the Trilogy Poetic Literature series of A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul and Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul, which entails a series of haiku, senryu, and epulaeryu poems.

A wonderful juxtaposition of woodblock prints paired with haiku poems.The book divides the creatures into categories based on their actions so we have "walkers" and "fliers" and "crawlers" and "swimmers". Issa, of course, is well-represented since he dealt with creatures in so many of his haiku. However, the inclusion of lesser-known haijin is certainly welcome. Has anyone not related to the following: There's nothinghe doesn't know --the cat on the stoveFuseiLovingly crafted and published, this book makes a thoughtful and classy gift.I have recommended this volume to many friends and I recommend it to you.