Japanese famous haiku in English
Haiku and Tanka by Masaoka Shiki

Haiku by Masaoka Shiki 柿くへば Kakikuheba鐘が鳴るなり Kaneganarunari法隆寺 Horyuji <English Translation>Chewing a persimmon,I hear the temple bell tollfrom Horyuji. いくたびも Ikutabimo雪の深さを Yukinofukasawoたづねけり Tadunekeri <English Translation>Time and time againI have asked the same question:How deep is the snow? Tanka by Masaoka Shiki くれなゐの Kurenaino二尺のびたる Nishakunobitaru薔薇の芽の Baranomeno針やはらかに Hariyaharakani春雨のふる Harusamenofuru <English Translation>In bright crimson redstretching up a full two […]

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Japanese famous tanka in English
Saito Mokichi's Tanka

死に近き (shinichikaki)母に添寝の (hahanisoineno)しんしんと (shinshinto)遠田(とほだ)のかはづ (tohodanokahadu)天に聞こゆる (tennikikoyuru) <English Translation> As she nears the end,I lie beside my mother,and through the quietfrom a field far awaythe frogs' cries rise to heaven. 最上川 (mogamigawa)逆白波の (sakashiranamino)たつまでに (tatsumadeni)ふぶくゆふべと (fubukuyufubeto)なりにけるかも (narinikerukamo) <English Translation> Now even whitecapson the Mogami Riverrise against the flowas the snowstorm blows and blowsas the evening turns to dusk. […]

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