The Art of Haiku: Its History Through Poems and Paintings by Japanese Masters, by Stephen Addiss

(338 pp., Shambhala Publications, 2012)

Poetry lovers should rejoice over the publication of this book, which traces the history and development of Japanese haiku and the poetic traditions from which it was born. As you might imagine, The Art of Haiku is filled with exquisite haiku, featuring a thorough examination of the life and work of several masters of the form, including Basho, Buson, Issa and Shiki. The author, Stephen Addiss, often adds a commentary to a series of poems, highlighting the themes and historical context, a format first used by the legendary twentieth-century British commentator R. H. Blyth, one of the first Westerners to introduce English language readers to the haiku as a serious literary form.

Haiku has become quite popular outside of Japan, but reading this book reveals a craft and sensibility unique to the Japanese masters. Haiku can evoke a season, the bittersweet nature of life and death, all within a mere few strokes of a brush.

Such precision and range is shown in the following two classic haiku:

Buddha’s birthday—
the womb is only
a brief shelter
—Buson

in this world
even butterflies keep busy
making a living
—Issa

Many haiku poets were also fine calligraphers and painters, and Addiss also offers beautiful reproductions of their graphic art. The Art of Haiku is a work of art itself, beautifully produced and worthy of its contents. I give it my highest recommendation.

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From the Spring 2013 issue of Inquiring Mind (Vol. 29, No. 2)

Haiku

Wes “Scoop” Nisker is an author, radio commentator, Buddhist meditation teacher and performer. His books include the national bestseller Essential Crazy Wisdom (Ten Speed Press, 2001). His CDs, DVDs, books and teaching schedule are available at www.wesnisker.com, where he also continues to publish blog posts. Nisker cofounded Inquiring Mind in 1984.