Pathway to Japanese Literature

Preface

Previously, to commemorate the 500th issue of *Hototogisu*, I published a book titled *Five Hundred Haiku* through Kaizōsha.
This was a selection of five hundred haiku chosen from those I composed between around Meiji 24 or 25 (1891 or 1892), when I first began writing haiku, up to Shōwa 10 (1935).
Recently, as Sakurai Shoten had expressed interest in publishing some work of mine, I resolved to commemorate *Hototogisu*’s 550th issue by selecting five hundred and fifty haiku from those I composed thereafter and publishing them.
Since resolving to do so, a considerable number of days passed.
The current issue of *Hototogisu* being published this month reached its 561st number.
Be that as it may, since I selected five hundred and fifty haiku over approximately six years from Shōwa 11 to Shōwa 15 (1936–1940), compared to choosing five hundred haiku from a span of roughly forty-five years for the earlier *Five Hundred Haiku*, one might argue there is some disparity in rigor. But ultimately, this is a commemorative publication, and there is no particular need to dwell on such matters with excessive strictness.
Though I titled the book *Five Hundred and Fifty Haiku*, I believe it ended up containing around five hundred seventy or eighty haiku.
That, too, is something that need not be considered with strictness.

I am seventy years old this year.
Thus it became of itself a commemoration of my seventieth year.

Shōwa 18 (1943), May 19

At Kamakura Cottage

Takaha Kyoshi

Note: The haiku titled “Milky Way” on page 161 of my earlier work *Five Hundred Haiku*, published by Kaizōsha, is hereby retracted.

Shōwa 11 (1936)

I was watching one duck among ducks.

January 2. Musashi Osawa Jōkō Temple.
Asahikawa Welcome Reception.

Amidst all that has withered completely, a purple mist flower.

January 4. Hyakkaen Garden – an impromptu gathering.
Suichikkyo, Aoi, Hanamino, Mika.

Vendors and those who linger—divine spring.

January 5. Musashino Sanshōkai.
Meguro Fudō; Ōkuni Residence.

Standing by withered reeds, I grow still.

January 8. Noh Haiku Gathering.
Hyakkaen Garden.

The grueling work of winter training—throats toughened by the cold.

January 18. Yanaka Honjōji Temple.
Harimaya Ichimon, Suichikkyo, Takeshi, Ritsuko, Hideyoshi.

Komata Ko’s work alone remained unchanged at Kashima-ryū.

February 16. Under the auspices of Kansō Tōdō, I embarked on the journey to France accompanied by Shoko.
At 3:00 PM, departed from Yokohama aboard the Hakone Maru.

My heart rides the spring tide—let us go forth.

February 19. Anchored at Kobe.
Hanakuma, Ginshōtei; attended the Kansai Dōjin Haiku Gathering.

Upon Departing Japan: Ten Plum Haiku

February 21 morning. Arrived at Moji.
Heishi hosted a banquet at Sangirō.

Behind lay the sleet-stricken wharf of Shanghai.

February 26. Aboard the Hakone Maru.

Spring tide—the window brimming with rolling.

February 29. Morning. Departed Hong Kong.

In the Indian quarter where faces scowled—the heat.

Dressed in finery, the Malay woman’s bare feet.

Bare Indian stalwarts—may they be fortunate.

Evening cool—the flame tree avenue proceeds thus.

March 4. Arrived at Shingapōru.
Ishida Keiji and Higashimori Tatsuo visited.
Next came Mitsui & Co. branch manager Matsumoto Kimishige and his wife, Mitsubishi Corporation branch manager Yamaguchi Masaru, Miyaji Hideo, and others aboard.
Under Keiji’s guidance, they took Shoko along and proceeded by car to visit Sonoe’s Rubber Plantation managed by Okuda Saiha.
Accompanied by Yokomitsu Riichi.
On the return journey, they stopped at Tanjong Katong’s Tamagawa Garden and Keiji’s residence among other places, then alighted at the Botanical Garden—today’s haiku excursion site.
From there, they took a brief rest at Kūyōkyo and dined at Shinkiraku.
Haiku gathering.

They saw Sumatra, where lightning flashed, off the port side.

March 5. Anchored at Shingapōru.
They paid respects at Futabatei Shimei’s grave in the Japanese communal cemetery.
Keiji and Kansō accompanied them.
Shoko got off at Kūyōkyo en route.
On the return trip, they stopped by Keijikyō and returned to the ship.
They departed at noon.

Rice fields here, a birdcage there—how like Japan this seems.

March 6. Arrived at Hinan; went ashore.

No moon; the desert darkens—this loneliness.

March 21. 3:00 PM. Entered port at Suez.
By land they reached Cairo and stayed one night at the Metropolitan Hotel.

Spring clouds like a massive gemstone

April 19. Aboard the Hakone Maru, after discussions with Kansō and Tomojirō, he abandoned the plan to return to Japan via the United States.
In the afternoon, he visited the flower fields in Sunfleet Village with the Matsuoka couple, Kansō, First Engineer Machida, Shoko, Tomojirō, and others.

Crossing the pontoon bridge—Koblenz of pear blossoms.

Pear blossoms on both banks—the Rhine ferryboat.

A snowcapped mountain rises just above Pear Blossom Village.

April 21. Rhine River.

Tree buds—where might Sojū’s house be?

April 21. Schloss Hotel; viewed the town of Heidelberg from the balcony.

The land was cultivated up to the mountain with a watchtower.

April 22. Departed at 1:05 PM; immersed themselves in selecting miscellaneous verses during the carriage ride.
Nightfall found them arriving in Berlin.
They were welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Fujimuro Masuzo of Mitsubishi Corporation and entered Yamato Inn.
Striking sights lined the roadway.

The night’s conversation blossomed into a haiku gathering—lilac flowers.

April 24. Guided by Mrs. Fujimuro’s hospitality, they toured a Japanese school and attended a lecture.
Lunch followed at Akebono.
From there they surveyed Olympic grounds,
paused at Kā Dē Bē Department Store,
then returned to lodgings.
Kato Sanoyu from Mainichi Shimbun called upon them.
Evening brought a dinner banquet at Watanabe Juro’s residence—Mitsubishi’s branch manager.
Later they convened an intimate verse session with Acting Ambassador Inoue and his wife,
Mr. Magonda of the Japan Institute,
and the Fujimuros among others.

Spring breeze—pillar statues supporting the roof.
April 26. Mrs. Watanabe and the Fujimuro couple (as hosts) proceeded to Potsdam.
It was precisely a Sunday.

Potsdam Palace.

A bento of flowers eaten with chopsticks—come and see!

April 26. They drove further to Wörder, a famed cherry blossom site.
They ate the Japanese bento Mrs. Fujimuro had brought.
The crowd watched with suspicion.

At the border station’s currency exchange—how the daylight lingered.

April 27. With the Fujimuro couple, they visited the Japanese school again and lunched at the Japanese Association.
At 1:50 PM, seen off by the Ito couple, Michiko, Barming, the Bijurga sisters, Kyōgoku, Shinohara, Takada, Terai, Masutani, Sera, and Sengoku, they departed Tsuo Station for the German-Dutch border.

My straw sandals tread upon London’s spring grass.

April 28. Before seven in the morning, they arrived at Hāutchi Port.
From there, they took the train and arrived at Liverpool Street Station.
They were welcomed by Kaminohata Kansō, Hatta Ichirō, Matsumoto Kakuto, Makihara Satoru, Kasai Mitsuka, Ariyoshi Yoshinari, Takahashi Chōshun, and Iwaki Moritaro, proprietor of Tokiwa.
From there, under Mr. Kakuto’s guidance, they toured central London with both Kansō and Ichirō, then rested at the Tokiwa main store on Denmark Street.
They entered the Tokiwa Annex on Tufnell Park Road.
Komai Gonnosuke and Mr. Kogaki Tetsurō of the Asahi Shimbun visited.
While waiting for dinner, they held a small haiku gathering.

Inscribing names—the guestbook at a spring field teahouse

April 30. With Kakuto as their host, they set out for Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace.
Kansō, Ichirō, Tomojirō, and Shoko accompanied him.

A spring temple—the pipe organ resounds throughout.

April 30. Shakespeare’s Bodai Temple.

A spring journey—might I buy that house for sale?

April 30. Around three o’clock, they departed from Shakespeare’s Bodai Temple for the return journey.

They conveyed the lame man’s wife by car toward the flowers.

May 2. Poetic excursion at Kew Gardens.
Accompanying persons: Hatta Ichirō, Toki Haruo, Itō Tōri, Ariyoshi Garō, Moriwaki Jōji, Ōbayashi, Kogaki Tetsurō, Ikeda Tokumasa, Mrs. Makihara, Mrs. Hoyanagi, Ono Tatsuhito, Hoyanagi Saiki, Ono Shizume, Tomojirō, Shoko.
In the evening, they returned to the Japanese Association and held a recitation after dinner.

The Japanese flower lanterns are lit.

May 6, 9 AM. They departed from Victoria Station, seen off by Kawamura, Ito, Matsumoto, Mrs. Kasai, Hatta, and Iwasaki; arrived at Dover Station around noon.
They crossed the strait on a British ship, boarded a train from Calais Station in France around 1:30 PM, and arrived in Paris around 5 PM.
They were welcomed by Ueno and immediately entered the Majestic Hotel.
Matsuo Kuninosuke visited accompanied by Alfred Smura; then, taking Sato Junzo along, they called on Julian Vocance.

Dinner.
Albert Ponzan joined them at the table; together they enlivened French haikai discussions and took a commemorative photograph.
They improvised at the Vocance residence.

The handkerchief’s butterfly grows thin yet keeps fluttering.

May 8. At 10:00 AM, they arrived in Marseille.
They stopped by the steamship company and boarded the Hakone Maru.
Consul Yamashita of Marseille came aboard.
They departed at four o’clock.
Tomojirō stood on the pier with Consul Yamashita and others, seeing them off at length.
In the port area, they passed the Hakozakimaru carrying Seizaburo.

In the Red Sea—swiftly floats the ship; homeward sails race.

May 14. They passed through the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea.

The tropical sea has swallowed the sun.

This heat—the stokers might go mad; the ship won’t stop.

May 17. They sailed through the Red Sea.
The heat grew ever more intense.
Squalls hollowed the waves as they advanced.

May 21. They encountered their first squall.

The spanning Rio Archipelago formed a folding screen.

A crocodile resides; the evening tide fills the coconut-palm beach.

The electric fan rotated; hot wind blew forth.

May 30, morning. They arrived at Singapore Port.
Okuda Saiha, Kone Isao, Morino Kiyoshi, Yamaguchi Masaru, Miyaji Yoshio, Mr. and Mrs. Shimura Kūyō, and Tamaki Hokurō came aboard.
They went to Tamagawa-en, attended a haiku meeting at the Japanese Association, then joined Morino’s invitation banquet and went again to the Japanese Association.
Late at night, they returned to the ship.

They landed in Shanghai’s rainy season with nostalgia.

June 8. At 7:00 AM, they arrived in Shanghai.
Horiba Sadaaki, Ōuchi Reisui, Shimomura Hibun, Hoshino Roto-butsu, Nakata Shūhei, and Nakahara Ōgarasu came aboard.
They disembarked, went to Hanzhong Garden in Nanshi, then attended a banquet hosted by Mitsubishi Corporation at Tsukinoya where they dined with Mr. Tanaka, branch manager of Mitsubishi Corporation, and others.
At 5:00 PM, they attended the Sumire-kai gathering at Shingetsu Kadan in Zhabei.
From 11:00, under the guidance of Takeuchi Yoshio of Mitsubishi Bank’s Shanghai Branch, they viewed a Chinese opera at the Golden Grand Theatre in Baxianqiao, French Concession.

Cool ship—welcomed on both sides by Tsushima and Iki.

June 10. The selection of miscellaneous poems was completed.
Tsushima became visible; Iki came into view.
A telegram arrived from the Osaka Asahi Kyushu Branch requesting the first haiku upon returning to Japan.

Returning: Seto’s summer sea like a painting

June 11. At six in the morning, they stepped out onto the deck and, together with Kansō, pointed at and spoke of the island mountains near their hometown Matsuyama, shrouded in deep morning mist. They kicked through the summer tide, returned, and stood on land.

June 11. Arrival at Kobe Port.
Nagoya’s Tanji Kajin, Kato Kasomura, and Kato Ryoya.
Takamatsu’s Murata Kimihane and Andō Rōfuki.
They were welcomed by Kyoto’s Matsuo Iwao, Hirao Shunrai, Tanaka Yae, Tabata Michie, and fifty or sixty others from the Keihanshin region.
They went to Toshio’s residence in Ashiya for dinner.
Following Asahikawa and Tomotsuki, Mieishi, Daima, Ruiu, Kumomogae, and Sojō came for the *Sarumin* study session and held a small haiku gathering.
After that, they joined the study session and returned to the ship around 1:00 AM.

The muddy crucian carp turned its belly and sank.

Fly repellent draped over too—the cat on the cat board.

June 19. Household Haiku Gathering.
At the publishing office’s adjacent room.

Morning glory seedlings spilling over the edge of the bamboo basket

June 22. Tamamo Haiku Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Sitting in a wicker chair—plants, trees, flowers, birds arrive.

Before me—summer trees and grasses sway into motion.

July 18. Fūsei’s invitation banquet.

Kōjimachi, Nagatachō, the official residence of the Vice Minister of Communications.

The moon hangs blue over the sweltering night town.

July 19. Publishing Office regular meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

A voyage unbound by night or day—cloud peaks.

July 26. Submission of haiku to the Osaka Tamamo-kai.

Though none would call it handsome—this indigo yukata

August 7. Household Haiku Gathering.

Atagoyama, a tea shop.

Ah, the rain glides smoothly through the hemp.

August 14. Sōjū-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Autumn waves kicked up—this ship that has returned.

August 18. In Kobe, they welcomed Tomojirō’s return to Japan.

Is it His Highness’s arrival now? A fan is placed.

August 19. At the Asahi Newspaper Company seats in Koshien, they viewed the National Secondary School Baseball Tournament.

The death anniversaries of haikai are many—dew on bush clover.

August 20. They were at the New Osaka Hotel.
Asahikawa Residence; they composed a memorial haiku.

Gently, the promise of someone’s visit—under the autumn moon.

August 20. They ate beef hot pot at Mitsuwa-tei Minami-ten in Aioi-cho before Kobe Station, then visited Yano Hōya in Okayama with Tomotsuki, Nabemura Asomi, Toshio, Ritsuko, and Tomojirō.

Autumn wind parts clothing and skin.

August 30. Household Haiku Gathering.
Fukasawa, Suichikkyo Residence.
Tanabata Festival.

In algae-thick water, I dip my hands and witness the marsh's truth.

September 6. Musashino Exploration Gathering.
Naritasan poetic excursion; they crossed Inba Marsh by boat.

Dawn breaks—and suddenly, an autumn fan.
Having looked closely—the humble painting on an autumn fan.
I had them place a mosquito coil on the garden stone—sitting at the edge.
At the stone basin—the rotating lantern’s play of light and shadow.

September 9. Suichikkyo’s invitation banquet.
Etsuhiko’s celebration of his appointment as a Member of the House of Peers.
Kinraku.

A woman risks her life to despise a caterpillar—how extraordinary!

September 11. Sōjū-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Autumn-weight kimono—tightening my posture for practice sessions.

September 14. Sasanari-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

When I open my eyes—the Kibune pampas grass stands arranged.

September 17. Kyoto for an overnight stay.

They were not necessarily intent on catching goby.

September 27. Suichikkyo hosted an invitation banquet.
Nagata Seiran served as guest of honor.
Tsukiji Kinraku.

Leaning on the railing—the moonless Sumida River.

October 1. Composed Impromptu.

My breath held fast—the wild autumn wind!

Something flying in—how terrifying the wild autumn wind!

October 3. 220th Day Gathering.
Shimizudani Park, Kaikōen.

Bashō Memorial Day—tracing back to distant Sōgi.

October 12. Sasanari-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Chikubu Island appears bowl-sized under autumn calm.

When the mushroom mountain clouds slightly—how desolate.

October 15. The Tsurubami-kai hosted a matsutake mushroom hunt at Mandara Mountain in Mano Village, Shiga District, Ōmi Province.
Along with Toshio, Tomojirō, Ōjō, Iwahō, and others.

The kingfisher’s solitary crimson flash has drawn to its close.

October 15. A banquet was held at the Ōtsu Kōyōkan Annex.

A broom at hand—promptly taken up to sweep fallen leaves.

October 16. Kansai Dōjinkai.
Sone along the Hankyu Line, Hoshigaoka Saryo.

Autumn's Kisogawa River—a name it truly bears.

October 18. Nagoya Botankai Convention Poetic Excursion.
They headed toward Japan Line Amusement Park.

A kitchen abundant with mountain bounty like mushrooms.

Drying rice stalks—mountain upon mountain along the Hida Road.

October 19. Endō Niraki hosted.
Last night they stayed at Yunoshima Ryokan in Hida Gero Hot Spring.
This morning they went to Takayama.
At Kakumasa, they had vegetarian cuisine.

I dislike curios but love Hida’s autumn.

October 19. It was said that Shirakawa-go was the true home of folk crafts; there was an exhibition hall for them.

Even now—the moon brightens a centennial memorial.

October 24. Ikegami Honmon-ji.
The Third-Generation Nakamura Utaemon Monument Erection Ceremony.
An inscription for Utaemon's portrait.

Reminiscence of Mount Hiei's Deep Autumn

On November 1， he had first encountered Shibuya Jirai at Yokokawa Chūdō long ago．
He was now serving as head priest of Kyoto’s Shinnyo-dō．
For his sixtieth birthday celebration， he had been asked to contribute a haiku．

Clapping hands to summon the maid—my wife laid up with a cold!

November 9. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The sacred lot’s ill omen drawn—falling leaves descend.

November 21. Kinoe-kai Gathering.
Kishimojin precincts.
At the Yoshieimon residence, a recitation was held.

Ashamed before men, unashamed before gods—my first shrine visit.

The gods merely rend—my first shrine visit.

To surmise divine will—how awe-inspiring—my first shrine visit.

December 7. Composed impromptu.

Snowy evening—at tea time, relying on haiku’s eternal world.

December 10. Around Taisho 5 or 6 [1916–1917], when we performed *Hachinoki* at the Kamakura Noh Theater, Kawagoe Morio kindly served as the waki.
Afterward, when I was asked to compose a haiku for a tea hanging scroll, I had forgotten the verse I had written. Kondo Inui, who had recently been invited to a tea gathering in Kawagoe where that scroll had been shown to him, recalled it and informed me of it.
Kawagoe was the tea master of the Hisada family.

The bonfire dies out—
the master of the overnight inn is gone.

December 11. A memorial haiku for Yuzuki Shōsui.
There was a time when he stayed overnight at Shōsuitei.

A withered banana plant—the stake too stood certain.

December 11. Sōjūkai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

A dog bites a battledore and heads to Inu Bessō.

December 25. Kamakura Haiku-kai.
Daibutsu Precinct, Nanpōen Garden.

Shōwa 12.

All day long, the windblown snow—is it not desolate?

January 2. Musashino Tanshōkai’s Niigata-bound excursion.

They stayed at Shinoda Ryokan.
They were welcomed by Mizuho, Sojū, and others.
In Giu’s spring sleeve—a left hand.

January 4. 220th Day Gathering.
Kinraku.

To the seven herbs, I further added yomena.

January 7. Kawasaki Rikichi's son Yasuo's wedding reception was held.

All played karuta beautifully, determined not to lose.

Having lost at sugoroku, they remained serenely beautiful.

January 8. Sōjūkai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Praising the sun—I bask in its light.

London’s thick fog recalled—still I bask.

Italy’s Sun Song—sunbathing persists.

January 11. Composed impromptu while waiting for the train at Kamakura Station with Tomojirō.

The painter has left; the plum blossoms bloom gracefully.

January 15. Family Haiku Gathering.
Koishikawa Botanical Gardens.

Wearing masks—there you and I were.

January 23. A gathering of colleagues in the capital, combined with a farewell for Seison.
Mukōjima Kōfuku-ji Temple.

Wings spread as they are, flowing—winter crow

Each time it caws, the branch bends—winter crow.

January 25. Tamamo Haiku-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Putting on makeup—in low spirits with a spring cold.

January 28. Marunouchi Club Haiku Gathering.

“Just as you are, stand beneath the red plum tree.”

January 31. Fukasawa, Suichikkyo Residence.

Seison Farewell Gathering.
Fruit-bearing flowers were present.
With guests in attendance: plum-blossomed eaves and tea’s steam.

February 7. Musashino Tanshōkai.
Sōshū, Shimosoga Plum Grove.
Kurai Kinshō Residence.

At the mausoleum stood a weeping plum—do you know it?

February 19. Family Haiku Gathering.
Shiba Park. Lotus pond.

Fleeting affection turns against me—spring’s lingering cold.

February 21. Publishing Office Regular Meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The doll’s face, as if noseless, sleekly smooth.

March 5. Family Haiku Gathering.
Shibuya Sakuragaoka, Endō Niraki Residence.

Though plucked time and again, still abundant in flowers—the shrine camellia.

March 7. Musashino Tanshōkai.
Bushū Ōsawa Plum Grove.

A single leaf stands dignified—propagation by cutting.

March 8. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The rain cleared, leaving gentleness in its wake—the spring sky.

March 14. Chanting Verse Gathering.

To make the comparison—like a spinning top bursting open.

March 20. *Japan and the Japanese* Aoi Guri Memorial Issue.
With Aoi Guri, I shared both profound intimacy and fierce contention.

Maids and servants came running out to welcome us—Flower Manor.

April 2. Family Haiku Gathering.
Hayama, Taira, Hatakeyama Villa.

Leaving one villa for another—a slope awash with flowers.

Thick trunk—how magnificent, the house cherry tree.

April 8. Shippō-kai.
Oiso, Takagi Villa.

Like flowers, like the moon, I shall entertain.

April 9. Tanaka Family New House Celebration Fan Haiku.
Acting in place of the proprietress.

As they plastered the ridges while reflecting back the hoe's gleam.

Plastering the ridges—tilting their heads earnestly.

April 12. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The tangle of manifold sentiments—spring's fading light.

April 18. Publishing Office Regular Meeting.

When the lid was removed, the kashiwa mochi lay pressed.

April 23. Kamakura Haiku Gathering.
Hayama, Suichikkyo Mountain Villa.

A bumblebee droned away like a stick.

April 26. Tamamo Haiku Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Snapped off a sprig of andromeda and held it to my hair—how it evoked the past.

Within layered warmth—kashiwa mochi.

May 6. 220th Day Gathering.
Ginza 6-chome, Mika Residence.

How inconspicuous—the seasonal robe change in matching hues.

May 10. Sasana-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The refreshing air of the season when wheat ears stand in full array.

May 13. Shippō-kai.
Musashisakai, Mochida Residence.

The season for mackerel—indeed, we partook of this.

May 14. Sōju-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

This inn—even the sun peering in molders.

The yellow of Enishida—even the rain cannot quench it.

May 16. Publishing Office Regular Meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Ceaseless waves of floating leaves lap upon each other.

May 21. Family Haiku Gathering.
Suichikkyo Celebration.
Shinobazu Pondside, Ugetsu-sō.

In its season, the rain fell—the seasonal robe change.

May 24. "Tamamo Ten-Haiku Collection (Fourth Session)"

Elderly one—gazing up at summer trees in peace

June 5. Suichikkyo Celebration.
Tsukiji, Kinraku.

Algae flowers—the marsh-crossing boat that mother and daughter rode.

June 6. Musashino Excursion.
Abiko, Taniguchi Villa.

Mulberries—the village girl with her father in tow.

June 11. Sōju-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

While watching, droop-laden roses scattered and accumulated.

June 14. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The crimson of hurriedly fanned uchiwa floated.

June 17. Hakusōkyo Self-Congratulatory Reception.
A dragonfly.

Stood majestically by the Southern magnolia’s blossom.

June 19. Hakusōkyo Retirement Celebration.
Hibiya Matsumotoro.

The jewel beetle trailed its iridescence and flew away.

June 20. Publishing Office Regular Meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Food scraps flowed away—such was the shipboard meal.

June 24. Marunouchi Club Haiku Gathering.

In the third-class waiting room, the napping man rose up.

July 3. Family Haiku Gathering.
Tokyo Station vicinity sketching.
At the publishing office, a recitation.

Parent bamboo with young bamboo added—three-trunked bamboo.

July 3. "Yamabiko" Fifth Anniversary Commemorative Haiku Gathering.
Sanshin Building.

Gazing up at the eucalyptus—the summer day faint.

July 11. 220th Day Gathering.
Kamakura, Zuisen-ji.

The night stall cart they pulled here remained untied.

July 14. Ginza Excursion.
Matsuya rear, Kannon Hall.

A bared breast for the child clinging close.

She adjusted her collar as though baring her skin.

July 18. Publishing Office Regular Meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

A sunken belly with its navel—submerged in water.

July 22. Marunouchi Club Haiku Gathering.

When moonlight graces us, I ponder this world where nights become revels.

July 24. Night, Spontaneous Composition.

The typhoon's lingering showers strike again and again.

July 26. Tamamo Haiku Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The large set net; summer sea’s great swells.

The swimmer, seawater dripping, searched for something.

Beneath the sunshade at the fishing pond—blue seawater.

August 1. Musashino Excursion.
Manazuru, Nippon Suisan Kaisha large set net.

Fireworks at the summer retreat beach—slightly desolate.

August 8. Early Summer Rain Gathering.
Suijin Yaomatsu.

Summer mountains—sometimes cloaked in clouds, sometimes clear.

August 25. Hakone Town, Hakone Hotel.

On the saury boat were fishermen hauling up nets alongside children.

September 5. Musashino Excursion.
Shiba Ward, Coast Avenue, Nippon Suisan Kaisha Freezing Department Shibaura Factory.

The woman at the attic window—autumn rain.

September 10. Ginza Excursion.
Kobiki-cho 3-chome Riverside, Asahi Club.

A barefoot woman treading upon lightning—

September 11. 220th Day Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The child’s death anniversary, the wife’s death anniversary too—autumn of spears.

September 19. Yoshida Kogaku of Dairen, unable to return to the homeland for his late wife’s third death anniversary due to the Incident keeping him stranded, had informed us that his late eldest son’s seventh death anniversary fell precisely on the day of the Shiki Memorial.

Soaring O-nishi and O-higashi—the moonlit roofs.

September 27. "Tamamo Ten-Haiku Collection (8th Session)"

A scarecrow alone guards this valley—ah.

October 11. Sasanare-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Gazed powerlessly at the fields where Kemi had settled.

October 11. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Elderly and children abound at the autumn festival.

October 15. Family Haiku Gathering.
Hikawa Shrine; hollyhocks abided.

He ate peanuts while reading *Crime and Punishment*.

October 16. Publisher’s Regular Meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Bearing fruit so poignantly—the small plant—ah.

October 27. "Tamamo Ten-Haiku Collection (9th Session)"

When I closed my eyes—today's brocade of fields and mountains—ah.

October 31. Kōyōen on the Hanshin Line, Hanhata.
Mashiko hosted a banquet.

Chishō-ni—people she had known long ago; pale autumn leaves.

Even now came a passing shower; pale autumn leaves.

November 3. Stayed in Makino, Kyoto.
Went to Kōetsu-ji, visited Giō-ji, and enjoyed Arashiyama.

The moon’s child was not Princess Kaguya.

November 8. Word came from Asahikawa that Sakurabashiko had given birth to her first son.
In reply, I composed a preface and had it conveyed to Sakurabashiko.

In the autumn sky, red streaks appeared as if formed.

Autumn sky—swayed like a jewel.

November 10. Ginza Excursion.
Matsuya Rear Nunnery.

Fallen leaves, unable to endure the stillness, fall—ah.

November 14. Special Haiku Recitation Gathering.
Hollyhock Residence.

Chrysanthemums lie prostrate before the lingering figure.

People have departed; chrysanthemums lean against the cold stone.

November 19. Family Haiku Gathering.
Somanaosan Villa.

Be drunk—grasping the cold aged hand, oh.

The law came coldly upon his life.

November 22. Tamamo Haiku Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

A single stepping stone climbed to its height.

November 24. 220th Day Gathering.
Kamakura Mountain, Chiho Sanso.

Nothing but the sorrowful small fish of shibazuke pickles—ah.

Rice gruel— / this grave concern / for the afterlife.

November 25. Marunouchi Club Haiku Gathering.

The withering garden lay as if within the pages of a tale.

There was a black stain—what they called the Gorohei persimmon.

This garden too withered in harmonious spousal accord—

November 30. Fūseikyo hosted a banquet.

A scarlet carp floated with a fallen leaf upon its nose.

Fallen leaves carpeted the ground like rough waves spread across shore.

December 2. Family Haiku Gathering.
Botanical garden sketching; invitation banquet at Shiika-tei.

A cow stands, takes two or three steps—the short day.

December 5. Musashino Exploration Gathering.
Yokohama, Koyasu district; Koyasu Farm.

Step on the iron plate, and it cries out—winter ditch.

December 8. Ginza Excursion.
Matsuya Rear, Nunnery.

Nanjing city under pouring artillery fire is like a furnace.

Even on such a night, the officers’ and soldiers’ campaign uniforms lay deep in frost.

Crimson winter plum richly fragrant—Yasukuni Shrine.

On December 9, he was asked by the Tokyo Asahi Shimbun to contribute a haiku on the fall of Nanjing.

Seeing a woman, seeing the man accompanying her—December’s haste.

December 11. 220th Day Gathering.
Matsuzakaya sketching; Jitsukaikyo.

My life—even this brief day I rue.

December 13. Night.
Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The inaugural volume must be prepared; let them celebrate us for it.

December 15. To compose a celebratory haiku for the sixtieth birthday of the person from Kazahaura.

Sharing stories, the car dashed through the town at dusk.

December 17. Family Haiku Gathering.
Afuhi Residence.

Lightly rising—the auspicious mochi mallet.

December 18. Publisher’s regular meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The winter sun soft, the winter trees soft—which was it?

The procession of Fuyuki Middle School students emerges into view.

December 22. *Ritsuko’s Haiku Collection* publication commemorative gathering.
Ueno Park, Umekawa.

Cold rain pours—a weeping plum amid the deluge.

Winter’s clarity—no blossoms remain yet the weeping plum endures.

December 24. Kamakura Haiku Gathering.
Yōzan, Kōfūen.

My years—now I exist within history.

December 25. Haiku Recitation Gathering.
Mukōjima Hyakkaen, Chitose.

Shōwa 13

Rather than engaging in idle talk at the first haiku gathering

January 1. With Asahikawa, Toshio, and Tomojirō, the first haiku gathering.

Solemnly, the crowd advanced to the first shrine visit.

Sacred sky—a lone winter crow.

January 2. Musashino Exploration Gathering.
Meiji Shrine first visit.

Japan Youth Hall.

Adjusting her hem, alone and quiet, she strikes the shuttlecock.

January 3. Mukōjima Kōfuku-ji Temple.
Asahikawa; welcoming Akikotojo.

The bonfire pitiful—tended as it tries to die out.

Sisters all adept at battledore shuttlecock.

January 7. Family Haiku Gathering.
Hyakkaen, Chitose.

Restlessly fading into dusk—the short days of old age.

January 8. 220th Day Gathering.

Kobikichō, the Tanaka residence.

Blazing, the Morning Star—a drifting sleep-bird.

January 10. Night.

Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Window light—removing the lid from the water mochi jar.

January 14. Sōjū-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

All finished applying winter fertilizer to the plum and cherry trees.

Spring waters—pretending to cast off a child, then stopping.

January 21. Family Haiku Gathering.
Hibiya Park.

Before the doll, the winter peony remained unbroken.

Though there was no particular reason, I waited for spring.

January 24. Tamamo Haiku Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The alcove flowers had already faded—within the pine-decked New Year period.

January 27. *Tamamo Ten-Haiku Collection (Twelfth Installment)*.

A winter crow leaps over a single ridge, beating its wings.

A frozen crane stretches its neck, tall in stature.

January 27. Marunouchi Club Haiku Gathering.

The kindness of someone building a bonfire for me—I even chanced upon it.

January 30. Haiku Recitation Gathering.
Hyakkaen, Chitose.

I suddenly saw the winter sun fluttering like a flag.

February 4. Family Haiku Gathering.
Koishikawa Botanical Gardens.

Neatly arranged attire—the needle case.

Town girls exchanging smiles as they pass—Needle Memorial Service.

February 7. 220th Day Gathering.
Hakusan Invitational Banquet.
Gin Saryō.

If illness had a color—yellow, this spring cold.

February 12. *Sōjū-kai*.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The pussy willow reappeared—ah, the old fisherman’s clear day!

February 14. *Sasanare-kai*.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Should I let this spring night pass in vain, regret would surely follow.

February 15. Naō hosted a banquet.
Shimbashi Nadaman.

The day the pussy willow fluffed out above

The tidewaters now flowed east with seaweed.

In the tide, the sickle’s path cutting seaweed is visible.

February 19. Publisher’s regular meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Lantern-lit sky—night plum blossoms.

February 20. Observed the thirteenth memorial service for Natsusetsu.
Marunouchi Club Japanese-style room.

If I stood on the bridge, the spring waters came toward me.

March 6. Musashino Exploration Gathering.
Wadabori, Meiji University, Honganji Cemetery, and others.

Roasted Hina-arare—the flowers had fully bloomed.

Pushing it away yet drawing it near—the spring brazier.

March 7. 220th Day Gathering.
Ginza 5-chōme Higashi-Nakadori, Kiku no Ie.

Awakening of Insects—the sun poured down like arrows.

March 11. *Sōjū-kai*.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Cherry blossom shells converse with waves while being gathered.

A hazy moonlit night—men and women come and go.

March 24. Marunouchi Club Haiku Gathering.

In the bamboo grove, I gazed up at the yellow spring sun.
The blue spring sky draped over the straw roof.

March 25. Kamakura Haiku Gathering.
Nagoe, Risshō Ankoku-ronji Temple.

Gloomily—the flowers darkened; someone had fallen ill.

April 3. Musashino Exploration Gathering.
Jindai Village, Jindai-ji Temple.

She blinked in the dazzling spring light.

April 4. 220th Day Gathering.
Fukasawa, Suichikkyo’s residence.

Fish scraps on the cutting board—the flower inn.

They pass down through tales, pass down through chants—Umejaku’s Memorial.

A death anniversary, a stone marker—the Tale of Umejaku.

April 11. Ōsaki-kai.
Fujimichō，Miwa Onna Residence.

Beyond the hedge—the late spring path’s smallness!

April 21. Kamakura Haiku Gathering.
Yamanouchi, Jōchiji Temple.

The procession of children on a field trip along the country path broke off.

April 25. Tamamo Haiku Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Raising hands at parting—the spring moon of that moment

April 28. "Tamamo Ten-Haiku Collection (15th Session)"

Cedar needles fallen—how spacious the temple grounds.

April 28. Marunouchi Club Haiku Gathering.

To call the heat of late spring “hot” is wasteful.

May 1. Musashino Exploration Gathering.
Koishikawa Kōrakuen Garden, Kantokutei Pavilion.

As I push through, azalea pollen clings to my sleeve.

May 6. Home Haiku Gathering.
Komagome, Rikugien Garden.

The summer curtain hangs quietly, bearing its crest.

May 13. Ginza Exploration Gathering.
Matsuya 7th Floor VIP Room.

Summer hats on the bus rack—how often they fell.

May 17. I made an excursion to Sado.

A school-uniformed girl, sweaty and lively.

June 3. Home Haiku Gathering.
Hibiya Park.

The forest of Unomori—how poignant yet also bustling.

June 5. Musashino Exploration Gathering.
Chiba: Daiiganji Temple, Unomori.

Like a new mosquito net frame hung.

June 10. Sōju Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Lowering my rainy-season umbrella and passing through the Marunouchi Building.

June 17. Home Haiku Gathering.
Marunouchi Building sketching.

At the railing, the rivers and mountains lie low; a flea trembles.

June 18. Publishing Office Regular Meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Taking breaks and not taking breaks—rainy-season construction.

June 20. Banquet hosted by the Tanaka residence.

As I think freely—wrigglers float and sink.

June 23. Marunouchi Club Haiku Gathering.

In the miniature garden, time exists; in the world, time does not.

The feather-plucked bird holds its own fallen feather in its beak.

June 24. Kamakura Haiku Gathering.
Fukazawa Village, Terawake, Jindeshien Hot Spring Inn.

An inaudible summer play—merely watching.

July 4. Nihyakuhatsuka-kai.
Asakusa Nakamise, Yorozuya.
Female Swordplay Drama Troupe Ōe Michiko Ichiza.

Tōyōyu apprentice accompanied by the young mistress.

Dripping grotto’s Buddha—flower offerings.

July 8. Sōju Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Gathering verses—the pampas grass whispers as dew tells its tale.

The crimson of the stamens seeps into the petals—cock’s comb.

A horsefly and butterfly face each other, clinging to nine-story grass.

July 9. Kuyō-kai.
Hyakkaen, Chitose.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, a plant market seems to stand.

July 12. Ginza Exploration Gathering.
Tōkaidō rooftop, viewing morning glories.
Then, he was invited to the Tōkaidō master’s main residence.

A girl sobbing and washing her hair—how poignant.

Whether in joy or sorrow, she washes her hair.

July 25. Tamamo Haiku Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

He sat idly at the edge and watched the world beyond the fence.

July 27. "Tamamo Ten Haiku Collection (18th Session)"
Evening coolness—
the Noh chanting gathering too took its turn.

August 21. Comfort visit to the host; Kuyō-kai.
Honda Aoi Residence.

Children playing under a torn umbrella in the autumn rain.

He kept vigil for the sick person through the typhoon night.

September 1. Home Haiku Gathering.
Aoi Residence.

Rows of buildings at Waseda University beneath an autumn sky.

September 7. Shippō-kai.
Koishikawa Takada Toyokawa-cho, Tahara Hisayoshi Residence.

Watching the elderly bury a friend—sweat of lingering summer heat.

With a haggard face, voraciously eating a late-night meal—ah.

September 9. Sōju Gathering.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Rising at midnight—the daughter visits the inn amid typhoon winds, ah.

September 12. Sasanari-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Plucking shiso seeds as the shears' bell rings.

September 16. Home Haiku Gathering.
Aoi Residence.

There was a fulling block beneath the proffered light.

Mountains and rivers converged here into the descending fish weir.

September 22. Marunouchi Club Haiku Gathering.

Autumn wind—how many mountains and rivers within the heart.

September 29. "Tamamo Ten Haiku Collection (20th Session)."

The stage at Eguchi, bathed in moonlight—ah.

Before one’s eyes—moonlit courtesans at their boat revelry.

October 2. Musashino Exploration Gathering.
At Hosho Noh Theater, he watched Noguchi Kanesuke’s *Eguchi*.

When something is placed, autumn’s shade does not form there.

October 3. 220th Day Meeting.
Kobikicho, Tanaka residence.

Disguised as someone, he walked beneath the moon.

You must become the master of a moon haiku.

October 8. Moon-Viewing Haiku Gathering.

Ōfuna, Shōchiku Studios.

Though one may not partake, 'warmed sake' remains an excellent name.

October 10. Night.
Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

In the evening dusk, reeds silent—the boat arrives.

October 15. Publishing Office Regular Meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The lingering chill remained; the cold too, this solitary body.

October 20. Toshio joined the group, and they held a haiku gathering at Kikuketsutei Pavilion within Takamatsu Ritsurin Park.
That night, they lodged at Takamatsu Koshinmachi.
They visited Corporal Shōichirō at Zentsūji.

History’s sorrow—heard, then forgotten in autumn of old age.

October 21. They visited Yashima.

Each time the person on the sickbed was visited, autumn deepened.

October 25. Home Haiku Gathering.
Aoi Residence.

Guangdong and Wuhan fell in succession—two autumns.

Trembling with joy—the old man’s warmed sake.

October 25. Among the haiku celebrating the fall of Wuhan, those requested by the Tokyo Asahi Shimbun.

The statue made to face true east—autumn.

From here on—the drizzling rain and fallen leaves keep one busy.

November 3. Musashi-Chōfu Kamihuda 304, Shinden Kasumukien neighborhood—the unveiling ceremony for Kyoshi’s bust was held.

A glossy bamboo camp stool had been placed upon chrysanthemums.

November 6. The Musashino Exploration Gathering took place.
Koganei, Taishōen.

When I was still, a dragonfly came to alight.

November 7. 220th Day Meeting.
Shimizudani Park, Kaikoen.

The frozen butterfly’s brow arched high—how poignant.

November 14. Sasanare-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Brushing off with a hand towel while evening drizzle falls.

November 26. *Tamamo Ten-Haiku Collection (22nd Session)*.

While tending the bonfire, his heart chased after people.
The right hand was courage, the left benevolence—hands tucked in sleeves.

November 28. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The great withered tree stands yearning for its own fallen leaves.

November 30. Kyoshi visited Koishikawa Botanical Garden with Hiko, Ritsuko, Teijo, and Kōun.

They had been tending the bonfire but stood up and walked away.

December 2. Home Haiku Gathering.
Aoi Residence.

The withered bush clover draws near, then recedes into the sparse thicket.

Where someone had swept—the great tree hastens fallen leaves.

December 4. Musashino Exploration Gathering.
Koishikawa Botanical Garden.
Kyodo Printing Company third-floor meeting room.

No trace of resentment remained—only these cold hands.

December 9. Sōjū-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

In the hermitage, the warmth of a heated stone alone.

December 10. Haiku Recitation Gathering.
Aoi Residence.

Old age—somehow busy even as the days grow short.

December 12. Sasanare-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

In pallid eyes shared between them—sunlit motes of dust.

December 12. Night.
Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Buried deep in his scarf, he comes and goes.

December 18. Wakayama City outskirts, Mita Wada—returning by car from the offering ceremony at Kamayama Shrine.

The mountain edge was cold; he looked back at Sosei.

December 19. Kyoshi went to Yamahata Heihachi in Kyoto.
Together with Sosei，Ōjō，Hiko，Toshio，and Shiin.

Putting the back quilt on the Chin dog，he held the long string.

December 20. Kyōsenryō.
Together with Ōjō, Hiko, and Michio.

Ah, the lamplight’s dense glow upon the golden screen.

December 21. *Tamamo Ten-Haiku Collection (23rd Session)*.

Shōwa 14

The first shrine visit—divine will is hard to fathom, but...

The wish, of course, is but one—the first shrine visit.

January 1. First shrine visit to Meiji Shrine.

Clouds churned; hail suddenly descended.

January 8. Musashino Exploration Gathering 100th Commemoration.

First shrine visit to Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine.
Kaihin-in.
The dragon’s jewel is said to be deeply hidden.

January 9. Sasanare-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

The old one’s daily routine—determined not to yield to the Great Cold.

January 13. Sōjū-kai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Shriveling hands trembled with hatred.

January 16. 220th Day Gathering.
Kyōbashi, Nadaman.
Hōya hosted a banquet.

Like flowers, the flowing seaweed—a scooping net.

January 19. Butsuga-kai.
Shinagawa, Suzaki Hall.

Within it stood a boundary hedge; a winter grove.

January 20. Family Haiku Gathering.
Aoi Residence.

Like a female visitor from antiquity, she comported herself with old-fashioned modesty.

January 23. Tamamo-kukai.
Marunouchi Building assembly room.

Yabuiri—things I must tell Mother.

January 25. *Tamamo Ten-Haiku Collection (24th Session)*.

Stones scorn those who sell them—winter crows.

Red plum blossoms by the gate for Lunar New Year—ah.

January 26. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.

Due to the cold, we four or five—how dear.

January 30. Kyoto’s Nanzen-ji Temple, Hyōtei.
Ihaho hosted a banquet.
Ihaho, Shizuko, Ōjō, Noburo, Ujō, Noboho, Chiyoko, Hiko.

The withered trees grew dark; Kamo Shrine too.

January 31. Shimogamo, Tadasu no Mori.
Kiyamachi Ōchiga.
Ōjō and the Shika-bue Dōjin members hosted a banquet.
Together with Toshio.

Flustered, avoiding people—lying with a cold.

How frail too—he lay prostrate in his sickbed.

February 6. 220th Day Gathering.
Hakusan hosted a banquet.
Gin Saryō.

To brace oneself—that too was something prepared for, yet—

February 10. Sōjū-kai.
Marunouchi Club annex.

Spring waves—on small stones a momentary dance.

February 12. First session of the Japan Exploration Society.
Gamagōri, Tokiwa-kan.

The tearoom dark, all spring lanterns concealed.

February 14. Ginza Exploration Society.
Nishi-Ginza, Lady Town.

When struck, the springwater hollows deeply.

February 16. Butsuga-kai.
Shimizudani Park, Kaikōen.

He felt someone following him, yet it was tranquil.

February 17. Family Haiku Gathering.
Honda Aoi Residence.

At snow’s end—henceforth fields and mountains laugh heartily.

February 18. Publisher’s Office Regular Meeting.
Marunouchi Building fourth floor, Suisan Club.

I approached springwater and pressed down my head.

February 24. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine Office.

To live apart from the capital of red plums—how detestable!

February 25. *Tamamo Ten-Haiku Collection (25th Session)*.

Spring clouds stretched like looms; the weavers did not cease their work.

A spring cloud passed there—no hand was raised.

Under green bamboo—the grass grew verdant, aimlessly.

March 4. Haiku and Song Meeting.
Kamakura, Kōfūen.

Sparse blossoms—plums in the wind across a field of dwarf bamboo.

March 5. Japan Exploration Society.
Izu Ōni, Ōni Onsen Hotel.
Niraki Society host.

If one were to compare—Sumida's spring fields and snow's labor.

March 9. Received a mosquito-repelling cane; was asked to compose a verse for the memorial fukusa of the late renowned proprietress of the Yanagibashi Hayashi family, who passed away in old age.

Gazing up at the sun pouring down upon the buds of things.

On the night of March 14th.

Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Club annex.

Fate waits laughing; one graduates.

March 18. Publisher’s Office Regular Meeting.
Marunouchi Building fourth floor, Suisan Club.

Spring chill—how long will it linger? Plum and camellia.

March 22. An impromptu composition.

On the embankment, someone shows their face and talks; someone picks grass.

March 23. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.

Spring grass along this path—something nostalgic.

March 24. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Meigetsu-in.

I lost sight of the first butterfly as if in a dream.

March 29. Tamamo Flower and Bird Society.
Koishikawa Botanical Garden.

The hazy moon resembled a clouded ancient mirror.

April 4. Ichie hosted a banquet.
Nihonbashi, Hamada Residence.

Yellow and deep red—this quince rain.

Rain flows along the thin trunk of the quince.

April 6. Nihyakuhatsuka-kai.
Kamakura’s Jōchi-ji Temple, Nadaman Villa.
Ohann Tōdō.

Rise up and walk—lamenting spring’s passing.

April 24. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
Marunouchi Building fourth floor, Suisan Club.

Pinching a grass mochi—rivers and mountains lie distant.

April 26. *Tamamo Ten-Haiku Collection (27th Session)*.

The black horsefly’s yellow rear flipped upward.

May 6. Haiku and Song Meeting.
Kamakura, Kōfūen.

In the past this place was called Mutsuura—clam digging.

May 7. Japan Exploration Society.
Bushū Kanazawa, Kanazawa-en.

Gazing at lingering blossoms along the path toward Michinoku.

Meeting lingering blossoms—like reuniting with someone once known.

May 13. Sent a seasonal theme for the Sendai Haiku Society meeting.

River mist—darting past the woman at the window.

May 16. Welcome reception for Seison’s return to Japan.
Mukōjima Kōfuku-ji.

Barley rice he accepted; millet rice too he did not refuse.

May 17. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.

A Tsugaru maiden veils her face—apple blossoms.

On May 25, he attended the Sendai Haiku Society with Fūsei and others, visited the Takagi family in Otaru, and on the return trip met Tekona in Ōwani.
Kaga-suke Ryokan.

The workhorse looms large; Tsugaru Fuji stands small.

May 26. Poetic excursion to Sarugamura Village and Sarugajinja Shrine.

The mild heat remembered from Michinoku's journey.

May 26. He passed through Ōdate and arrived at Yuse Onsen.

The summer moon hung, its hue too at Nezu Ga Seki.

May 27. He departed Yuse, briefly visited the Osarizawa Mine, arrived at Hanawa, and headed toward Senami Hot Springs.
At Senami Hot Springs, he met Mizuho, Sojū, and others.

He left Hamanasu Hill behind and continued his journey.

May 28. In Murakami: Senami Hot Springs’ Mishima Family Inn.

Grapevine branches flickering as they burned—ah, the summer hearth.

Lighting his pipe, he huddled by the summer hearth.

May 28. Kameda, Ryōkakyō.

They conversed; the pond’s floating leaves nodded in agreement.

May 31. Kōryoku departed for the capital.
Rokkotsu, Sokotsu, and four others met at Shinobazu’s Shōfukutei.

Responsibilities heavy, heart light—changing robes.

June 2. He saw off Yoshida Shūho’s departure to Manchuria.

He entered a gate where water had been sprinkled during a break in the rainy season.

June 8. Shippō-kai Meeting.
Kondo Inui's residence.

For altar flowers, peonies are planted along the ridges, they say.

June 10. Last night, he departed Ueno by night train.
At 6:08 a.m., he arrived at Mikkaichi.
He immediately took the Kurobe Railway to Unazuki.
Stayed at Entaiji Temple.
Governor Hōya hosted.

On the rock, the great summer tree’s roots spread in all directions.

Summer mountains—entrusting life to Toro while

Beneath the snowfield, the Kurobe River roars.

June 11. Kurobe Gorge sightseeing expedition.

To thee I give the plant called juni-hitoe (twelve-layered robe).

June 11. Kurobe Gorge sightseeing expedition.
To the inn’s maid who had accompanied him.

While scorned as a mole cricket, he lived on.

June 16. Ōsaki-kai Meeting.
Marunouchi Club annex room.

Viewed from afar, the chestnut blossoms seemed tinged with pathos.

The rainy season—dark pages of the calendar.

June 17. Publishing office regular meeting.
Marunouchi Building fourth floor, Suisan Club.

A summer cold weighed quite heavily upon old age.

July 1. Kuyōkai Meeting.
Kamakura, Kōfūen.

Uphold the founder, uphold haikai—the Moritake Memorial.

July 6. At the request of the Asahi Shimbun.
Among the haiku commemorating the anniversary of the start of the war.

The ship rocked; the vase flowers tilted—ah, the coolness.

July 22. Japan Sightseeing Association.
Boarded the Kamakura-maru.
Departure for Arima.
Set sail at 12:30 p.m.

The dark little room by the cliffside was cool.

July 23. Arima Onsen, Hyōe Ryokan.

Henceforth, he awaited the autumn of Hiei’s head priest.

August 14. Celebrated the promotion from Shibuya Jigai Shinnyodo to Bishamondo Monzeki.

A sick dog staggered and avoided the sprinkled water.

September 2 (210th Day). Kuyōkai Meeting.
Kamakura, Kōfūen.

Dimly through pines—the moon; a katydid.

September 8. Sōju-kai Meeting.
Marunouchi Club annex room.

Autumn wind—
that which had wavered
becomes a grave matter.

September 12. 220th Day Meeting.
Shimizudani, Kaikōen.

The autumn wind blew somewhat harshly
upon the hibiscus flowers.

September 13. Shippō-kai Meeting.
Hyakkaen, which became a city park.

How unsightly! The lingering heat’s interminable span.

The crescent moon, gently glowing, holds affection.

September 15. Ōsaki-kai Meeting.
Marunouchi Club special room.

The old pine bathes in its own dew and becomes wet.

Under the old pine, people come and go—the dew’s fleeting life.

The old pine alone knows autumn winds of bygone days.

September 22. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Totsuka area, old Tōkaidō pine tree rows, Old Pine Teahouse.

A daughter calls her mother; autumn in the highland clear.

Mountain Day is hot, yet there is an autumn wind.

September 24. Tateshina Highlands.

Behold the mountains' manly vigor—Kai's autumn.

September 24. Return route from Tateshina Highlands.

Water, stirred up and churned, grew clear.

September 26. "Tamamo Ten Haiku Collection (Thirty-Second Session)."

The moon too had no means to linger.

Surveying the great sky—the moon stood solitary.

September 26. Moon-Viewing Haiku Meeting.
Fukasawa, Mitsukoshi Club.

As the yellow butterfly darted swiftly by, one's very gaze turned yellow.

October 7. Kuyōkai Meeting.
Kamakura, Kōfūen.

The living room of Fūchisō's proprietress, perhaps.

October 10. 220th Day Meeting.
Akasaka Shin-saka, Yoshida Ryokan.

On Takaashi’s tray, sweets heaped—Momiji Temple.

Descending the slope a little—the central hall’s pale autumn leaves.

October 15. Japan Scenic Exploration Society.
At the guest room of Hieizan Honbō.

Autumn rain—
moment by moment darkening
Lake Biwa.

October 16. At Lake Biwa Hotel.
Mukuge-kai Meeting.

Where a grebe dwells—the Lake of Grebes since ancient times.

October 17. Stayed at Lake Biwa Hotel.

Out of loneliness, one bestows a name upon clear water.

October 17. Genjū-an Haiku Meeting.
Sponsored by the Ōtsu Hototogisu Society.

Thinking forlornly “This night is cold,” I lay down to sleep.

Lonely in the night’s chill, I merely passed the day.

October 23. “Tamamo Ten Haiku Collection (Thirty-Third Session).”

Shallowly crossing the field—grass lice on the hem.

When one ages, even warming sake becomes but a single cup.

October 23. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
At the Marunouchi Club’s Japanese-style room.

Autumn wind—
a certain woman’s fate.

October 24. Ginza Scenic Exploration Gathering.
Matsuya rear, Renga-tei.

Cleaning at morning shrike, cleaning at evening shrike—ah.

October 26. Monome-kai.
Ueno, Baika-tei.

The sorrow of history, the sorrow of a person’s death—autumn rain.

On October 26, he read Kikuyama Toshio’s account of Jutei-ni in *Keitōjin* and felt sorrow.
The news of Ōjō’s passing arrived—another sorrow.

Even a single reed leaf at the water’s edge turned crimson.

October 27. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
120th session.
Strolled along the Katase riverbank.
Masawo resided.
With you I saw forty years of autumn.

November 2. Ōjō Memorial.

Grass lice cling joyfully to fine garments.

Waiting for one who departs—grass lice leap.

November 6. Tamamo Poetic Excursion Meeting.

Kamakura Matsugaoka, Tōkei-ji.

Meiji Festival—the Great Emperor’s auspicious weather, how awe-inspiring!

November 10. Sōjū-kai Meeting.
Hitotsubashi, Gakushikaikan.

In Shibazuke pickles—truly, small fish that ought to vanish—ah.

November 13. Sasanaki-kai Meeting.
At the Marunouchi Club’s Japanese-style room.

Saying she’d pick yuzu in the rain—the elder sister donned her kerchief.

November 14. Tamamo Regular Meeting.
Nihonbashi, Takashimaya.

Sowing wheat—how long will the old one rest?

Without seeing the circular petition until the very end—year’s close.

November 17. Ōsaki-kai Meeting.
At the Marunouchi Club’s special room.

At the folding screen shop’s entry step—an elderly guest.

November 22. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.

Raising sun and moon—auspicious dawn of spring.

November 25. Occasional Verse.

A temari ballad turns sorrowful things into beauty.

December 1. Ōsaki-kai Meeting.
At the Marunouchi Club’s separate room.

Softly blooming—these unseasonal blossoms.

Behind too—a figure reflected in the new year’s mirror.

December 2. Kuyō-kai Meeting.

Kamakura, Kōfū-en.

The quietude of old age—two days passed unchanged.

First combing of the year—corners of eyes pulled taut and distorted.

December 6. Tamamo Poetic Excursion Meeting.
Takashimaya Special Room.

A jar stood ready; the hamaya found its place.

December 7. Nihyaku Hatuka-kai.
The Tanaka residence, hosted by Yōjin.

The mountain of work left undone—year’s end.

December 14. Seven Treasures Meeting.
Shiba, Momiji Hall.
Hosted by Suichikkyo.

Amidst withered grass, still lingered varied forms.

Towering and fully withered—the silver grasses.

Come see all things wither at Hyakkaen Garden.

December 16. Household Haiku Meeting.
Niraki; Shiika’s 70th birthday celebration.
Hyakkaen Garden—a thousand autumns.

There they lie—all these overflowing things—cover your head.

December 19. Ginza Tanshō-kai Meeting.
Nishiginza 6-chome, Takiyama Building, Mochiki Zenzaiya.

The coming hundred years—ah, the nation’s spring.

December 19. The 2600th year of the era.

A sand-blocking fence stood; all winter trees leaned.

December 22. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Kaibin-in.

Shuttlecocks lodged in every direction across the plaza—ah.

Pressing a battledore to their mouth while calling out to someone.

December 23. Nihonbashi Nakasu, Fukui-zutsu.
Hosted by Yoshimura Taichi.

A parental heart quietly watched the fallen leaves.

On a certain day, through Sergeant Major Fukagawa Shōichirō, [I/we] sent verses to Colonel Tsubokura, director of Zentsūji Army Hospital, who encouraged wounded soldiers to compose haiku.

With frost as shield and moon as sword, they guarded their verses.

December 27. Welcome party for Lieutenant Colonel Oda Kuroshio.
Marunouchi Club’s Japanese room.

Winter seclusion—the study’s realm remained unbounded.

A charcoal scuttle—the realm within oneself, naturally.

December 28. The Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting Year-End Party was held.
Kyōbashi, Man’an.

The single warmth of a hot water bottle—to what can it be likened?

Not neglecting a single day—the old calendar.

December 29. Tamamo Year-End Party.
Kamakura, Kōfūen.

The great gate now closed—the New Year’s Eve shrine visit.

December 31. New Year’s Eve shrine visit.
Asakusa Kannon.
Enoshima Ryōri no Da ya.

Shōwa 15

First ride of the year—horses lined along Yui’s shore.

January 1

Solemnly exists the phrase called “within the sacred rope.”

Winter’s old age—prone to stumbling on frozen ground.

A dog brought a battledore to the lawn—ah.

January 8. Sasanari-kai.
Marunouchi Club’s Japanese room.

In the great cold, people die like dust.

The great cold—when I go to visit, they’ve already died.

With numbed hands raised, someone tried to strike another.

With numbed hands raised, someone looked at them and let them drop.

January 9. Samidare-kai Meeting.
Nihonbashi Club.

Fukujusō Legacy—what is called an inheritance is only the books.

Once the New Year pines are gone—time flies like an arrow once more.

January 10. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
Takashimaya Special Room.

The frozen poses of manzai performers—viewed like paper theater.

January 11. Shippō-kai.
Kondo Inui Residence.

In the character for “cold,” there rang a metallic clang.

Though they called it Daikan—the great cold—the august land endured.

At winter’s core, a voice was born resounding.

The cup of fire liquor remained unraised to numbed hands.

January 12. Sōju-kai.
Gakushi Kaikan.

From the tumbled girl rolls a temari ball—ah.

Manzai performers’ retreating figures along the path of the auspicious direction.

Heedless of appearances, the book swells.

The bustle—the town’s willow has withered though.

January 13. 220th Day Meeting.
Gin Saryō.

Sunshine and clouds, as the heart wills—a winter day.

January 15. Tamamo Poetic Excursion Meeting.
Kōjimachi, Nagatachō, Mashimo Residence.

Drying futons as the thatch-covered boat set out.

January 17. Mogakai.
Shinagawa, Suzakikan.

To win an entire country in the lottery—ah.

January 18. Home Haiku Meeting.
Marunouchi Club’s Japanese room.

The yokozuna’s manly bearing at the Spring Tournament.

January 19. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Club’s annex room.

The moon following the sun’s course—and narcissus flowers.

January 23. “Tamamo Ten Haiku Collection (36th Session)”

To escape winter’s chill—how like abandoning the world itself.

January 25. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.

In the narcissus, the heart awaiting spring has settled.

January 26. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Kaihin-in.

In Kamakura was held the Sanetomo Memorial Service—how splendid it was.

Jufuku-ji: the site of the Sanetomo Memorial Service.

Sanetomo Memorial Service—the sound of Yui’s waves still roared on.

February 3. Haiku Recitation Meeting.
Kamakura, Kōfūen.

Here again, one idly overheard the cats’ amorous wanderings.

February 9. Sōju-kai.
Hitotsubashi, Gakushi Kaikan.

The Sakura Mochi Women’s Association, modestly.

February 10. 220th Day Meeting.
Kōjimachi, Nagatachō 2-chōme, Mashimo Residence.

Holding a child—an aged female diver and pussy willows.

February 12. Sasanari-kai.
Marunouchi Club’s Japanese room.

Buds of things—work continued ever onward.

February 16. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Club’s annex room.

At the nunnery, a small haiku gathering for the Meisetsu Memorial.

February 20. Ginza Sightseeing Gathering.
Behind Matsuya, the nunnery.

Sakura mochi basket—carelessly new.

February 21. Mogakai.
Ginza Hatchōme, Kiyūperu.

Spring clouds gently veil the sun.

February 23. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Takashi-an.

Behold the spring snow fluttering and dancing.

March 1. Home Haiku Meeting.
Marunouchi Club’s Japanese room.

While talking, they approached the red plum blossoms step by step.

Breaking and arranging red plum blossoms—their elegance deepened.

Cherish this spring night’s fleeting moment.

March 9. 220th Day Meeting.
Kobikichō, the Tanaka residence.

With the window’s light extinguished, no pattern—spring mud.

March 14. “Tamamo Five Haiku Collection (38th Session)”

An ownerless house—yet its fence stood mended.

Encircled by the mended fence, they dwelled hidden.

March 15. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Club’s annex room.

Butterflies took flight; hometown people too returned home.

April 3. Tamamo Regular Meeting.
Takashimaya special room.

Ah, in the capital—no inn untouched by blossoms!

A sick child lay within; the family found no joy in flowers.

April 5. Home Haiku Meeting.
Madame Afuhi Memorial.
Shiba Park, Kakaku-in.

The woman who tends the kindling fire has changed.

April 7. A line conceived in a trance.

A haiku of spring slumber had been nurtured all along.

Spring slumber—unable to rouse it, one had watched over.

Spring slumber—hazily, something white.

A single smile of spring slumber—how beautiful.

April 8. Sasanare-kai.
Marunouchi Club’s annex room.

Blossoms scatter—around the crow’s blunt wings.

April 11. Shippō-kai.
Shiba Park, Ike-no-hata Tea Shop.

Moderately warm—the shade of double-layered cherry blossoms was pleasant.

April 17. Mogakai.
Kioichō, Kaikōen.

A windmill stilled—its spirit fled.

April 18. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.

The rain on the reed screen is harsh against the peonies.

April 21. Japan Scenic Exploration Meeting.
Yokohama Sankeien Garden.
Took a brief rest at Taishunken; held a haiku meeting at Kangetsuan.
Viewed part of the Jurakutei Kitaden’s Rinshunkaku.

The temple roof that filled the summer mountain valley

April 26. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Kaizōji Temple.
The younger sister steps out into the spring downpour at the inn.

April 27. 220th Day Meeting.
Tsukiji 3-6, Tsukiji Kaikan, Mr. Takehara’s residence.

The rain vexed the peonies; the sky strained toward clearing.

Coolness—ah, the Buddha of lowest grade and meanest birth.

May 3. Home Haiku Meeting.
Kuhonbutsu Jōshinji Temple.

Confronting the book of departing spring—there stand the ancients.

The wind blows; late spring butterflies flutter in disarray.

May 4. Kuyōkai.
Kamakura, Kōfūen.

On the beach sand—a small grass bearing an ephemeral dream.

May 5. Japan Scenic Exploration Meeting.
Odawara, Saitō Kōson’s residence.

Wearing an old lined kimono, he had settled into a light warmth.
He read amid the clamor of frog voices.

May 8. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
Takashimaya Department Store third-floor special room.

Oak-leaf rice cakes—their family lineage is not to be called humble.

May 9. Shippō-kai.
Suginami Ōmiya Hachiman Park Tea Shop.

The peonies’ visage lingers—then crumbles away.

May 9. Mourned Kusame Tōkōshi.
(May 8, 3:30 PM, passed away).

Mountain village—
beneath the eaves, irises
clouds come and go.

May 10. Sōjū-kai.
Hitotsubashi, Gakushikaikan.

Light warmth—sitting, lying, advancing, retreating all as one pleases.

May 16. Fukagawa Shōichirō Welcome Haiku Meeting.
Marunouchi Club Japanese Room.

Festival coins—‘Child, go buy your fill and return.’

May 17. Butsuga-kai.
Azumabashi Club.

The silk-reeling women sat lined up in order of height.

May 17. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Club annex room.

The wind occasionally bent the irises at the water's edge.

May 24. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Zaimokuza Kōmyōji Temple.

Thrusting up with the head to peek through the summer curtain.

May 30. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.

The hall’s stillness—ah, the iris.

June 5. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
Takashimaya Department Store third-floor special room.

The water stirred by carp moves coolly—how about that?

June 9. Japan Scenic Exploration Meeting.
Itabashi Ward, Toshimaen.

Diligently catching flies—the fly trap.

June 14. Sōjū-kai.
Hitotsubashi, Gakushikaikan.

A plucked-feather bird abruptly dashes off—!

June 27. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.

The antlion ceaselessly sucked up the pine rain.

June 29. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Fujisawa Yugyō-ji Temple.

The elders hale—the longed-for rain returns once more; be at ease.

The longed-for rain arrives—no cares linger behind.

June 30. Requested by Osaka Broadcasting Station to contribute haiku to be presented to officers and men on the front lines.

Clinging to the great tree’s trunk—summer’s shadow.

July 7. Tōshibō and Kotsuchō Marriage Celebration Haiku Meeting.
Atagoyama, Sagano.

A small bird caught in the thunderclouds—ah.

August 3. Mount Fuji’s foothills, thatched cottage by Lake Yamanaka.

Autumn wind suddenly ravages the mountain hermitage.

August 7. Fuji Mountain’s foothills, thatched cottage by Lake Yamanaka.

The autumn wind to name the slope before the gate.

August 8. Fuji Mountain’s foothills, thatched cottage by Lake Yamanaka.

The northern autumn wind fortifies his resolve.

August 16. Dedicated to the Harbin Haiku Conference.

The autumn journey becomes nightclothes and enfolds me once more.

August 17. Kuyō-kai.
Motohakone, Matsuzakaya.

In the mist, small birds kept crossing.

"I too am crimson," and abruptly emerged.

September 4. Tamamo Regular Meeting.
Takashimaya special room.

There stood summer trees of Tokugawa's three hundred years.

The harshness of worldly wisdom—tales of the floating world, ah—cooling at the gate.

September 6. Home Haiku Meeting.
Ueno, Umekawa-tei.

Autumn rain—the meeting persists thinly.

September 7. Kuyō-kai.
Kamakura, Kōfū-en.

Autumn wind—
you and I
fell silent together.

September 9. Sasanaki-kai.
Marunouchi Club annex.

In the subsiding autumn storm, a single crow flew.

September 18. Mōmō-kai.
Hyakkaen.

A night as long as my life persists—ah.

September 20. “Tamamo Five Haiku Collection (44th Session).”

Nostalgic—a single pine grows in the flower field.

September 20. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Club special room.

Autumn wind—
even without meeting—
still good enough.

September 24. Received a Chinese poem from Fujisaki Kan and sent a reply.

Yamanaka lakeside thatched cottage.

The flower called Hekusokazura in full bloom.

September 29. Nihon Tanshōkai.
Ueno, Kan'ei-ji.

Standing on tiptoes, raising hands—autumn deepens.

Looming over the plateau—autumn deepens.

October 8. Nihyakuhatsuka-kai.
Kobiki-cho, Nadaman.
Nao’s invitation.

A face turned white by the autumn wind—ah.

October 9. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
Takashimaya special room.

On the cargo ship too, people were fishing in the shark's tide.

October 11. Sōjū-kai.
Hitotsubashi, Gakushi Kaikan.

Potato leaves—reluctant nods of assent, ah.

October 12. Kuyō-kai.
Kamakura, Kōfū-en.

The grace of withered bush clover awaiting the scythe—ah.

October 14. Sasanaki-kai.
Marunouchi Club special room.

Hidden among large cedars—the temple hall’s autumn wind.

October 19. Kyoto’s Takagamine Kōetsu-ji Temple: Ōjō Haiku Monument unveiling ceremony.
At Mantakudō Hall—a haiku meeting.
He was accompanied by wife and children.

The autumn sea—said to be rough yet barely so.

An audience—fearing chrysanthemum-laden steps.

Having been granted an imperial audience—chrysanthemum flowers.

The noble ship now glided silent—ah, this endless night.

October 24. Departed Kamenoi in Beppu and boarded the ship.
On board the ship.

Autumn wind— / heart stirs and mouth stammers.

October 31. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.

Autumn sky—should one’s heart ease, it will cloud over.

November 1. Home Haiku Meeting.
Marunouchi Club annex room.

I have aged, you have aged—Daikonuma.

November 8. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
Shibuya Dōgenzakaue, Futaba.

Gazing up at the sky where the first winter rain should fall—

November 8. Sōjū-kai.
Hitotsubashi, Gakushi Kaikan.

Upon the golden screen stood the Takamikura; the imperial appearance had yet to commence.

The imperial procession now at 2600 years; the sky looms high.

November 10. Attended the 2600th year of the imperial era ceremony.

Aged and decayed - a child's companion - the daikon horse.

Neighing cheerfully - the daikon horse.

November 12. Nihyakuhatsuka-kai.

Ginza 6-chome, Mika’s residence.

A small chrysanthemum creeping up to the large stone—ah.

November 14. Shippō-kai Meeting.
Mukōjima, Hyakkaen.

Winter warmth—even the aged heart grows lively.

November 16. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Club annex room.

I thought how I wanted to eat the persimmons that had been offered and left.

November 19. Ginza Exploration Gathering.
Matsuya-ura; nunnery.

Carrying a basket—emerging through bonfire smoke.

Steam rising from the tea bowl—autumn leaves under clear skies.

Unsteadily, the pole rose and grasped a persimmon.

November 22. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Takashi-an.

A single ink line streaked across the winter sky.

A sky scattering showers where no clouds lingered—this I loved.

November 28. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.

Rising cooking smoke—above it, returning flowers.

November 28. “Tamamo Five-Haiku Collection (46th Session).”

After leaving the oden shop, he began to chant softly.

December 6. Home Haiku Meeting.

Hibiya Park.

Winter rain falling—the features of one who gazes upward.

December 7. Kuyō-kai.
Kamakura, Kōfūen.

He came to gaze upon the number of days the grass had withered.

December 9. Sasanari-kai.
Marunouchi Club annex room.

Flapping wings yet never waking—the drifting sleeper-bird.

December 10. Nihyakuhatsuka-kai.
Kobikichō, Tanaka residence.

Winter showers upon arriving at the Great Buddha—ah.

December 12. Shippō-kai Meeting.
Kamakura Daibutsu, Nanpoen.

With thunderous booms it rose—the year’s first sunrise.

December 13. Sōju-kai Meeting.
Hitotsubashi, Gakushi Kaikan.

Wearing masks, eyes gazed at me from afar.

Is my life not lonely—purchasing a diary?

Carrying a bag, viewing the capital with winter showers—this sight.

December 17. Ginza Exploration Gathering.
Opposite the Tokyo Asahi Shimbun building, Niyū Tōkyō.

All the people crossing the bridge—their breath turns white.

December 18. Mogakai.
Asakusa Yamauchi, Okada.

At the year-end gathering, old age smiled forlornly.

Softly laughing, with striking features—ah, the mask.

December 20. Ōsaki-kai.
Marunouchi Club annex room.

Arms folded, he was jostled amidst the crowd.

Arms folded, he stood in Kyoto's streets.

Arms folded, he stood among haiku companions.

Arms folded, he faced criticism.

Arms folded, he bore the stature of a prime minister.

As if his left hand were absent, arms folded.

December 26. Marunouchi Club Haiku Meeting.
Akasaka Nagatachō 2-7, Taigetsusō.

Though there is a wandering wind, sunbathing.

A winter vegetable field, beautifully plowed.

Intense winter sun—all living things.

December 27. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.
Kaihin Hotel.

In the north wind, people thinned out, turned a corner, and disappeared.

December 30. Tokyo Kuyō-kai.
Marunouchi Club Japanese-style room.

Before the shrine, sweeping fallen leaves—assuming a humble demeanor in turn.

December 31. Shinano Shrine enshrined Prince Munenaga.
Dedicatory haiku were solicited.

Bowing low, I ponder the hazy past—ah.

December 31. Dedicatory haiku were solicited at Kirishima Shrine.

Stretched up and hurled high—the votive plaque.
People’s faces gradually faded from view at the New Year’s Eve shrine visit.

December 31. Joyamairi Kukai.
Senso-ji Temple precincts, Enoshima cuisine.