Pathway to Japanese Literature

Preface

To commemorate Hototogisu reaching its 650th issue, I selected six hundred and fifty haiku.

While there was some discrepancy in the issue numbers, this stemmed from having used the "Haiku Diary" (from Shōwa 21 to Shōwa 25) as source material.

Shōwa 30, April

At a Kamakura Hermitage

Takahama Kyoshi

Shōwa 21

On windy days, even this snowbound mountain dwelling grows wearisome to inhabit.

On that person's one cheek resides the first smile.

The first smile, deeply concealed yet faintly lingering.

The first smiles filled Kyoto's thoroughfares.

A temporary dwelling where villagers provide no pine.

January 5. A training session with Tateko and others.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Covering and being covered, winter peonies visible to each other.

From nowhere, windblown snow arises and comes.

January 6. The training session continued.

From the kotatsu, I have become an old man with a stooped back.

Stiffened and bowing my head, I proceeded to meet.

January 6. The Peach Blossom Meeting continued.
Peach Blossom Residence.

Pick what grows and come, maiden—Day of Young Herbs.

With what shall I receive Jinjitsu guests?

Frost-nipped hands work the dishcloth—ah.

January 7. Horsetail Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Standing outside, I see icicles—my home appears desolate.

January 8. The Horsetail Meeting continued.

Mizuho's mother passed away.

A path to paradise naturally formed in the auspicious direction.

January 8.

The mountain's snow as if dashed with white pigment.

What measure of cold did I endure?

Under heavy snow, each household abided.

Visitors arrived—through the snow-laden gate they came in procession.

January 12. A training session.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The sun froze and hung in the sky—only that.

Winter seclusion—partitioned by shoji screens, people came visiting.

Medicine arrived by parcel—winter seclusion.

The characters for "severity" and "cold" seep into my very being.

January 13. The training session continued.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.
Found jellied stew—dim candlelight.

January 19. Training session.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Under the cold lamp, I dictated and transcribed texts.

Pricking up my ears—could those sounds be drawing near?

Cupping my ears, I sat by the kotatsu—ah.

January 20. The training session continued.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Searching for plum blossoms—while delivering something to the monk.

Daffodils—the drum box memento of mother.

January 26. Training session.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Something stumbles at the crossroads—purification rite.

As I approached, a branch descended—the winter crow.
It looked down and eventually cried—the winter crow.

January 27. The training session continued.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

A fragment of snow caught on the wire.

Through melting snow—sudden comings and goings of people.

February 2. Training session.
Komoro Thatched Hut.

By the roadside, a snow-covered hut’s demon expulsion.

After snow comes rain—the cold lifts.

Less than a hundred—auspicious beans for the year.

Setsubun—demons and healers alike at the grass door.

February 3. Training session.
Komoro Thatched Hut.

The mountain dweller dons snow boots and leans on a staff.

Wheat fertilizer half-scattered across the snow.

February 10. Training session.
Komoro Thatched Hut.

Viewing the world through playful whimsy—breaking icicles.

February 11. Training session continued.
Komoro Thatched Hut.

On the ditch board—swish—windblown snow.

Windblown snow stylized all things.

Men and women shouldering hoes passed each other tilling fields.

Seeing purple and soil between snow patches.

February 16. Training session.
Komoro Thatched Hut.

Snow lingered on each rice field.

Roasted beans cupped in a palm—plum blossoms.

In rapids' midst grew water weeds—ah.

February 17. Training session.
Komoro Thatched Hut.

Spring arrives—in people's comings and goings, clarity returns.

February 23. Horsetail Meeting.
Kamakura Thatched Hut.

Dye powder for coloring hina arare purchased in town.

Beautiful tepid kotatsu—Hina no Ma.

March 3. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Four-household row house, Ueno Residence.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Remaining snow creeps along the field's edge—ah.

Mugwort rice cakes' stacked boxes—indigo cotton wrapping cloth.

March 13. With Maiko, Kōho, Yasushi, and Shōko.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.
The bud-bearing wind raps at the main hall's door.

March 14. Added Tateko to yesterday's attendees.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

In tilling, in reading—solitary.

Would I strike jar or gem through field work?

Tilling fields—Asuka culture's traces?

In tilling—I alone depend on this barren land—ah.

The one who tills—not soon did I see him.

Heavenly and earthly deities suffused—spring rain.

March 28. Kōka, Sōu, and Kujō arrived.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The first butterfly came. "What color?" one asked. "Yellow," another answered.

In the heat haze stood my two-ken hut.

March 29. Takatsunami and Takayori arrived.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Plucking plants while mingling with village children.

Handing out seedlings, sitting down to talk at length.

March 30. Added Yasushi to yesterday's attendees.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The spring haze—passersby’s faces turned pale.

People and butterflies—beautiful yet fleeting.

A butterfly fluttered—dragging an elder’s cane in its wake.

April 7. Nagano Hototogisu Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The washed flower squid spits a little ink

The cherry blossom squid slips and halts on the cutting board.

April 18. I had been in the Tanasaka Internal Medicine ward of Niigata Medical University since the 15th.
An impromptu gathering at the Takano Sojū Residence.
As I washed dishes—did a butterfly break free from the painted pattern?

April 19. Three Oak Trees Meeting.
Niigata Medical University Hospital Medical Office.

The university is buried in flowers—Sunday.
The head nurse came and adjusted the cherry blossoms in the vase before leaving.

April 20. I remain in the hospital room.

Taking a nap—I squandered half a day with flowers.

April 21. Same as above.

In my palm—viewing this seed-rabbit thus—how precious!

April 23. Same as above.

The first butterfly revealed its solitary grace—then vanished.

Drawing circles, tracing arcs—the flower butterflies, ah.

Transferring seeds to my palm—how precious.

April 24. Ōyuki-nami-kai (Large Avalanche Meeting).

Sojū Residence.

Peach blossoms bloom—legs stretched out, doing needlework.

Mountain field—raising hoes high, swinging them down.

A peach tree marks the ridge—the path bends.

April 26. I returned with Sojū on the 25th.
Today's Komoro stroll observations.

Fallen petals carpet the ground—a playful butterfly chases another.

There was a shrine—a single peach tree in full bloom.

April 30. Maiko came to the Iris Garden.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The wisteria showers gradually lifted—ah, the mild summer heat.

May 13. Poetry Recital Meeting.
Tokyo, Marunouchi Club Annex.

Tucking up hems of seasonal robes, broom in hand.

The paperweight: a green crystal clematis flower.

May 15. Fellow Members in the Capital Meeting.
Combined with the Ginza Sightseeing Meeting.
Marunouchi Club Annex.

The master now dips a brush into the dark ume fruit.

May 19. Kamakura, Yoshiya Nobuko Residence Haiku Meeting.
Behind the Great Buddha, Koyato.

A newt floats alongside the spatterdock flower—ah.

May 21. Horsetail Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The parent sparrow thinned itself for its chick.
Sensing an eye within the glass—the parent sparrow

May 23. Composed impromptu.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The ayu-fishing evening gathers; preparations to depart.

Competing in the delicacy of their joined rods—the ayu fishing companions.

Here and there, the rapids have changed—the ayu river.

The deutzia flowers' stifling gate—thus I replied.

May 24. Komoro Hototogisu Meeting.
Rokku, Ōkōji Temple.

Descended to Asama Peak's foothills—May clouds

May 25. Nagano Hototogisu Meeting.

Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Firefly lights like a ball—ah, they leapt upward.

Struck by lightning with sharp cracks—

Hoe laid aside, hugging knees on the ridge in mild summer heat.

To the waterwheel place hurried a sparrow on its errand.

A crow trailed its tail along the plastered ridge—ah.

May 31. He created assigned themes for the Hototogisu 600th Issue Komoro Commemorative Haiku Meeting (June 2).
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Crimson things were dried—summer grass.

The old couple lived detesting centipedes.

June 13. Maiko and Chikuso came together.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Away for rice planting—a hoe left in the garden's center.

At the Sanae-ae Festival—the usual housewives in their sister-style headscarves.

Sanae-ae Festival—the household shrine’s light glowed distant.

June 15. Horsetail Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Rainy season break’s evening glow flared and vanished instantly.

June 17. Poetry Recital Meeting.
Tokyo, Marunouchi Club Annex.

My life—today’s midday nap too stands a momentous affair.

Quiet sitting—hugging my knees as a butterfly takes flight.

June 18. Hatano Yasenjo Memorial Haiku Meeting.
Kamakura Sōan.

I took the red part of the five-colored uchiwa that met my hand.

June 19. Ginza Exploration Meeting.
Kamakura Sōan.

Knowing myself to have thorns, I adorn with flowers.

Under the eaves—the summer mountain and what they call the Great Buddha Hall.

June 20. Kamakura Haiku Meeting.

Hase Daibutsu Precincts, Great Buddha Hall.

Coolness—ah, I drank down the hot tea.

June 22. Horsetail Meeting.
Kamakura Sōan.

Lurking in the indigo vat—a mosquito dyes itself while...

June 24. Returned to Komoro with Maiko.

Not knowing when it would die—the goldfish's beauty.

In green shade, having slipped through the net—a white butterfly.

June 27. Komoro Hototogisu Meeting.
Komoro Rokugo, Ōkōji Temple.

For a time, even if one endured the heat,

Firefly viewing—voices called out and passed by the marshland house.

On the wayside grass—an evening dew’s lost treasure.

June 30. Nakata Mizuho, Shibata Rinka, Yoshida Issen, and Tsuruta Goro came and gathered.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The guest-loving master and wife—cucumbers being pressed with salt.

For now, the dutiful wife’s salted cucumbers.

The phrase “salted cucumbers dutiful wife.”

July 7. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Komoro Cottage.

Like a day plunging into tropical seas

July 7. Last year on April 1, Hisayama Genro was lost in a maritime disaster with the Awa Maru in the Bashi Channel off Taiwan; I was asked by Hisayama Hatsuko for a memorial verse.

With my wife away—clothes hung as I sat quietly.

July 12. Kōzu Uson Memorial Haiku Meeting.
Shiga Village, Kōzu Residence.

And let there hang a fine wind chime.

July 15. Celebration haiku for the new construction of Senju Market Ayame Garden.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

A provisional sunshade—the suspended rush mat.

Seeing the rainbow—beauty in manifold thoughts.

This world of ours—thus beautiful—as a rainbow rises.

Through the rainbow’s ring ran the pasture fence.

I ate the water-rinsed rice, jaw working vigorously.

July 19. Maiko and Kōho came.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Summer emaciation—yet the mind maintains its tension.

Should I cut down the cicada tree tomorrow?—so I pondered.

Summer emaciation—they grew angry at every little thing.

Summer emaciation—the lady of the house with harsh words.

July 21st. Komoro Hototogisu Meeting.
Rokugo, Ōkōji Temple.

Leaves dyed navy blue—pale eggplant flowers.

With guests—the mountain hermitage’s autumn night.

After the evening shower—a small lantern in the dark night.

Throughout heaven and earth, the proclivity for evening showers has settled.

Coolness upon the skin—a hand rests in the autumn night.

July 23. Nagoya Botankai members arrived.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The path descended to the main hall—a dropped letter.

July 26. Saitama Fudōoka. Kashi Members arrived.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

He peered at eggplants in the twilight's dimness.

He placed an object on his stomach to prevent getting chilled while sleeping.

Ah, the book airing continued until autumn with this vast collection.

July 28. Nagano Hototogisu members arrived.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The wind was too strong; one could not even fold a parasol.

August 5. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Beneficent rain arrives—after long absence, the gutter resounds.

Asama's eight peaks stand high on both sides as autumn begins.

These days—days when thunder has taken to striking habitually.

First autumn day—sowing daikon again without regard to time.

August 9. Training session, first day.
Tateko, Kiyo, and others at Komoro Mountain Retreat.

A single cloud—behold! The sky stood vast.

A humble dwelling—two autumn curtains hung.

On the book—watermelon juice had spilled.

August 10. Training session, second day.

Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Dew vines—they should have been called mirrors of dew.

Dewdrops harboring morning sunlight fell.

White dew—the spacious vegetable garden taken in at a glance.

Under blazing sun—mysterious dew was witnessed.

Navy blue paper—golden orchids on an autumn fan.

Thunder having hushed its roar—the autumn cicada.

August 11th. Training session, third day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Autumn eggplants overflowed the basket on this day.

Always on this chair—my form and a bug tonight.

Clinging to the shamisen—the blind insects’ dwelling.

August 12. Training session, fourth day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The mountain village's Obon moonlit night—how bright!

Counting the days—the autumn curtain has aged with me.

August 13. Training session, fifth day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Autumn lamplight—as though husband and wife were absent from each other.

August 14. Training session, sixth day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

A dragonfly on an upturned post laughs.

Sparklers' trailing sparks fall upon the potato.

A woman resembling a dayflower—how I wished to visit her.

They lit human-faced watermelon lanterns as they went.

August 15. Training session, seventh day, concluded.

Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Lightning reached my knee—faintly vanished.

Tonight's lightning—how desolate it feels.

Autumn fan held dangling—hugging my knees.

August 18. Komoro Hototogisu Meeting.

Rokku, Ōkōji Temple.

A carefree autumn curtain hung.

The autumn curtain of the house across also hung just as it was.

Rumbling thunder rolled through an autumn evening shower.

August 22. Okayasu Maiko, Shimada Kōhan, and Abe Kesa visited.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Taking out festival lanterns—dust blew.

Sacred dance—the caretakers bustled about some task.

Scattered here and there, houses in the autumn field—ah.

August 25th. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Iga and Nagoya contingents attended.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Sakaori Shrine—how solemn! Rice blossoms.

Bearing their bare selves through—the hot spring corridor.

Across the river—five or six hot spring inns bathed in western sunlight.

People passing by gathered one after another—cooling themselves on the bridge.

Bridge-cooling—all the guests from the hot spring inn emerged.

August 29th. Boarded the Koumi Line; arrived at Kōshū Shimobe Onsen.
Shimobe Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Haiku Meeting.

An autumn fan too becomes a household item.

Bright until bedtime—then moonlit rain.

September 8. 220th Day Meeting.
Kamakura, Hase Koyato, Yoshiya Nobuko Residence.

Thinking it dewy, I spread a futon on the veranda and sat.

September 9. Poetry Recital Meeting.
Kamakura Thatched Cottage.

Stepped out of the bath—autumn wind blew away all sweat.

September 9. Horsetail Meeting.
Kamakura Thatched Cottage.

Past midnight, the moon bright upon the shoji—ah.
Castle ruins small yet vast—autumn wind.

September 11. Moon-Viewing Haiku Meeting.

Komoro Kaikoen, Yamashirokan.

Over the water basin—bush clover sways and swells, ah.

September 19. Niigata Haiku Meeting commemorating both Shiki Memorial Day and Hototogisu’s 600th issue.
With Tateko and others to Niigata Gyōseitei.

Seeing the train and rising—harvesting rice in flooded fields.

September 20th. Departed from Niigata for Akita.
Akita. Takagi Mochihana Residence.
Kanaya Ryokan. Lodged.

Autumn wind—quietly swaying bush clover and pampas grass.

September 20th. Kyoto *Hototogisu* 600th Issue Commemorative Haiku Meeting with Combined Themes.

Autumn showers—thus the cold intensifies.

September 21st. Staying at Takagi Mochihana’s residence.

Autumn clarity—Kanpūzan Mountain’s lone rugged peak.

The fruit of the mokusa bean resembles cowpeas—or something akin to them.

Autumn clarity—the mountains of Rikuu borderland lie low.

September 23rd. Departed from Akita for Noshiro.
Noshiro Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Conference.
Kinyū Club.
Takeda Ryokan. Lodged.

I gazed through glasses at the autumn rain while making an umbrella.

September 25th. Kameta, Sonozono Residence, Tamamo Haiku Meeting.

Millennial autumn—Zenkoji Temple at the mountain's foot.

October 6th. Nagano Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Haiku Meeting.
This journey with Year-End and others.
Zenkoji Temple precincts, Myōshō-den Hall.
Enshōbō lodging.

Blind though I am—at least the autumn water's sound.

October 9th. Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Kanazawa Haiku Meeting.
Blind yet not without companions.
Tsubajin.

Soaking things—that being Mizuo—autumn river.

October 10. Kanazawa, strolling along the Asano Riverbank.

Takemoto Residence Poetry Recital.

Did not see Hyakujō’s cliff—viewed wild chrysanthemums.

A wild chrysanthemum cluster bloomed in cascades at Tōjinbō.

For the ailing one, each of us carried wild chrysanthemums we picked.

October 12. Last night in Mikuni, lodged at Aii.
Tōjinbō viewed.

From tomorrow onward I shall forget illness with a chrysanthemum pillow.

October 12. Aiko Bedside Small Haiku Meeting.

Refreshingly arose the voices of monks chanting sutras.

Since it's a temple—autumn mosquitoes consent—borrowing the toilet.

October 14th. Kyoto, Higashiyama. Müller Hatsuko Residence.
With Tateko and others.
Visited Hōnen-in.

Autumn rain—borrowing an umbrella for a day’s journey.

October 22nd. Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Suwa Haiku Meeting.
With Tateko.
Raigō-ji Temple.

Across the water, ducks passed skimmingly.

At times, the boatman of the wakasagi boat sang.

October 23rd. Kami-Suwa. Visit to Hachiken Shrine.
Miyasaka Residence.

Rushing headlong—as if one had leapt into the hearth.

October 25th. Requested to compose a memorial haiku for Sojū.
Komoro.

With this staff's tip—through withered fields I go, through withered fields.

November 4th. Accompanied by Tateko, Shikoku and Kyushu trip.
On the train to Ashiya.

A mass of water plummets within the waterfall.

November 8th. This journey with Year-End—with Tateko and others to Minoh and Nara Shikarō Residence.
Viewing the waterfall.

Even in legends—offer a drink token! Autumn-leaf palanquin.

November 10th. Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Shikoku Haiku Conference.
Kotohira Public Hall.
Sakuraya. Lodged for two nights.

Persimmons reddening—travel’s sentiment grows deeper still.

Birds traverse—along the shore's pine grove.

November 11th. En route to Matsuyama by train.

He paid respects to graves of various forms.

He earnestly paid respects at ancestors’ graves.

Even when visiting，the small graves feel dear.

Small graves—he bowed deeply in reverence to that world’s form.

November 12th. Last night in Dogo, lodged at Funaya.
Visited the graves at Myōraku-ji, Renpuku-ji, O-Tsukiyama, and other sites in the Matsuyama scorched ruins.
Sakai Mokuzan Residence.

Chrysanthemums arranged—green tatami where meals were laid.

November 14th. Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Beppu Haiku Meeting.
Narumi.

A blue vase—inserting a white jade camellia.

November 16th. Kokura.
Tamamo Haiku Meeting.

Marubashi Shizuko Residence.

A single maple leaf scatters—such stillness.

My heart—do not disturb even the sound of fallen leaves.

Deep crimson leaves—tears well up—what can I do?

Longing for father—dew-laden autumn rain envelops me.

November 18th. Yesterday attended the Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Fukuoka Haiku Meeting, then lodged one night in Amagi and Ueno Kaya.
Visited traces of father’s past visit in Akizuki.
With Toshio, Tateko, and others.

Suitengu Shrine

The heart longing for father resembles an Indian summer day.

November 18th. Concluded the Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Yanagawa Haiku Meeting at the Tachibana Residence, then proceeded to Kurume, Ikada, and a small haiku meeting.
Lodged for one night.

In the valley’s slight opening—a rice drying rack stands.

November 20th. Over twenty people boarded a bus and traversed Kusu Highlands.
Rest at Yufuin.
Boarding at Beppu.

Thick futon, thin futon—the journey continues.

November 21st. Boarding from Beppu—aboard ship.

A single large leaf clings to my leg.

November 22nd. Ashya—Toshio Residence Gathering.

Since the helper had come, the pickling grew hectic.

Winter seclusion—the boulder's base sat firmly set.

November 30th. Mizuho and Sojū arrived.

Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The hospitality manifested through a gate-side bonfire and stove-side hearth fire.

I warmed my hands over the brazier and sat in stillness.

December 1st. Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative North Kanto Haiku Meeting.
Takasaki, Ukishiro.
Naritasan Lodging.

Travel bag still packed by my side—winter seclusion.

December 5th. Impromptu composition.

Kamakura.

Mountain Day resembles a mirror—winter cherry blossoms.

December 8th. Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Kanto Contributors' Haiku Meeting.
Tokyo, Kobiki-cho, Tanaka Residence.

Withered bush clover—my shadow figure floats and sinks.

A monk warming his hands faces a layperson at the brazier.

The elevator clunks down in the December town.

A beggar’s face contorts in the wind scattering fallen leaves.

December 9th. Poetry Recital Meeting.
Tokyo, Marunouchi Club Annex Room.

Two winters the trees stood without intertwining.

Winter seclusion—sending someone off becomes an event in itself.

December 17th. Akiyoshi Hanamori Farewell Gathering.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

I found today’s windblown snow sorrowful.

Three years already in this mountain dwelling amidst windblown snow.
The old man’s cane struck the frozen path in small steps.
The feast’s offerings lay scorched upon the heated kotatsu.

December 19th. Ku Ippo, Sen'gyo, Ken'ichi, and Kakutarō came.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Descending into the garden and walking four or five steps—winter seclusion.

December 22nd. Kokū, Ensei, and Mitsuyoshi came.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Shōwa 22

Last year, this year—could it all be memorial services thus?

January 1st. To Hasegawa Fumiko.

Komoro.

Voices taking karuta pause at the old man’s cane.

Winter seclusion—if there were something to move me

January 5th. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Warmth—the snow-laden mountain dwelling’s day-long rain.

The Narcissus Arrangement Gathering observes no strictures.

Frozen moth-brows stay undimmed—how poignant.

January 11th. Training session.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

A solitary cry, branch abandoned—winter crow.

Opening its mouth at last—the winter crow cries.

January 12th. Training session.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Plum branches displayed in the room, laid out in rows; a rooster sang.

January 18th. Training session.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Tonight indeed—suitable frozen tofu hangs.

Under the cold lamp, I finished writing down thoughts.

January 19th. Training session.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Meals diminished yet winter seclusion thrived.

Hunching against cold while gazing up at melting snow droplets.

January 23rd. Training session.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Under the cold lamp—thoughts without light or dark—ah.

Two lines written, one erased—under the cold lamp.

February 1st. "Tamamo Five Haiku Collection."
Komoro.

Soiled snow at the mountain house—daylight’s reach lengthened.

February 2nd. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Sweeping out the blown-in snow from the outhouse—ah.

February 15th. Current Matters.
Komoro.

The snow piling up in that mountain village where you live

February 19th. In Place of a Preface to *Saitō Hachirō’s Haiku Collection*.
Komoro.

Forgetting the snow’s presence, I passed the evening at this mountain house—ah.

February 21st. Current Matters.
Komoro.

In the mountain village, doll festival blossoms were pussy willows.

February 21st. Kōho, Shuntō, and Fumio came.
Komoro.

Spring still young—a horse bolts across Wakadono Plain.

My wife ill—spring's first breath on my birthday.

At the gate where frost thaws—people's comings and goings faltering.

Tea accompaniments—Doll Festival crackers and a shell scoop.

At the sound of the roaring bonfire, the shoji screen opens.

Reaching the ceiling—the dolls' imperial dais.

February 22nd. It being my birthday, I was invited to the Saturday Meeting and went to my hometown residence.
Kōho and the others were also present at the gathering.
Komoro.

No dolls, yet rice cakes for the festival are pounded in the storehouse—ah.

Flipping through the calendar reveals Doll's Day.

There were no dolls; only cleaning was done.

First shoots—plans to move stones.

March 2nd. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Komoro Haiku Hut.

Crossing paths and exchanging greetings on the rainbow bridge.

April 1st. To Aiko during illness.
Komoro.

Spring rain leaking through the shared umbrella’s handle—ah.

Can spring rain make things this dark?

Acting love-struck, men and women barefoot—ah, spring rain.

April 19th. "Tamamo Five Haiku Collection."
Komoro.

People come wading through the river too—the peach lodge.

Wandering astray while fording the spring waters.

May 4th. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Komoro, Oshidashi, Ōtsuka Ranch.

Embraced and leapt across—the spring waters crossed.

May 5th. Komoro Mountain Retreat.
Yonewaka came; we held a small gathering.

Once again new tea arrives—the monk’s good mood.

May 18th. The flower guardian came to Komoro.
Small Meeting.
Haiku Hut.

Inverted in spring water, I wash my hands.

The one carrying cut grass on their back and returning is that house’s child.

May 25th. Having been invited to Muramatsu Benika's residence in Maruko Village, Shinshu Province, I went.

Thinking snakes might dwell—the state of the old garden’s neglect!
A large spider appears as though small spiders were absent.

June 6th. Poetry Recital Meeting; Kamakura Poetry Recital Meeting (merged thereafter).
Kamakura Hermitage.

Life’s sorrow—I sat in the evening coolness and dozed off.

June 8th. In Tokyo.
Tamagawa, Uenoge, Sennan Villa.

To speak of resting while mountain climbing—rest we did.

I sat on the chair brought to the summer mountain for me.

June 9th. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
Zushi, Hayama, Horinouchi, Kawai Saga Residence.

The homestead overgrown—pine trees pierced by this year’s bamboo shoots.

June 10th. Horsetail Meeting.
Kamakura Hermitage.

Rain-soaked, the great summer tree stood like a boulder.

Hastily comes the May rain umbrella tilting forward.

The shared umbrella in the May rain is a student.

June 15th. "Hanamino Haiku Collection" Publication Commemorative Meeting.
Ueno Park, Umekawa-tei.

A figure stood at the water's edge of a summer mountain—ah.

Stems scrambled right and left—cherries in the sweets dish.

July 1st. Fūsei, Chikuso, Ichi, Kokū, and Ensei arrived.
Bunju and people from the hometown gathered.

Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Suitcases piled up to resemble a summer retreat.

I washed the tips of my hair like snakes.

July 5th. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Komori Matsuka came.

Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Summer clouds over the towering peaks of mountain ranges
The black butterfly flew away without any pride

July 12th. Saturday Meeting’s first anniversary.
Komoro hometown residence.
At that time, Kiyo, Hakusui, Sugao, Kōmatsu, and Sanbyōshi—all present in Komoro—attended as well.

A summer butterfly hit the blind and flew away.

August 3rd. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Grimly arrested the sun—the great summer tree.

I reflected on the intermittent wind through the blinds.

Bean vines wandered as if lost in moonlight.

August 5th. Training Session, the second day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Asama at their backs, a row of houses veiled the sun.

Ah, the woman who called the shooting star sorrowful.

August 6th. Training Session, third day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Sweeping forth a paulownia leaf as guide,

Hugging my knees in the reed-thatched round hut—ah, this coolness.

August 7th. Training Session, the fourth day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Summer heat seeping into bone—

We set down the shamisen and talked through a fireworks evening.

A cicada net passed beyond the fence.

Autumn grasses simply arranged—not without dignity.

Ghost stories ended last night; autumn begins.

August 8th. Training Session, the fifth day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Ah, wrapped in lightning—the small humble hut.

Broad leaves shroud the corn's male flowers.

Lightning comes to the knee and fades—how faint.

The rice ripens—a dragonfly clings to a child carried on the back.

May blessings be upon the woman who cracks walnuts.

August 9th. Training Session, the sixth day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The person who said “A rainbow approaches”—the rainbow vanished.

August 16th. "Tamamo Gokushū".
Komoro.
I thought of Aiko.

Autumn heat; I circled the room two or three times and sat.

August 18th. Saitama Tōne members arrived.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Autumn heat; the host’s preparatory wiping clean.

August 21st. Poetry Recital Meeting, first day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The great summer tree blocked the sun—an excess remained.

August 22nd. Poetry Recital Meeting, second day.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Chinese lanterns reddening—the host's bearing.

Evening shower—the neighbor's pole with laundry drying.

August 28th. I arrived at Yamaguchi Enseiki’s residence in Nagano together with Sojū, Harugasumi, and Tateko.
Stayed one night.

With a relatively small pestle, I ground sesame seeds.

While I was taking a nap, they prepared soba noodles.

The Togakushi mountains subside as the moon rises high.

August 29th. Trip to Togakushi.
With Nagano haiku poets, Sojū, Harugasumi, and Tateko.
Sai River Eastern Road.

The traveler’s heart of old—ah, fleas quiver.

Mountain mist descends—now the ritual dance, the sacred prayers.

August 30th. Stayed at Togakushi Hōkōsha Shrine and Tomioka.

Ah, a woman lay awake reluctant to sleep beneath this radiant moon.

Under moonlight they walked like soulless beings.

September 6th. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

New rice—a million-koku measure grasped in one hand.

September 11th. Nomoto Hisayuki sent the season’s first new rice, which arrived.

Komoro.

Those who once surrounded Shiki in multitudes—ah, his memorial day.

On Dassai Memorial Day, Meisetsu and those below also performed their rites.

With what lay at hand, we observed Shiki’s memorial—ah.

No regret, no pride—ah, Shiki’s memorial day.

Thus it came to pass—Shiki was memorialized.

All things—the heart of a passing autumn gale.

September 19th. Shiki’s Memorial Day (46th anniversary), small gathering.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Another person arrived, took position opposite, and threshed millet.

September 29th. Oikawa Sengoku et al. arrived.
Komoro.

The bathhouse enveloped in steam—ah, the moon’s hidden abode.

The mountain moon rose fiercely—wild.

Stood close by the bush clover gate—a sense of times past.

September 29th. Moon-Viewing Haiku Meeting.
Komoro, Yamashirokan.

Komoro, Yamashirokan.

The scarecrow faced me and held dialogue.

Among the people still lingered the aster.

I received yellow shimeji mushrooms again that someone had picked.

In Komoro, where remnants of autumn clear skies lingered, I leaned on my cane.

October 5th. Peach Blossom Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Vine-like emotions—ah, how easily they tangle.
I cannot find what I’m searching for as the days grow short.

October 11th. Saturday Meeting.
Komoro, Honmachi, Kakegawa Furusatoi.

The chrysanthemum field lay disordered before Shusho.

October 12th. May Meeting.
Komoro, Okoji Temple.

Futon packing nearby—ah, a farewell haiku meeting.

Blazingly bright, daytime stars appeared; fungi sprouted.

October 14th. Haiku poets from Nagano arrived in great numbers for the farewell.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The guests too took up brooms in the chrysanthemum garden.

November 1st. Poetry Recital Meeting.
Kamakura hermitage.

The lake too lies within this realm as wild geese traverse.

Lakeside reeds and rushes begin their gradual withering.

November 6th. Stayed at Nakai Yohkarō’s residence in Ōmi, Katata.

When called for midday meal while tending the bonfire,

November 7th. Ōmi, Sakamoto, Enryaku-ji.
Mother’s fiftieth-year memorial.

I ascended and descended such a precipitous path.

In autumn water, a salamander floated up and sank down.

November 8th. Katata, Sennaji Temple reminiscence.
Thereafter, a boat excursion on the inland lake.

Willpower slackened—ah, this late autumn warmth.

Looking up at drizzling skies—"It rains," they said—and we set sail.

November 9th. Chikubu Island excursion; onboard haiku meeting.

Ōhara draws near—oxcart laden with crimson leaves.

November 10th. By bus from Katata, crossing what they call Tochigoe Pass along the way.
Yamahata Heihachi; Makuzu Haiku Meeting.

The warriors' Uji River—eighty streams of autumn water

November 12th. Uji, Kōshō-ji Temple; Tamamo Haiku Meeting.

Uji River's bank—the inn's night cold, ah.

November 12th. Uji riverside; stayed at Kameisekiro.

In the Pure Land of Eternal Tranquil Light, I lay out fallen leaves thickly.

November 22nd. Bank of Japan Haiku Meeting.
Tokyo, Bank of Japan.

Amidst the late autumn rain, Ōhara women exchanged words as they went.

November 28th. Departed for Tokyo to attend tomorrow's Tamamo 200th Issue Commemorative Meeting.
Under Ku Ippo’s guidance, I stayed in Omori, Uchishiba.

Grimaced over ginger tea—the cold god.

December 13th. Commissioned by the Tokyo Times Company.
Kamakura.

The auspicious direction lay in simply advancing along this path.

December 18th. Tōkyī filming.
A haiku for the auspicious direction.
Kamakura.

I rose only to sit again - winter seclusion.

December 25th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Kamakura hermitage.

1948

I finished hiding here at the great winter tree.

January 24th. The Tokyo Tamamo Haiku Meeting came to Kamakura.
Kamakura Great Buddha Hall.

Against the camellia’s vividness—an old man alone.

February 10th. Family Meeting.
Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine Office.

More than women written in novels—the camellia’s vividness.

Creation favors red once more—the crimson camellia.

February 11th. Grass and Tree Meeting.
Hachimangu Shrine Office.

I named her Tsubakiko and had her attend by my side.

February 11th. Yamada Tokubei sent a female doll.

Garden walk: faced the camellia, then turned away.

I cut chrysanthemums as the wives and concubines smiled softly together.

March 4th. Horsetail Meeting.
Kamakura hermitage.

Spring orchids yearning for the mountain days of yore

The thatched house grew slender after its roof replacement.

Visiting graves, I am at the plum tree of Jufuku-ji Temple.

March 7th. Grass and Tree Meeting.
Jufuku-ji Temple.

When I stepped outside after ages—spring mud.

March 18th. Monome Meeting.
Kamakura, Kakuan-ji Temple.

Buds sprout—beyond the hedge, a train passes.

March 19th. Impromptu Composition.
(Hereafter I shall omit individual mentions of Kamakura.)

Harisan comes into view—the nunnery plum blossoms.

Near the nunnery veranda—buds sprout.

March 20th. Nippon Kogaku Cultural Department Haiku Meeting.
Eishō-ji Temple.

A person descending along the rocks—spring water.

In the spring water, I spread both hands—how joyful.

April 5th. Joint meeting of the Ise Tamamo Meeting and Ise Kinuta Meeting.
Ise Yunoyama Hot Spring, Juro Suunkaku.

In the sea where ama dive, pleasure boats float.

April 7th. Futamigaura. Stayed at Asahikan.
Shima tour.

Even ama find land preferable—peach blossoms.

April 8th. Observed ama divers working in the outer sea.

Did the man of old have a verse for this flower, or have none?

April 9th. I heard from Kiyo about a verse once presented to Furushima Kazuo.

A butterfly with pained wings—those sorrowful brows.

Spring night—

April 16th. Grass and Tree Meeting.
Jufuku-ji Temple.

I entrusted the peonies to wind and rain while lamenting.

April 21st. Impromptu Composition.

I awaited visitors for the peony viewing rounds.
I finished mending the hedge’s bamboo to a fresh green.

April 23rd. Poetry Recital Meeting. Hermitage.

The parent sparrow revealed itself timidly before people.

May 2nd. Grass and Tree Meeting.
Jufuku-ji Temple.

The deceased's portrait hung in the summer parlor.

May 20th. Gunma Prefecture, Kiryu. Kiryu Poetry Recital Meeting.
Okabe Park, Tosenkaku.

The nunnery's mosquitoes proved especially merciless.

May 30th. Honda Afuhi Tenth Anniversary Memorial.
Eishō-ji Temple.

In the old garden, all the snails were moving.

June 2nd. Monome Meeting.
Hachiman-mae, Kadomasa.

Hokkai's rainy season port—moored ships.

In straw sandals, riding a bareback horse—arrived.

June 15th. Departure for Hokkaido.
By automobile, passing through Sapporo en route to Noboribetsu Onsen.

How fortunate to have come—now enveloped in verdant winds

June 16th. Noboribetsu. Stayed at Takino-ya.
Visited Karurusu Hot Spring.

Winter sea—a single boat struggles through.

Watching the rainy season boat struggle—the Ainu stand.

June 17th. Shiraoi Coast.

The beach rose's thorns—sorrowful yet beautiful.

The mountain lake’s wind, rain, thunder and lightning were far from ordinary.

June 18th. Haiku meeting at Suimeikan on Lake Shikotsu’s shore.
By automobile, we headed to Sapporo.
Stayed overnight at Honganji Betsuin.

The midsummer night's gongs mingled with the chime's tone.

The Faculty of Science rests beneath an elm's vast shade in fragrant breeze.

Elm saplings—you are students; I am aged.

June 19th. Stayed at Honganji Betsuin.
Hokkaido University Auditorium. Haiku Convention.

Leaning against an acacia—Kiyo’s dream of Paris.

Summer clouds drifted slowly past the great glass door.

June 21st. Headed to Otaru; stayed at Wakōsō.
I wrapped myself in a blanket on the stormy deck.

June 22nd. Boarded the Hikawa Maru; return voyage.
The waves rage.
The fisherman's daughter stands sunburned yet comely; a crow takes flight.

June 23rd. Landed at Hakodate; haiku meeting held.
Returned to ship.

Two or three days of late mornings and afternoon naps; the journey home.

June 27th. Kamakura Tamamo Meeting.
Jufuku-ji Temple.

The summer butterfly came darting with keen-eyed intensity.

June 29th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Kamakura Sōan.

The mother and daughter's resembling faces too in summer emaciation

July 21st. Komoro. Stayed overnight at Tsuya.

Ceaseless washing without respite—this existence of mine.

In this transient world—a momentary doze and cicadas' coolness.

July 23rd. Training Session Day One.
Komoro Haiku Cottage.
Mingled with villagers through sunbaked town streets.

July 24th. Training Session Day Two.
Komoro Haiku Cottage.

Take heed—there may be a cause for summer emaciation.

Moment by moment, the heat assails; I sit and endure.

July 25th. Training Session Day Three.
Komoro Haiku Cottage.

When was this shrine completed—the summer grove stands.
Summer trees concealing ten people—I gazed upward.

July 26th・Training Session Day Four
Komoro Haiku Cottage

The two graceful sisters light lanterns

July 27th. Furukawa Sosui memorial.
Kamakura.

Through a connection, I conducted the memorial for Moritake.

August 8th. Conducted a modest Moritake Memorial at Kamakura Sōan.

Solemnly conducted the purification ritual for the Moritake Memorial.

August 8th. Reminisced about the Moritake Festival held in Ujiyamada.

Nothing came easily—not even thinning out the vegetable seedlings.

August 25th. Nagano Poetry Recital Meeting.
Kamibayashi Hot Spring, Jinpyōkaku.

People held Shiki in their hearts and commemorated him.

September 4th. Shiki Memorial combined theme.

Left wild as it is, the grass withers.

A single soul trembles with the autumn wind.

September 13th. Horsetail Meeting.
Kamakura Sōan.

The moon of my familiar home—even in darkness

September 17th. Moon-Viewing Meeting.
Added Nobuko and Chiyoko to the kinship circle.

These days' lunch being awaited—bush clover flowers

September 28th. Butsuboku Meeting.
Behind the Kamakura Great Buddha, Horiuchi Kingorō's Residence.

No matter how dense the fog, no matter how fierce the storm—

October 4th. For the 80th anniversary of Japan’s lighthouse establishment—having been requested to contribute verses for lighthouse keepers—a poetic excursion to Kenzaki Lighthouse.
Together with Director-General of the Japan Coast Guard Okubo, Lighthouse Bureau Director Hashimoto, Hoshino Tateko, and others.

The nunnery’s precepts—here, chili peppers.

October 13th. Kamakura Tamamo Meeting.
Eishō-ji Temple.

In autumn skies, I surge forth—steadfast, steadfast—

October 16th. Grass and Trees Meeting.
Jufuku-ji Temple.

The autumn sun declined slightly, revealing the splendid garden.

October 17th. Poetry Recital Meeting.
Tokyo Yoyogi, Hatsuhana.

On seaweed-laden branches, swaying and drifting—a small boat.

October 29th. Kurione Invitational Banquet. Yokohama Isogo, Otowa.
Together with my elderly wife and Tateko.

The excursion group halted and clustered together.

Like drinking water, I eat persimmons—after drunkenness.

November 1st. Last night by night train; arrived in Kyoto this morning.
Rested at Hiiragiya Ryokan until afternoon.
In the afternoon went to Karasuma Ichijō Minami Nakata Yohēkyo and partook in a banquet with Ono Chikkyō, Fukuda Heihachirō, Kaneshima Keika, Takakura Kangai, Yoshii Isamu, Tanizaki Jun'ichirō, Toshio, and Tateko.

Viewing autumn leaves—even the nuns sat properly on the narrow veranda.

The great maple leaves stood as if about to blaze up.

November 4th. Left Hōkyōin and toured Enrian, Giōji Temple, and other sites in Saga.

Kansai Hototogisu Contributors' Haiku Meeting.
At Tairanbō.
This day, Ashiya Toshio stayed overnight.

Winter haze—only Koyō Pond remains.

November 5th. Hikawa Maru Meeting.
Incheon, Mori Nobikun-sha's Shiryoku Sansō.

Momijiyama reflected in the large glass sliding door.

November 16th. Butsuboku Meeting.
Behind the Kamakura Great Buddha, Horiuchi Kingorō's residence.

Noh costumes hung over—like the garden maple leaves.

November 19th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Kamakura Sōan.

A fine stone; fine small chrysanthemums lean together.

November 22nd. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
Kōsoku-ji Temple.

Cut bamboo laid out across the path ahead—ah.

November 23rd. Trip to Shimobe Onsen.
Haiku monument unveiling.
Together with Ryōtei, Masako, and Toshio.
Stayed at Yumoto Hotel.

While I eat persimmons, people come—persimmon village.

November 24th. Stayed at Kashiwagi Hakugo Residence in Ōmiae, Ake Town, Yamanashi.
Haiku monument unveiling.
The mountain retreat still stands at Gakuroku amidst withered trees.

November 25th. Passed by the old retreat at Lake Yamanaka; Asahigaoka Kuwahara Villa. Small Haiku Meeting.

Amidst withered trees, bows to the Buddha; the monk returns.

November 30th. Ōsaki Meeting.
Kōsoku-ji Temple.

The fierce returning sunlight—what a day of late autumn rain.

December 12th. Sōjūkai.
Jufuku-ji Temple.

Soft as mochi—the winter sun.

December 15th. Horsetail Meeting.
Thatched Hut.

A girl who admires me—ah, the yellow wagtail.

December 19th. During the Literary Composition Meeting, I heard from Ooka Tatsuo that there had been such a verse in the past.

In the tearoom too, modestly—the first laughter.

December 21st. Recording of the New Year Haiku Meeting was made for January 2nd broadcast next year.
Thatched Hut.
Organizers' seats: five or six people gathered around one brazier.

December 25th. Tamamo Haiku Meeting.
Tōkei-ji Temple.

Captivating eyes, seizing lives—consent and eagle.

December 27th. I sent a mourning poem for Ogata Kukyō to Okumoto Takao.

The coiled rope of the frost guard's vigor.

December 30th. Thirty-Day Meeting.
Inui, Susumu, Chūseki, and others came.
Thatched Hut.

The snowy mountain embraces the child of poetry, never to return.

December 31st. Fukazawa Sokutetsu’s eldest son Shōichi met with disaster at Aka-iwa Rock in the Minami Alps.
I looked at his posthumous works.
There were many poems.

Shōwa 24 (1949).

All who once composed verses gathered around this hearth—

January 4th. I was requested to provide a title haiku for the Ryōen Haiku Collection.

A day spent by the aging kotatsu.

January 8th. Current Observations.

People brought floral offerings and kettles among other things.

January 14th. Sōjūkai.
Jufuku-ji Temple.
I visited the graves with Hakusui and others.

In this area lingered traces of late autumn rain.

On the winter mountain, I took two or three steps and turned back.

January 15th. With Mikasa-no-miya and Tateko.
Behind the Great Buddha, Yoshiya Residence.

A withered tree with a child spread-eagled in the shape of 'dai'.

January 20th. Mogakai.
Horiuchi Residence.

The kesa you wear—the Dharma’s ceremonial floral robe.

January 30th. It was said Muryōshi would serve as vigil officiant at Shinnyo-dō Temple.

There exists such a thing as artistic dignity—plum and camellia.

February 3rd. Sojū of Niigata; spring haze; Ise’s golden brocade; water pole—along with Tateko and Kyoshi held an impromptu gathering.

A pole now lodged in seaweed-covered rocks sways.

February 24th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Thatched Hut.

Handmade tabi, generously worn and fitting well.

March 4th. Yoshiya Nobuko’s gift.

Putting away the Hina dolls while outside raged a storm.

March 5th. Shiika Memorial Service.
Eishō-ji Temple.
By chance, several haiku poets from Ise came.
The tethered dog grew bored; a butterfly flitted by.

March 20th. Sōjūkai.
Ōmori, Kōjitsuryō.

In the piercing cold, the kotatsu grew hot once more.

March 24th. The Narita group came.
Thatched Hut.

The peony appears fresh now that its frost cover has been removed.

March 25th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Thatched Hut.

Persistently, the cold spring days continued.

The bath-draining sound also reached the ears at the flower-laden inn.

April 2nd. Yoshieimon Yotsuya Mitsuke New Residence Haiku Meeting.

Spring waters—blue waves; autumn waters—blue waves.

April 9th. Ryōki Sōrō requested me to compose a haiku.

More than anything, I had regained the glow of flowers.

April 13th. Mōsugao Memorial Haiku.

Added green bamboo to old stalks mending the fence.

Bent fresh culms into place at the fence corner—repairing.

April 15th. Poetry Recital Meeting.
Thatched Hut.

Since all things become journeys carefree toward flowers,

In my aged days, I shall not tread fallen blooms as foes.

April 21st. Together with Tateko, I had been staying at Narumi and Usami Yasei Residence since the 20th.
I headed for Kuwana.
Sketching at Masume Residence.
Toshio came and we met.
Attended the Ise Tamamo Meeting.
Visited Shōgen-ji Temple.
Returned to Uome for Kiko’s provisional celebration.

Forgetting I’m on a journey—sleeping in this morning.

April 24th. Yasei Residence.

The haze over Kahokugata stretches as far as the eye can see.
Was I born to the fate of tilling Noto’s fields?

April 26th. Headed for Noto, Nanao.
Hakusui and Kunsha rode along.
Nanao Park, Nanao Haiku Meeting.
Wakura; stayed at Kagaya.

The wife of Yakamochi's yearning boat—or so it seems? The spring sea.

Growing acquainted with Noto's dialect while journeying through blossoms.

April 27th. Poetry Recital Meeting at Kagaya.
Sojū and Ōkashiko came; we met.
In the afternoon, I headed to Wajima and lodged at Hōraikan.

Briny layers worn—the ama diver's garment.

April 28th. Noto Hototogisu Haiku Meeting.
Wajima.

The chief priest removed his kesa and relaxed—blossom-accompanied guests.

April 29th. Went to Nakajima for the Renjō-ji Temple Haiku Meeting.
Stayed at Ōmori Sekisui Residence.

Kerria flower buds—receiving prayer beads.

With an old monk—a once-in-a-lifetime encounter while cherishing spring’s end.

May 1st. At Kaga Matsuto Residence in Kita Yasuda, I visited Himu at Myōtatsu-ji Temple and paid a visit to Eikyūjo.

Coolness—the talk of Shiki rises.

May 10th. Member of the Japan Art Academy; attended an imperial luncheon.

I forgot to put away a single petal—evening peony.

May 11th. Horsetail Meeting.
Thatched Hut.

A summer butterfly suddenly descends, then soars aloft.

May 16th. Ōsaki Meeting.
Eishō-ji Temple.

What a scene of lotus floating leaves spread all across the water.

Though not called a great tree—a summer grove.

May 19th. Mogakai.
Kakumasa.

The boat approaches Yunoshima on the scented breeze.

A hundred-foot bare rock—summer sea.

The waves grow slightly rough against the women on the pleasure boat.

May 23rd. Asamushi Hot Springs.
The previous day, I was at the Aomori Takagi Mochihana Residence.
Tateko and Yōko accompanied me.

The summer river’s water releases things with beauty.

Tekona-baa added new tea to the sweet rice cakes.

Apples scatter at noon—thunder rumbles close by.

May 25th. Went to Ōwani.
Stayed at Kaga-suke.

Azaleas and wisteria—a little under an hour strolling around the pond.

May 26th. Hirosaki, Koizumi Residence.

Stillness—the bamboo pipe's clear water sounds.

May 29th. The Tide Meeting and Sprout Meeting merged.
Tokyo, Hamarikyu Gardens.

The green-shaded path continues smoothly.

Be it a summer journey or merely daily routine—

A tranquil abode is sitting wherever a stone provides rest.

May 31st. Grass and Trees Meeting.
Kamakura, Great Buddha Hall.

Purple orchids blooming in full—the annual occurrence of this day.

June 4th. Celebration of Her Highness Princess Mikasa’s birthday.

In the shaded pond, lotus floating leaves still remain.

June 5th. Sprout Meeting.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine Office.

Days in the cell, contemplating heat and chill.

Through aged eyes—the blazing sky appears turbid.

June 15th. Horsetail Meeting.
Thatched Hut.

The new building has aged prematurely—May rain.

June 16th. Mogakai.
Kakumasa.

Dripping, they fall to the ground and bleed crimson—soapberries.

June 19th. With Sojū, Susumu, Yukino, Toshio, and others.
Thatched Hut.

What gathers in the ditch-stream? May rains.

Brightening yet half-darkened—the rainy season sky.

June 20th. Ōsaki Meeting.
Eishō-ji.

Should I have Tsubakiko hold a painted parasol?

June 24th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Thatched Hut.

Amidst all things of lush green—the Great Buddha.

June 28th. Grass and Trees Meeting.
Great Buddha Hall.

Requesting thickly brewed green tea; rainy season drowsiness.

Rainy season drowsiness—while contemplating peaceful death

In the meantime, tasks accumulated—rainy season drowsiness.

July 3rd. Visited Shinjin-kai.
Poets from Ise also arrived.
Thatched Hut.

On hot days I dwell within the heat—this hut of mine.

July 15th. Tree Ring Meeting members arrived.
Thatched Hut.

Waiting for guests—the summer zabuton’s smallness.

July 22nd. Poetry Recital Meeting. Thatched Hut.

The Milky Way at zenith—old age draws power therefrom.

The Milky Way westwards, people eastwards—a shooting star.

Kyoshi alone journeys west with the Milky Way.

The Western Pure Land is where the Milky Way descends.

Nostalgic—the neighbor closes the door; the moon deepens.

July 23rd. At midnight, he exited the mosquito net and opened the storm shutters to face the galaxy-laden sky.

A covering formed, bringing darkness and quietness and—

July 27th. Hakusui and the party from Kai Yoshida arrived.
Thatched Hut.

In the blazing heat stood a person like a rock.

July 31st. Endō Niraki passed away.

Things that were nurtured and brought here—bush clover and bellflower.

August 2nd. Revival at Mika Geisha.

Travel clothes sweat-soaked as they came calling.

August 3rd. Keiji and Yasei stopped by upon returning from Hokkaido.

What sound is that—the start of autumn?

August 5th. Sanetomo Memorial Service.
At Hachimangu Shrine.

Sweat-stenched yet feeling life's purpose—crowding among people.

Mountain Hotel's reception room facing the waterfall.

Large glass doors shut—no heat at this cascade-side inn.

August 12th. Saga Tōdō.
Visited Hakone Kiga Zuii-sō.
Their Highnesses Wakasugi and Yukari, together with Tateko.

To fetch milk, along the dewy mountain path to the pasture.

August 13th. Stayed at Zuii-sō.

Wearing leaves while circling round sunflowers.

August 17th. Oikawakeifū and other Ahiru-kai members arrive.

Life’s triteness—a revolving lantern.

Like an old man’s daily routine—the revolving lantern.

August 23rd. Second day of the Shinjinkai Summer Excursion.
Kamakura Sōan.

When I offer tea to the main deity, autumn mosquitoes emerge.

August 30th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Tōkei-ji Temple.

It was around the time when the Japanese Bush Warbler's first song began.

September 8th. At last year’s Hototogisu 600th Issue Commemorative Meeting held at Matsuyama Shōshū-ji Temple, Yanagihara Gokudō—who had founded Hototogisu—was also present.
He had been asked to provide the haiku for the monument erected at the temple.

Hibiscus in the garden—as if lifted from a painting.

A fine room with deep eaves—bush clover flowers.

In a fine house settling a wife—bush clover flowers.

September 18th. Fifteen-Person Meeting.
Shinjuku, Hamano Residence.

Nun—collected chestnuts as souvenirs, ah.

September 21st. Ōsaki Meeting.
Eishō-ji Temple.

Every time I go out to the autumn-clear beach, I pull the net.

September 25th. Grass and Tree Meeting.
Great Buddha Hall.

Clouds yet as if nonexistent—autumn weather.

September 26th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Grass Hermitage.

Autumn rain—the garden’s broom marks still remain.

October 5th. Impromptu.

Taking this path through summer shade, I went.

October 6th. Komagamine Fukyo was asked to compose haiku following Shiki’s Ou Travel.

Seeing asters, I still had not met with the haiku group’s members.

October 12th. Horsetail Meeting.
Grass Hermitage.
Put the half-eaten apple into the handbag.

October 16th. Grass and Tree Meeting.
Great Buddha Hall.

Whether they resemble or not—late autumn rain, ah.

October 17th. Upon hearing about the unveiling ceremony for Fūsei’s bust, I composed a haiku on a postcard.
I had not yet seen the bust.

On the seafloor coral flowers bloom—fishing for sharks.

October 19th. (Departed October 18th.
Embarked on a Shikoku/Kyushu trip) Tatsumaki 200th Issue Commemorative Haiku Convention, Kochi City Assembly Hall.
Stayed at Fudezansō.

In the morning chill, now they pound the ceremonial drum.

October 20th. At Fudezansō.

At my end, I shall cast myself into the galaxy.

October 20th. Kochi Poetry Recital Meeting.
Visited Hayashinamiki.
I viewed the haiku monument at the Nukigaden Residence Site and attended the Tamamo Haiku Meeting at Yōhō-ji Temple.

There are rice-straw mats; there are mountains of rice—past and present.

October 21st. Visited Enjukaku at Marugame Castle Site.

Spring tides—descendants of Japanese marauders, you and I.

October 22nd. Headed toward Hatomihama.
Stayed at Kōchōkan.
I presented to Mayor Imai Gorō.

Tsuruko most reverently prostrated herself before her deceased brother’s grave.

Leaving her heart in the incense smoke, she visited the grave.

October 24th. (Stayed at Yamatoya Bekkan in Matsuyama on October 23rd.) Matsuyama Tamamo Meeting.
Niece Imai Tsuruko was the adopted daughter of my deceased elder brother.

After visiting graveside(s), he immediately put out to sea.

Autumn waves rolling toward Hi no Kuni.

October 25th. Early morning. I headed to Beppu.
Beppu. I stayed at O-Tafuku.
Aboard ship.

If autumn leaves were arrayed as carriages, I too would ride.

October 28th. Nakatsu. I arrived at Tōiri Tatsumi Residence and headed toward Yabakei.
I stayed at Yamaguniya.

In the tumbling waters of mountain streams, an autumn butterfly.

October 29th. Haiku Convention.
Yamaguniya.

Children on a field trip, a female teacher, and pale autumn leaves.

October 30th. Passing through Fukaya and emerging at Bungomori, I returned to Beppu.
I stayed at O-Tafuku.

It is not that household harmony abounds with autumn wind.

November 2nd. Suma, Hansui Residence.
Silver Wedding Anniversary Haiku Meeting.
A small haiku meeting before departure on a short winter day.

November 3rd. Toshio Residence.
Hansui and Tetsuya, father and son, came for a small haiku meeting.
I headed to Nagoya.
I stayed at San'ei Hotel.

The old friend—the Gakushūin president—frost-laden chrysanthemums.

November 8th. Shimooka, Mejiro, Kōbaisō.
Sōjūkai.
Dr. René Crusse did not come.
Chazel came.
On the way, I visited Abe Yoshishige.

A late autumn rain—four rickshaws quietly.

November 13th. Futaba-kai and Donguri-kai joint meeting.
Tsuruoka Hachimangū Administrative Office.
Wakasugi, Their Highnesses Yukari, and Tateko went by rickshaw.

Preferring baggy tabi, they wore them.

November 18th. The Niigata contingent arrived.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Cold rain falls; all things wither across the garden's expanse.

I watched as everything in the garden hastened to wither.

November 24th. Ōhashi, Seiryū, and Seiha came.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The inn maid came through the garden maple leaves.

The pine decorations of an old Kamakura inn.

November 24th. Monome-kai.
Kadomashi.

To Sasanari - master of the second day.

December 18th. AK New Year Haiku Meeting (January 2nd) broadcast recording.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Receiving alms—am I too a beggar in spring's dawning?

Aged yet still prizing practice—the New Year's chant.

December 20th. In response to requests, I composed New Year's haiku.

I spent the Pine Gate period sleeping in and sleeping under the kotatsu.

December 20th. Horsetail Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The younger sister standing by the pine looked at the gate's edge and passed by.

December 22nd. Monome-kai.
Kadomashi.

When I stroke my face with a hand, the coldness of my nose.

With shaking teeth, I carefully eat the zōni as it is.

December 23rd. Poetry Recital Meeting. Komoro Mountain Retreat.

Shōwa 25

In the snow-threatening garden, I stepped down.

January 2nd. Susumu, Takeshi, Shūhei, Kangetsu, Masako, Tateko, et al.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

A dead horsefly kept trying to revive itself.

A winter sun lingered in some corner of the vast sky.

January 4th. Hototogisu staff arrived.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

The lustrous hi-fu overgarment of a beautiful elderly woman.

January 14th. Yoshiya Nobuko's mother, Masako, passed away.

Memorial.

The massive boulder of new growth below heaves itself.

February 24th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Komoro Mountain Retreat.

A woman with a habit of fidgeting with her breasts, hands tucked in sleeves.

Some claimed to have seen the first butterfly; others insisted they had not yet.

February 26th. 220th Day Meeting.
Tanaka residence.

A single point of yellow being the Mejiro red camellia.

February 26th. Night.
Yokosuka Tamamo Meeting.
Uraga Dock Lodging.

Fighting spirit still remained as I viewed the spring breeze.

I wish to share the heart of the spring breeze with people.

March 19th. Kiju Shukuga Dōjinkai.
Marunouchi Building Seiyōken.

Having entered the bath, I found spring days lingered abundantly.

March 20th. Fellow poets who attended the Kiju celebration continued to arrive.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.

A camellia appeared to float in the vast sky.

March 23rd. Horsetail Meeting.
Komoro Mountain Retreat.
In old age, I must not catch spring colds or such.

March 24th. Tamamo Kukai.
Great Buddha Hall.

Amidst the abundant sound of spring rain, now I exist.

March 25th. The Osaka Haiku Meeting with assigned themes was scheduled to be held on April 9th.

Caught amid the sheltering leaves, a camellia falls.

March 26th. Peach blossoms and safflowers arrived.
I arranged a trip to Komoro.

In Kamakura, here and there, I mended fences.

Having ascended the spring mountain a little—a four-eyed fence.

March 30th. Grass and Trees Meeting.
Jufuku-ji Temple.

At the flower-decked door, a sweets package thrown from the train.

A forest-clad tidal cape's cliffside camellia.

April 10th: On the 8th, I went down to Osaka with Tateko.
Nadaman lodging.
April 10th: I headed to Kishū with Tateko and several others.
On the way we disembarked at Kushimoto, visited Shionomisaki Cape, and held a haiku meeting with local poets at Kuroshio Hall.
Lodged at Yukawa Onsen Kiyomon.

Having passed through the years, I came again to Nachi Falls.

A waterfall hangs above the thousand-foot sacred cedar.

At Takimiga viewing platform - Seigantoji Temple's entrance

April 11th: I visited Nachi Falls.
Same lodging as before.

Even as I toss aside my old cane and tumble down—a slope adorned with flowers.

Honshu Paper Mill visit.

Exhausted day after day—a journey among flowers.

April 12th. I went to Shingū and attended the "Kumano" 30th Anniversary Haiku Meeting.
Same lodging as before.

Hot springs eternally overflowing—spring never ends.

April 13th. Arrived at Tennōji before six o'clock; returned to Osaka by train.
Nadaman lodging.
Kiyomon observations.

The master gone; fallen blossoms drift down the river by the gate.

April 14th. I disembarked in Kyoto and visited Hatsukoi's mother at her residence.

The paper door now closed, the spring lamp glows softly.

April 16th. Kamakura Mountain, Morita Tama Residence small gathering.
Prince Wakasugi was also present.

Having risen from illness, I lamented this meager spring.

April 26th. Impromptu Verse.

In the imperial garden open for viewing, pheasants raised their clamorous cries.

A butterfly flew—an imperial messenger from the archives.

To lament spring differed not from lamenting life.

Having heard His Majesty had commanded the chamberlain to show us Bear Valley Grass, I paid my respects in viewing it.

His Majesty had commanded that we be shown Bear Valley Grass.

April 28th. I visited Fukiage Imperial Garden.
Hosted by Prince Mikasa.
Within the Imperial Garden, we held a haiku meeting at Shimo Nishiki-tei Pavilion.
Their Highnesses, three chamberlains, Tateko, and I attended.
Her Majesty the Empress also graced us with her presence and viewed the selected haiku.

Waking at midnight to jot down a haiku, I lamented spring's passing.

May 1st. 77th Birthday Celebration Poetry Recital Meeting.
Kamakura, Kasei-ro.

Is it the old house creak-creak, or the rattan chair creaking?

May 3rd. Members of Kinuta came to Kuwana.
Thatched hut.

I was occupied with the child; the youngest daughter showed no sign of summer emaciation.

May 20th. Daibutsu-e.
At Hase Daibutsuden.

There were rattan chairs of every sort; all tried sitting on them.

May 21st. Clematis Flower Meeting.
Kugenuma, Hashimoto Residence.

Bamboo sheaths fell in sun and shade.

May 24th. Ōsaki Meeting.
Kamakura, Eishō-ji Temple.

Opening the storm shutters—the scent of summer trees washes over me.

May 30th. Niigata Poetry Recital Meeting.
Kakishō.
29th. Departure for Niigata.
Stayed at Shinoda Ryokan.
Masako and Tateko accompanied [me].
Kiyō also arrived.

Behind the Noh stage, the summer mountain enters.

May 31st. Visited Sado.
Kamo Lakeside; stayed at Homma Stage.

At times, the moon at Eguchi cast its radiance.

June 1st. I stayed at Homma Stage in Katagami, Sado.
On this day, I returned to Shinoda Ryokan in Niigata.

Gusting through the beach peas, the rain arrived.

June 1st. Niigata Tamamo Meeting.
Niigata Gokoku Shrine.

Sunlit young leaves; alternating with cloudy skies and signs of an approaching storm.

June 2nd. I had lunch at “Kosan”. I attended a poetry recital meeting at Kutarō-tei. I had dinner. I made observations at Shinoda Ryokan.

It was the last day of May and first day of June.

June 4th. I returned home on the 3rd.
I presented a haiku to Homma Tomohide.

In the cramped garden, camellias press heavily as shii trees thrive.

June 8th. Members of the Kanze Haikai Association came with Takeshi.
The haiku meeting concluded; “Kumano” at Kanze-ji.

Morning glories—
I know nothing of politics.

June 10th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Thatched hut.

A single task amid the snail's slow passage.

A white cat now unseen—green pampas grass

June 20th. Ōsaki Meeting.
Eishō-ji Temple.

Sitting on the veranda, I faced the summer mountain.

The summer mountain right there at the eaves' edge.

June 26th. Grass and Tree Meeting.
Great Buddha Hall.

Monks and laypeople mingle and relax in summer robes—

June 28th. Narita Shinshōji Temple.

A windmill ablaze in the sunset spins round.

June 30th. After attending Yoshiemon's banquet, a haiku meeting at the Maritime Safety Agency.
I followed Tateko and went.

My garden's small green shade—a place of respite.

July 14th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Thatched hut.

In the blazing sky sways that solitary tree—

July 18th. With Yoshiemon, Chiyo, Masako, Kiyomoto Umekichi, Natsuko, Tokuho, and members of my family at Kashōrō.

The disciples gathered; the host’s midday nap had still not ended.

July 22nd. Kyoto Harukai and Tokyo Shinjinkai Joint Haiku Meeting.
First session.
Thatched hut.

Was there worth in our braving these sweltering days to gather?

July 24th. Same, Third session.
Thatched hut.

The red morning glory I awaited bloomed this morning.

Fireworks echo through Kamakura's mountains—
Morning fireworks—the crowd for sea bathing, ah.

July 30th. The Narumi Contingent from Nagoya came.
Thatched hut.
Kamakura—at peony roots, a crab plays.

The miniature garden's next day—an early riser tilts askew.

July 31st. An impromptu meeting.

In my comings and goings—morning glory, what of you?

August 18th. Sent to Iwaki Tsutsuji.

The morning glory flower—master of morning slumber.

August 26th. Jitsuka Residence.

A single bush clover begins to bloom; dew starts to settle.

August 28th. Duck Meeting. Thatched hut.
Thatched hut.

Henceforth, I shall take deer and monkey as disciples.

September 6th. September 16th: Ku Ippo’s Installation Ceremony at Kanoyama Jinnouji Temple.
Dedicated to Ku Ippo.

Autumn wind sweeps through once—plants and trees.

September 9th. Poetry Recital Meeting. Thatched hut.

The sky looms high—all vine tips without refuge.

September 14th. Inui; rock ptarmigan arrived.

Autumn clarity—both guests and host stroll the garden.

To those watching, they sway slightly—the bush clover flowers.

September 17th. Bokusui, Tan'i, and others came.

As I slept amidst the chirping insects—ah, Buddha!

The sound of hammering nails echoed through the old house—an autumn storm.

I cut the remaining bellflower blooms and arranged them.

My sleeve rustled too; the tree leaves too—all swaying in the autumn wind.

September 24th. Tamamo Meeting.
Eishō-ji.

How splendid the moon—the treetops in evening glow.

In the moonlit garden, things ordinarily unnoticed came into view.

Scattered like moondrops they were perceived.

September 25th. Sōjūkai and Keitōkai merged.
Hase Great Buddha Hall.

My aged eyes dazzled—autumn’s clarity.

September 26th. Ōsaki-kai.
Eishō-ji.

The white hibiscus—nothing whiter exists than its white.

September 27th. Horsetail Meeting.
Thatched hut.

Autumn wind—in the garden's large tree, I hide
This fallen leaf—how far will it tumble away, I wonder.

September 30th. May Rain Meeting.
Kitakamakura, Kōkōtei.

White hibiscus: receiving the pine's dewdrops—get soiled.

Aged yet retaining an artist's temperament—autumn lined robe.

October 5th. The Niigata contingent arrived; Poetry Recital Meeting.

The chrysanthemums were bound with rough rope.

October 13th. Enju-kai, Second Session.

The path to the waterwheel site lies flat—autumn-tinted grasses.

October 19th．Last night，I stayed at Komoro Tsutaya．

Adorned Asama range above the town．

October 20th．I stayed．
In the afternoon，I returned to Kamakura．

Chilly morning—people took to their respective duties．

October 24th. Ōsaki-kai.
Eishō-ji.

Today cold, yesterday hot—I find living burdensome.

October 25th. Horsetail Meeting.
Thatched hut.

Sharing an umbrella with Buddha—the late autumn rain.

October 25th. Preface poem for Nomoto Hisayuki's haiku collection.

The mountain tit's uncle reads an old magazine.

October 26th. Sprout Meeting.
Kakumasa.

A word from him, a word from me—autumn deepens.

October 28th. Yawata Bunboku Festival.

I sweep away the dust between bush clover and susuki grass.

October 30th. Tamamo Meeting.
Jufuku-ji.

Beside me, as if no one were present—the first laughter.

November 10th. In Weekly Asahi.

Searching for things, tidying up—winter seclusion.

November 12th. Impromptu.

Stopping the hand that strikes the shuttlecock—"Give it to Dōkyō."

The first calm comes to the beach—intending to gather jewels.

First calm—all the shore-trained pines lean askew.

《Miyuki》 reached its fiftieth issue, it seemed.

Winter sun now on the pine, on the cheek.

November 14th. I was asked by newspapers and magazines to contribute haiku.

Fallen chrysanthemums—left unpicked up, swept away.

November 16th. Poetry Recital Meeting.
Thatched hut.

As I walked through the withered vegetation, a path appeared.

Mother and elder sister singing and passing down temari songs.

November 24th. I was asked by newspapers and magazines to contribute haiku.

The Yoshiwara of late, unaware—Tori-no-Ichi market.

November 25th. Mogakai.
Kakumasa.

An autumn wind—I read the unpunctuated Tang Poetry Anthology.

Winter desolation—sitting on a rock, I am alone.

November 27th. Grass and Tree Meeting.
Great Buddha Hall.

I will prepare dried shark as piled kobumaki kelp rolls.

November 27th. Zenjibō sent dried shark he had reportedly caught himself in the river.

Wearing a neck wrap, remaining dyed in deep autumn hues.

November 28th. Ōsaki Meeting.
Eishō-ji.

I sit on a stone - then comes the late autumn rain.

November 30th. Shippōkai.
Thatched hut.

First cleaning—white handcloth and crimson apron.

New Year's Day—how those ancients must have pondered each rice field.

December 10th. I was asked from various quarters to contribute New Year's haiku.

Zōni born of raising many children—ah.

A tongue slightly bent—auspicious spring of old age.

This year Shiki's fiftieth memorial and the spring of old age.

Other matters—completely unknown—the spring of old age.

In both hands—a jewel and a stone—the spring of old age.

December 13th. The same.

Exceedingly courteous—how old-fashioned the mannered one is.

Like a rod running through last year and this.

This woman now radiantly drunk on Toso—

Round faces, melon-seed faces beneath New Year's pine boughs

Without pretense or pride—the spring of old age

December 20th. New Year Broadcast.

As if holding the world's state in hand—within the kotatsu's warmth.

December 21st. Horsetail Meeting.
Thatched hut.

The provisions were two bales of charcoal under the eaves.

December 22nd. Ōsaki Meeting.
Eishō-ji.

Leave the drunkard weeping over hot sake be.

Hot sake—the female lay practitioner sits cross-legged.

Even as a woman of heated sake, I would see her.

December 23rd. Mogakai.
Kakumasa.

Praising frost-laden chrysanthemums yet leaving them uncut.

December 24th. Tamamo Meeting.
Kōmyō-ji.

The oden shop's daughter - foolishly beautiful.

The town grew lonelier still with kadomatsu erected.

December 27th. Grass and Trees Meeting.
Great Buddha Hall.

A stove's diminutive chimney in a small study

December 30th. Shippōkai.
Thatched hut.