A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Haiku (with Online Audio)

An old pond;
a frog jumps in:
the sound of water
— Basho

Explore the essence of Japanese haiku with "Haiku Masterpieces." Renowned author and translator William Scott Wilson presents a captivating collection of 550 haiku by 26 celebrated poets, including Basho, Shiki, Buson, and Issa. Wilson provides fresh translations of classic poems and unveils hidden gems by lesser-known poets like Chiyojo and Natsume Soseki. Each section introduces the poet's life and work, followed by their haiku in Japanese script and English translation. Online audio recordings enhance the experience, offering both English and Japanese renditions of the timeless verses. Dive into this enchanting journey through centuries of haiku tradition, perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

About the Author:
William Scott Wilson was raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL; he holds BAs from Dartmouth College and The Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies, and an MA from the University of Washington. He has worked as a translator and advisor on cultural affairs for the Japanese Consulate-General in Seattle, Washington; a teacher of Japanese language; and a guide for Japanese tourists in South Florida. He has had 20 books published, variously translated into 21 foreign languages. Wilson was warded a Commendation from the Foreign Ministry of Japan, and inducted into the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese emperor.

Steven Heine is professor of Religious Studies and History and founding director of the Asian Studies Program at Florida International University. A specialist on East Asian religions and society, especially the origins and development of Zen Buddhism in medieval Japan, Heine has published three dozen monographs and edited volumes. 

Book Features:

• Free Online Audio Recordings
• Format:Hardcover, Jacketed
• Illustrations:31 b&w photos; 550 haiku from 26 poets in Bilingual English and Japanese Texts; online audio recordings of all poems
• Number of Pages:224Trim
• Size:5 1/8 X 8