Life,
is it not like
a charcoal sketch, an obscure shadow?
—Toyokuni
Bitter winter winds...
but later, river willow,
remember to open your buds!
—Senryu
A fall willow tree:
unlikely to be missed
as much as the cherry blossoms.
—Senryu II
My path
to Paradise
is bright with flowers.
—Sokin
A willow branch
unable to reach the water
at the bottom of the vase.
—Shigenobu
A night storm sighs:
"The fate of the flower is to fall" ...
rebuking all who hesitate
―Yukio Mishima,
The night flies!
My life,
how much more of it remains?
―Masaoka Shiki
A summer river:
disdaining the bridge,
my horse gallops through water.
―Masaoka Shiki
After the fireworks,
the spectators departed:
how vast and dark the sky!
―Masaoka Shiki
I got drunk
then wept in my sleep
dreaming of wild cherry blossoms.
―Masaoka Shiki
We cannot see the moon
and yet the waves still rise
―Masaoka Shiki
The first morning of autumn:
the mirror I investigate
reflects my father’s face
―Masaoka Shiki
As thunder recedes
a lone tree stands illuminated in sunlight:
applauded by cicadas
― Masaoka Shiki
