Spring
Loudly bewailing
vanity of fleeting lives
evening cicadas.
The scent of the plum
with longing recalls the past
sweet tendrils of Spring.
Leaves growing thickly
and the longing for lost friends
now enters our minds.
Iris on the roof
young rice shoots are planted in
waterfowl cry out.
White evening-glory
sensing cottage smoke in June
purification.
Evening spring-time dream
disappearing so quickly
dust before the wind.
In Spring’s blue twilight
whisperings in the wet grass
even toads make love.
The small wet garden
reflected in my window
majestic iris.
A dreary spring day
and on its endless cycle
softly falling rain.
A budding flower
announces the unfolding
of a virgin soul.
Bidding Spring farewell
like a parting from old friends
hearts filled with sorrow.
Broken clouds, sunlight
casting prismatic colors
through dew-drop lenses.
Evening spring Venus
ever approaching moon
will they touch tonight.
From the neighbors yard
beckoning our senses
sweet scent of plum.
Some may-flies hatching
on the cool spring breeze sounds of
small ayu splashing.
Wild green canary
seeks bugs beneath the leaves
moving so quickly.
Springtime geese return
high against the pale new moon
again sadness felt.
Looking neat and prim
in a natty white apron
Equinox Jizo.
Beneath curving roofs
the bursting cherry blossoms
Hikone’s spring gift.
Hard-pouring spring rain
in sheltering trees the birds
no longer singing.
In June the rains come
Disagreeable weather
plums are ripening.
Small metallic sounds
The gardener planting iris
at the waters edge.
Churning spring waters
their strong instincts conquering
carp struggling upstream.
At the festival
Beneath the cherry blossoms
dancers move slowly.
Springtime Cha-no-yu
the peaceful harmony
relaxing my mind.
A warm early Spring
snow to water melting fast
rivulets rushing.
Walking forest paths
somewhere in the mist a flute
making dream-like sounds.
Silent temple yard
in drizzle of cold spring rain
the smell of wet stones.
At Gion temple
admiring e-ma paintings
on a rainy day.
Stillness after rain
breathing hot humid air
brown puddles standing.
A great sadness felt
final blossoms are falling
the going of Spring.
Overdue spring rains
toads from dried up streams emerge
summer cycles start.
Beneath pink hagi
on a skull dewdrops have formed
a toad licks them off.
Mist on Hieizan
tourist being photographed
wet monkeys watching.
On a spring morning
cherry petals sifting down
blending with azaleas.
In early April
awaiting the first pink snow
all eyes on the trees.
Fleeciest masses
of clouds tinged by pink sunset
May cherry blossoms.
Nature inverted
green leaves before blossoms
the mountain cherry.
Blossoms before leaves
veiling every twig and bough
in delicate mist.
In the olden days
crimson flame of peonies
on Daikonshima.
Walking thru the pines
soon the humid days will come
and the end of Spring.
Near Kamogawa
cherries weeping for themselves
as their faces drop.
Kamogawa trees
planted by Hashimoto
pink tears remember.
For one thousand years
a cherry tree on this spot
spirt of Kammu.
From the dark brown muck
brilliant clumps of white iris
each spring at Heian.
A group of black kites
gliding over reed-filled ponds
seeking cranes eggs.
A sound of jingling
heard on the evening spring breeze
the priest’s alarm staff.
Flying Like snowflakes
cherry petals fall thickest
on Mt. Yosino.
In old Kyoto
the most beautiful blossoms
are seen at Heian.
Gently, some falling
cherry petals decorate
my blue yukata.
A floating castle
seen thru cherry blossom clouds
at Hirosaki.
Summer
Some late night crickets
singing louder than the fan
seeking summer loves.
At the city zoo
in sunshine an elephant
is dreaming small thoughts.
‘Midst the ancient trees
buildings fragrant in the heat
Welcoming Autumn.
Myriad insects
dreamy voices of summer
enchanting the night.
Pampas grasses wave
bidding farewell to summer
welcoming Autumn.
Through the summer night
murmuring sounds of waters
mingle with sutras.
Falling summer rain
washing away the fireflies
a delicious night.
Below the mountain
the crows fly in groups
toward the setting sun.
Wild geese in the sky
on the ruffle of the breeze
cicadas chirping.
Wheat harvest over
the voice of the cicada
says summer has come.
Dusted with pollen
a clumsy black bumble bee
seeking warm nectar.
Black tadpoles wriggling
in the brown muddy waters
soon the toads will dance.
Locusts in the trees
mikan blossoms on the air
do they smell the scent?
A tiny spider
on a gossamer-thin thread
flying in the sun.
Geta on the step
enjoying warm noontime sun
a red dragonfly.
In the warm garden
he is steeped in tradition
the bearded iris.
The scarlet sun
burning with bright flame destroys
our today’s mistakes.
In summer shower
a brown decaying mushroom
shelters a green snail.
Near purple iris
an old man meditating
gentle golden thoughts.
In hot summer sun
watching a small green inch-worm
measuring a leaf.
Glowing in the dark
bright goldfish and generals
nebuta lanterns.
In crazy circles
ears listening for insects
the drunken brown bat.
Meandering streams
mingling with purple iris
in endless patterns.
A strange quiet night
some rare fireflies near the lake
sweet scent of iris.
Steamy summer day
stained-glass wings brightly flashing
thirsty butterflies.
From summer forest
a chorus of insect tunes
singing Basho’s praise.
In hot summer sun
some nodding pink hollyhocks
a curious bee.
Sticky summer heat
the futaku tells us of
a moment’s relief.
In an acorn cup
a cool drop of crystal dew
for a fairy’s thirst.
Dried-up grasshoppers
lying in the summer heat
so must Buddhas pass.
On a summer day
Nara’s deer, like Hokkaido’s
are always hungry.
Chewing bitter grass
watching white clouds overhead
dreaming of matcha.
In blue summer sky
clouds appear then disappear
that old girl’s magic.
Sweet purple iris
from the warm summer garden
unearthly incense.
Precious nature art
from within, lingering songs
amber cicadas.
Bon festivity
slowly drifting down the stream
thin paper lanterns.
The mosquito’s hum
such a tiny voice to hear
in the scheme of things.
Munching in the night
silkworms on mulberry leaves
one leaf, two leaves, three.
In summer moonlight
the magnolia’s shining face
invites the white moth.
In summer darkness
night flowers await the moon
soon the moth will come.
Summer night pond-songs
singing deeper than the rest
a hulking bull-frog.
This hot July day
Tanabata festival
a spider weaving.
In the July heat
celebrate the weaver bird
Tanabata day.
In twilight glowing
supporting a bright-green frog
red water lily.
Rolling in the dust
black hooves in sun glistening
spirited ponys.
In summer bamboo
three small sparrows looking trim
in their white collars.
Warm summer morning
in the grass dark green melons
cool dew glistening.
Beneath the footbridge
feet cooling in the water
an old man sleeping.
Gentle garden snake
in it’s mouth a grasshopper
legs mutely kicking.
Faces to the sun
prickly fuzz makes my skin itch
summer hollyhocks.
Against summer sun
warbling their siloloquies
unseen meadow-larks.
On a summer day
pigeon droppings on my head
add to discomfort.
A slight sound above
on my skylight bird droppings
snowflakes in July.
In the trees at dusk
now and then a rustling sound
quail return to roost.
On the embankments
and along the sandy beach
summer moonflowers.
A meteorite
reflected on the dark pond
uncaring frogs sing.
In the sparkling pools
tiny ayu fish darting
eyes so clearly seen.
Nature’s gems unveiled
rubies flashing in the sun
two young dragonflies.
From the scraggy bush
a young man picking hagi
for his lover’s hair.
On the summer air
voices and songs, bells and bees
the pleasures of sound.
The scent of flowers
thinly sweet on tepid air
a humming of bees.
On a summer night
dipping up some pond water
the moon in my palm.
Unbearded iris
sweet perfume on summer air
her feminine charm.
Working the hardest
at the summer polo game
a little horse died.
Thirsty mosquitoes
clinging to the summer net
humming their blood-song.
Near temple buildings
overcoming benjo smells
sweet iris perfume.
In early morning
a grasshopper on a leaf
sucking a dew-drop.
Summer’s choking heat
in the shadows a dark form
slowly moving toad.
Kyoto Summer
artist’s brushes laid aside
ambitions melting.
In summer darkness
from the silent cat-tailed pond
sucking sounds of carp.
Beautiful flowers
peeping over the high wall
brightening a dull day.
On a humid day
skating where there is no ice
dizzy water-bugs.
This sere summer heat
difficulty in painting
oils drying quickly.
Fat golden-bronze quail
stretching to the millet heads
beneath the pampas.
Clatter of horses
ghostly warriors passing by
Gion festival.
At the ryokan
limply in chairs reclining
two old gentlemen.
On a maple leaf
floating down a glass-clear stream
yellow butterfly.
In summer moonlight
egrets preening in the reeds
the sound of an owl.
Summer festive sounds
all along the river banks
reflected lanterns.
Summer lotus leaves
frogs above large koi below
all soundly sleeping.
In the heat of night
soundless flashes in the sky
summer lightning storm.
On this summer day
tasting the sublime feeling
of doing nothing.
I watched the rocks grow
my conciousness grew with them
mystic Nanzenji.
In the crystal creek
strange dancers without music
spinning water fleas.
Begging summer koi
what earthly food is needed
for rainbow jewels?
Who lives with beauty
loving nature and her charms
dies beautifully.
In faded tea room
guests reflectively sipping
froth of liquid jade.
Ghostly wisps of smoke
through bamboo trees in moonlight
the mosquito punk.
Fifty kinds of moss
delight the eye and insects
at Kokedera.
Flowing words then bells
monks’ deep rich voices chanting
throaty golden sounds.