Summer is a season that has long captivated the hearts of poets, inspiring them to craft haiku that encapsulate the essence of this warm and vibrant time of year. This collection of summer haiku explores the beauty, simplicity, and profound depth that can be found in the season.
Matsuo Bashō (1644 – 1694)
Dried grasses—
and just a few heat waves
rising an inch or two
—BASHŌ
Even the clams
keep their mouths shut
in this heat
—BASHŌ
Octopus pot—
evanescent dreams of
the summer moon
—BASHŌ
In these haiku, Bashō demonstrates his ability to use simple, concrete imagery to convey the atmospheric and emotional qualities of summer. Whether depicting the oppressive heat, the silence of nature, or the dreamlike nature of a moonlit night, Bashō’s haiku invite readers to engage with the sensory and emotional aspects of the season, offering a glimpse into the profound world of nature and human experience.
Yosa Buson (1716 – 1784)
Short summer night—
flowing through reeds
bubbles from crabs
—BUSON
Early summer rains—
lunging at the blue sea
muddy waters
—BUSON
Early summer rains—
even nameless rivers
are fearsome
—BUSON
Buson’s haiku, like those of other master poets, captures the essence of the season with simplicity and depth. Whether conveying the ephemeral beauty of a short summer night, the transformation brought by early summer rains, or the overwhelming might of nameless rivers, his poems remind us of the ever-changing and dynamic nature of summer.
RYŌTA (1718–87)
The cuckoo
with a single song
has established summer
—RYŌTA
Summer rains—
secretly one evening
moon in the pines
—RYŌTA
Ryōta’s haiku showcase his ability to convey the subtleties and nuances of the changing seasons, whether through the call of the cuckoo heralding summer’s arrival or the serene ambiance of a summer evening during light rain. These poems offer a glimpse into the sensory and emotional aspects of the season, capturing moments of natural beauty and introspection.
Masaoka Shiki (1867 – 1902)
Summer cool—
in the green rice fields
a single pine
—SHIKI
Summer coolness—
lantern out,
the sound of water
—SHIKI
Shiki’s haiku are known for their ability to capture the sensory and emotional aspects of moments in nature. These two poems, while short, offer rich depictions of the tranquility and respite that summer can bring, emphasizing the power of simple, sensory details to convey the essence of a season.
More Summer Haiku
How beautifully
the cow has slimmed down
in the summer fields
—BONCHŌ
Summer rains—
leaves of the plum
the color of cold wind
—SAIMARO
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