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Darriel Morris

ENG 223 Haiku

Dr. Laing

Annotated Bibliography

July 13, 2020

Introduction

Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) is a world-renowned master Japanese haiku poet that has

written over twenty thousand forms of the art and his work is still being translated to this day.

The following is an annotated bibliography of many valuable sources of information that have

greatly assisted me throughout my journey of researching the master. Finding the sources using

Google Scholar and the CSN research library, gave a much fuller picture than the basic Google

search. I found that there are many gaps in the story of Issa’s life and differences of opinion as to

why he became the master we know today. However, the following resources such as, The

Spring of My Life, written by Kobayashi Issa himself, eased my research path of analyzing the

master.

Dunn, R. R. "Poetic entomology: insects in Japanese haiku." American Entomologist 46.2

(2000): 70-72.

This article recounts a personal memory of her young cousin observing insects in a kind

and selfless way. Comparing this moment, to the four great forefathers of haiku; Matsuo

Basho, Yaso Buson, Kobayashi Issa and Shiki, and they each commonly wrote about

insects of all variations. Dunn compares the differences in the way each writer portrayed

insects and the way Issa is fully grateful for the small creatures. In his eyes, every piece
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of nature was as complex as it was beautiful. The author wonderfully depicts the reasons

why Issa was modest and humble and how we can all apply that concept to our own lives.

Issa, Kobayashi. The Spring of My Life: And Selected Haiku. Shambhala Publications, 1997.

The Spring of My Life is an autobiographical sketch of prose and haiku written by

Kobayashi Issa, translated by Sam Hamill. The beginning of the book briefly describes

the history of Issa’s life and who he was, only adding to the overall beauty and

agelessness. The author also adds over one hundred and sixty translated versions of Issa’s

haiku. His translations attempt to reflect the true meaning that Issa intended, something

that is highly sought after by someone studying the art. Issa’s haiku are remembered for

being humorous and are easier to read than his predecessors. Hamill’s intent in capturing

that memory is met and done well.

Poetry Foundation. “Kobayashi Issa.” Poetry Foundation, 2020,

www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/kobayashi-issa

The Poetry Foundation shows a brief overview of Issa’s life and sorrows. It assesses the

themes that are commonly seen in his work and the many different creatures he wrote

about. This website includes a black and white sketch of what Kobayashi Issa’s

appearance was assumed to be. There are even a few of Issa’s famous haikus that you can

click on and expand to see the full translation. This is a great source of quick information

that is still able to give you a full picture of who Kobayashi Issa was.

"Selected Haiku by Issa" eMediaVA.org. Version 3.75.1. eMediaVA, 17 Sep. 2013. Web. 11 Jul.

2020. https://emediava.org/lo/1220878447

Robert Hass is a widely known and celebrated American poet that also translates many

famous Japanese haiku masters such as Basho, Buson and Issa. In the short clip, he goes
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through reading some of Issa’s famous haiku in front of a live audience. The emotion of

laughter and happiness fills the air, highlighting the love and admiration Issa receives to

this day. Hass demonstrates the timelessness and relevancy Issa’s work left behind. Our

definition of “extraordinary” simply does not fit the modest nature of Issa, which only

shows that an ordinary person can be absolutely amazing to the greatest extent.

Ueda, Makoto. Dew on the grass: the life and poetry of Kobayashi Issa. Vol. 20. Brill, 2004.

This book goes through the history of Kobayashi Issa and the depths of his life and

experiences. It attempts to fill the many gaps of his background that many historians

struggle with fully identifying. From the beginning of Issa’s difficult childhood to his

multiple failed marriages and loss of his children, Dew on the Grass, evaluates his

continued evolution towards humanity. The book analyzes the controversy within the

haiku community that Issa’s work has caused, as his childhood shaped a free-spirited man

who did not conform to any standards. Makoto Ueda carefully illustrates both Issa’s work

and his lifetime, as well as his overall effect on the world of haiku.