Matsuo Basho was the most famous poet of his day (1644-1694). He is considered the greatest master of the haiku form. His haikus may be the most well-known and most-translated.

For those of us who do not read Japanese, we can only read him in translation. The subtle differences in translating his small poems from Japanese creates amazing variations when they are translated into English. You can find the same poem translated many, many different ways, depending ultimately on the translators ear and own writing skills. I have seen some translations of Basho and other haiku poets that I especially like by poet Robert Hass. If Hass’ translations are accurate I cannot say. I can only say that I like the result.

Here are a few poems by Basho that seem apropos to winter and the New Year. I do not know the translators on these, though I suspect that Hass could have done one or two of them.

Enjoy!

First Snow
First snow
falling
on the half-finished bridge.

First Winter Rain
First winter rain–
even the monkey
seems to want a raincoat.

Awake At Night
Awake at night–
the sound of the water jar
cracking in the cold.

On New Year’s Day
On New Year’s Day
each thought a loneliness
as winter dusk descends