Masaoka Shiki

Japanese poet Masaoka Shiki is said to have breathed new life into the traditional art forms of haiku and tanka during his short lifetime (1867-1902).

Poems By Masaoki Shiki


on the pine needles,
each of the slender needles,
a dewdrop rests—
a thousand pearls lie
quivering, yet never fall
~~~~

On how to sing
the frog school and the skylark school
are arguing.
~~~~

Here is the dark tree
Denuded now
Of leafage...
But a million stars
~~~~

entangled with
the scattering cherry blossoms-
the wings of birds!
~~~~

far away
under the skies of America
they began
baseball—ah,
I could watch it forever!

Visit a monthly haiku contest named in Shiki's honor.