The path of flowering thorn : the life and poetry of Yosa Buson

Yosa Buson (1716-83) is a towering figure in the history of haiku. A painter by profession, Buson took delight in the natural beauty of colors and forms as well as in the artistic beauty of composition. A seeker of ideals that were more aesthetic than religious or moral, he freely let his imagination wander into a land of exotic beauty far removed from contemporary society, often evoking ancient China, Heian Japan, and the world of the supernatural. This book presents an overview of Buson's life and poetry, beginning with speculations on the mysterious circumstances of his birth and then tracing the various stages of his career as poet. In the process, the author cites some 180 of Buson's haiku in English translation, and analyzes them from a predominantly biographical point of view. The book is illustrated with twelve examples of Buson's work as painter and calligrapher. Yosa Buson (1716-83) Is A Towering Figure In The History Of Haiku. In Reputation His Only Rival Is Matsuo Basho, The Very Father Of Haiku, Who Almost Singlehandedly Elevated The Seventeen-syllable Verse To A Mature And Viable Poetic Form During The Seventeenth Century. While Buson Considered Basho His Mentor And Actively Participated In The Return To Basho Movement, He Was Also Aware Of His Distinctly Different Temperament And Consciously Attempted To Cultivate It In His Poetry. This Book Presents An Overview Of Buson's Life And Poetry, Beginning With Speculations On The Mysterious Circumstances Of His Birth And Then Tracing The Various Stages Of His Career As Poet. In The Process, The Author Cites Some 180 Of Buson's Haiku In English Translation, And Analyzes Them From A Predominantly Biographical Point Of View. He Also Discusses Buson's Outstanding Achievements In Renku (linked Verse), Haishi (long Poems In The Spirit Of Haiku), And Haibun (haiku Prose). The Book Is Illustrated With Twelve Examples Of Buson's Work As Painter And Calligrapher. Makoto Ueda. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 205-208) And Indexes. Preface Contents 1. The Beginning of the Path 2. The Wanderings 3. Return to the West 4. More Painter than Poet 5. Ascent to Haikai Mastership 6. Detached from the Mundane 7. Toward Haikai Reform 8. In Search of Lost Childhood 9. Old Master with a Smile 10. The End of the Path Appendixes A. Forto Undatable Hokku B. Three Kasen of the Buson School Reference Matter Selected Bibliography Index of Buson’s Hokku in English Index of Buson’s Hokku in Japanese General Index