Japan Poems - Poems about Japan

Truth in Japan: True gentleman Don't have game plan....Read the rest...

Light fades, drums serenade Curtains drawn, swords displayed. Kin of Daimyo cheer on Samurai In their artistic display of kung foolery. Time fades, Meiji Restoration came Like daybreak, a new Japan made. The sun...Read the rest...

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Jovial Dr Jekyll played for juvenile Justice a just jaspered journey jokingly jumped...Read the rest...

Fukuda Chiyo-ni Haiku Fukuda Chiyo-ni was a Japanese poet and painter of the Edo period, also known as Kaga no Chiyo. Having seen the moon I can bid this planet farewell. —Chiyo-ni, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The moon settled in...Read the rest...

Fukuda Chiyo-ni Haiku Fukuda Chiyo-ni (1703-1775) was a celebrated Japanese poet and painter of the Edo period, also known as Kaga no Chiyo. CHIYO-NI POEMS ABOUT WOMEN AND DESIRE How alarming: her scarlet fingernails tending the white chrysanthemums! —Chiyo-ni, loose translation/interpretation...Read the rest...

Fukuda Chiyo-ni Haiku Fukuda Chiyo-ni (1703-1775) was a celebrated Japanese poet and painter of the Edo period, also known as Kaga no Chiyo. Because morning glories held my well-bucket hostage I went begging for water! —Chiyo-ni, loose translation/interpretation by Michael...Read the rest...

Snail travels to Japan in the fanciest way We see him traveling, he’s cutesy today He is wearing a camera around his neck. He stops to give the emperor a genuflect. His hat is from Australia, his eyeglasses from...Read the rest...

In the wind, I hear her laugh, A nervous giggle – so sweet and wild. On the night, skies soft and bright, Quivering with stars, lit by a spark from God. In the leaves, I hear her and remember… Just...Read the rest...

Dull clouds are backdrop for another dreary day Glancing around, he sets off on his daily walk Tree umbrellas cast dark shadows across woodland floors Mist swirls around trunks, glides across glades He walks on as shafts of...Read the rest...

Ono no Komachi Translations These are my modern English translations of the ancient Japanese poems of Ono no Komachi… "It's over!" Your words drizzle like dismal rains, bringing tears, as I wilt with my years. —Ono no Komachi, translation by Michael...Read the rest...

It was Tokyo's dry cold season I should’ve worn a plaid trench coat when ‘twas perfect to stroll around. It felt endless to wander under the lights of Shibuya Crossing; My destination was nowhere to be found. I wish I had...Read the rest...

The bizarre scene when Earth has been pressured And on Richter Scales this can be measured: When the immovable readily quake, Not a single hard rock failing to shake… A punishment too familiar to Japan At a period hitting her...Read the rest...

ZEN DEATH HAIKU XII These are my modern English translations of Japanese Zen Death Haiku. Both victor and vanquished are dewdrops: flashes of light briefly illuminating the void. —Ouchi Yoaka, loose translation/interpretation of his jisei (death poem) by Michael...Read the rest...

ZEN DEATH HAIKU XI These are my modern English translations of Japanese Zen Death Haiku. Above the garden the camellia tree blossoms whitely... —Uejima Onitsura, loose translation by Michael R. Burch Moonlit hailstones: the night hawks return. —Uejima Onitsura, loose translation...Read the rest...

ZEN DEATH HAIKU X These are my modern English translations of Japanese Zen Death Haiku. Forbearing the night with its growing brilliance: the summer moon. —Tsukioka Yooshi (1839-1892) , loose translation/interpretation of his jisei (death poem) by...Read the rest...