Kobayashi Issa Quotes

On the Death of his Child Dew Evaporates And all our world is dew...so dear, So fresh, so fleeting

Red morning sky - snail, are you glad of it?

The world of dew is the world of dew. And yet, and yet--

before the gate -- my walking stick's made a river of melting snow

Don't weep, insects -- Lovers, stars themselves, Must part.

In the city fields Contemplating cherry-trees... Strangers are like friends

Don't kill!... The fly is asking you To save his life By rubbing his hands together

Moon, plum blossoms, this, that, and the day goes

Even with insects - some can sing, some can't.

O snail Climb Mount Fuji But slowly, slowly!

Dry creek glimpsed by lightning

There is no stranger under the cherry tree.

In the cherry blossom's shade there's no such thing as a stranger.

Face of the spring moon- about twelve years old, I'd say.

Not gifted with genius but honestly holding his experiences deep in his heart, he kept his simplicity and humanity.

Carrying a poppy he passes through the quarrel.

Even in warmest glow how cold my shadow

Giddy grasshopper Take care...do not leap and crush These pearls of dewdrop

Summer night-- even the stars are whispering to each other.

Here I'm here- the snow falling.

What a strange thing! to be alive beneath cherry blossoms.

All the time I pray to Buddha I keep on killing mosquitoes.

Reflected in the dragonfly's eye -- mountains.

In spring rain a pretty girl yawning.

Listen, all creeping things, the bell of transience.

Arise from sleep, old cat, And with great yawns and stretchings... Amble out for love

To the fuki plant, dandelions, and their kind that lie for long patiently under the fallen snow, comes the season of breezy spring. No sooner do they see the light of the world, stretching their longing heads out from the cracks in the snow, than they are instantly nipped off. For these plants isn't the sorrow as deep as that of the child's parents whose child had accidentally died? They say everything in the plant and tree kingdom attains Buddhahood. Then they, too, must have Buddha-nature.

Where there are humans, You'll find flies, And Buddhas.