Hisajo Sugita Haiku Translations

Hisajo Sugita was an innovative and influential female Japanese haiku poet: I remove my beautiful kimono: its varied braids surround and entwine my body ?Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch This day of chrysanthemums I shake and comb my wet hair, as their petals shed rain ?Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch This sheer kimono? how the moon peers through to my naked skin! ?Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch These festive flowery robes? though quickly undressed, how their colored cords still continue to cling! ?Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch Chrysanthemum petals reveal their pale curves shyly to the moon. ?Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch Loneliness? reading the Bible as the rain deflowers cherry blossoms. ?Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch How deep this valley, how elevated the butterfly's flight! ?Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch How lowly this valley, how lofty the butterfly's flight! ?Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch Echoes from the hills? the mountain cuckoo sings as it will, trill upon trill ?Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch