Mayumi Itoh

Haikus Inspired by Tsurezure Gusa: Part 1 Mayumi Itoh

This bilingual haiku collection is a homage to Tsureure-gusa (lit., "idle essays") by 'Yoshida' Kenk? (1283-1352; generally known as "Kenk?-h?shi" [Monk Kenk?]; his real surname was arguably Urabe). The 243 essays written by this hermitlike monk in Kyoto in the mid-14th century are characterized by witty anecdotes and wise aphorisms, as well as by deep insight and observations of life and nature. Tsureure-gusa is considered one of The Three Great Essays in Japanese classic literature.
This haiku collection (2022) presents original haikus by this author, inspired by Kenk?-h?shi's essays. Part I includes 81 essays (and preface) by Kenk?-h?shi in the order in which he compiled them and introduces 89 original haikus by this author, with annotations where applicable.