Masaoka Shiki (1867 - 1902)
A "Haiku" and "tanka" poet was Born in Matsuyama where he worked for the newspaper
company "Nippon" and studied "haikai" composition in his spare time. He was
to play a central role in the introduction of a new style of "haiku" based on
"Shasei", or sketches from life. This he achieved through the organ of the "haiku"
magazine "Hototogisu" (Cuckoo) that was founded by him. He published the book
"Utayomi-ni-atauru-sho" (A Book Bestowed on Composers of Poems) for the purpose
of reforming "tanka" and Japanese poetry, which had previously been composed
using a Chinese style and characters. He also experimented in writing novels.
He and his followers were known as "The Japan School" in terms of "haiku" and
" The Negishi School" in terms of "tanka".
Masaoka Shiki emerged in the "haiku" world as a critic of Matsuo Basho. He criticized
Basho's famous haikus in his article "Basho Zatsudan" (Talks on Basho). Although
he did not reject all of Basho's works, he criticized his "haiku" for a lack
of poetic purity and for containing too many descriptive and prosaic elements.
On the other hand, he extolled Yosa-no-Buson who hadnŐt hitherto been widely
appreciated. He urged that Buson's "haiku" was technically refined and that
it succeeded in effectively conveying clear impressions to its readers. After
discovering western philosophy, Shiki was convinced that laconic descriptions
of things were effective in literary and pictorial expression. He insisted on
the importance of "shasei" (sketching). This idea made his "haiku" more visual
and concise in style. The "haiku" innovations of Masaoka created a great sensation
across Japan and helped revive the languishing "haiku" genre. osers of Poems)
for the purpose of reforming "tanka" and Japanese poetry, which had previously
been composed using a Chinese style and characters. He also experimented in
writing novels. He and his followers were known as "The Japan School" in terms
of "haiku" and " The Negishi School" in terms of "tanka". Masaoka Shiki emerged
in the "haiku" world as a critic of Matsuo Basho. He criticized Basho's famous
haikus in his article "Basho Zatsudan" (Talks on Basho). Although he did not
reject all of Basho's works, he criticized his "haiku" for a lack of poetic
purity and for containing too many descriptive and prosaic elements. On the
other hand, he extolled Yosa-no-Buson who hadnŐt hitherto been widely appreciated.
He urged that Buson's "haiku" was technically refined and that it succeeded
in effectively conveying clear impressions to its readers.
After discovering western philosophy, Shiki was convinced that laconic descriptions
of things were effective in literary and pictorial expression. He insisted on
the importance of "shasei" (sketching). This idea made his "haiku" more visual
and concise in style. The "haiku" innovations of Masaoka created a great sensation
across Japan and helped revive the languishing "haiku" genre.
The tepid rain
caresses
the bare thorn.
In the thawed out pond
A shrimp moves
Among the old algae.The cannon rumbles
to to stair the leaf buds
of the tall trees.