The Life and Zen Haiku Poetry of Santoka Taneda: Japan's Most Beloved Modern Haiku Poet: Includes a Translation of Santoka's "Diary of the One-Grass Hut"

I’ve read several of William Scott Wilson’s translations, and his notable book about The Kiso Road (highly recommend). I believe that I now have a new favorite; this book is a true gem. First of all, the physical, hardcover book has everything to delight the bibliophile. The size, feel, and cover art are superb. It’s a book that I enjoyed holding, and turning its pages. And the content, the heart of the matter, delivers the goods. Wilson always seems to hold enlightening observations, which he freely releases for his reader’s considerations. He does this in his prologue, and then takes you away with his preface, into his world of discovery. I share in his excitement when he finds a copy of Sumita Oyama’s, Life of the Haiku Poet Santoka, in a Nagoya bookshop, 50 years ago. I guess that may have been the genesis of the book I now hold in my hands, about one of my favorite subjects, haiku, and the poets who created them. In the introduction, I became aware of the wonderful collaboration, with the artist Gary Miller Haskins. Haskins drawings are subtle and simply right, and their appearance in the book is in complete harmony with the text; their placement is perfect, and not at all disruptive, as can sometimes be the case. The translation, of course, is masterful, and I am pleased to see the poetry is also printed in the original Japanese, side by side. Considering the importance of calligraphy in the Far East, we can delight in seeing the visual beauty of the original Japanese characters, in print. A nice touch, even for those, like me, who do not know how to read it. Wilson tells us that for Santoka, haiku was his life. Perhaps for Mr. Wilson, enlightening his readers about diverse things Japanese, is his life. I’m grateful for his passions, and his way with words, and for coming up with this very interesting work, on a subject dear to my heart. If you love haiku, and have any interest in the masters of that art, then this is a book that you must read.