Haiku by Shiki

Three thousand,
Haiku to examine,
Two persimmons
[1]

三千の俳句を閲し柿二つ
sanzen no haiku wo kemishi kaki futatsu

12 1/4″ W x 43″ H Japanese Scroll
by Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase

$180.00

SKU: H3014SS Category: Tags: , , ,

H3014 Haiku by Shiki – Three thousand …
by Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase

Three thousand,
Haiku to examine,
Two persimmons
[1]

sanzen no
haiku wo kemishi
kaki futatsu
三千の
俳句を閲し
柿二つ
shiki 子規

R. H. Blyth suggests the translation:

Examining
Three thousand haiku:
Two persimmons.
[2]

R. H. Blyth writes:

In this verse then, Shiki has promised himself two persimmons when he has finished perusing what looks like about three thousand haiku. They are a kind of reward, which spurs him on to finish his labour. The feverish poet lies in bed poring over the verses of nincompoops and poetasters, and ever and anon glances at the two persimmons which wait there to be eaten or not. [2]

Writes Timothy L. Jackowski, Takase Studio translator, “This is the only art that I have in my office. Eri created this for me as a gift – which makes it even more special. While I do love persimmons, in my case, my persimmon is a five-mile run … or ten. Each person is motivated differently – what gets you through the day? What is your persimmon?”

References:

[1] Translation by Timothy L. Jackowski, Takase Studios, LLC.

[2] 1110.