“This dewdrop world Is but a dewdrop worldAnd yet —”
Kobayashi Issa“Don't kill!...The fly is asking youTo save his lifeBy rubbing his hands together”
Kobayashi Issa“Where there are humans, You'll find flies,And Buddhas.”
Kobayashi Issa“O snailClimb Mount FujiBut slowly, slowly!”
Kobayashi Issa“before the gate --my walking stick's made a riverof melting snow”
Kobayashi Issa“This dewdrop world Is but a dewdrop worldAnd yet —”
Kobayashi Issa“HereI'm here-the snow falling.”
Kobayashi Issa“Summer night--even the starsare whispering to each other.”
Kobayashi Issa“In the cherry blossom's shadethere's no such thingas a stranger.”
Kobayashi Issa“Never forget:we walk on hell,gazing at flowers.”
Kobayashi Issa“What a strange thing!to be alivebeneath cherry blossoms.”
Kobayashi Issa, Poems