The Illustrated Book of Japanese Haiku: A Journey Through the Seasons with Japan's Best-Loved Poets (Free Online Audio)

This beautifully illustrated collection of seasonal haiku poems by Japan's best-known poets is perfect for poetry lovers or anyone who wants to learn more about Japanese haiku. Selected with commentary by William Scott Wilson, the book features over 100 poets and 340 haiku, exquisitely translated by Wilson.

It is organized around the traditional five Japanese seasons (New Year, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) with seasonal poems by the "Great Four" haiku poets (Basho, Shiki, Buson and Issa) alongside the works of other well-known poets like Ryokan, Kikaku and Santoka. Wilson provides-new translations of the classics and also shares with us the delightful work of poets who are rarely found in English translation, including the female poets Kaga no Chojo and Hisajo, as well as haiku by the famous novelist Soseki Natsume.

The book is illustrated with 30 lovely haiga-style illustrations by award-winning French artist Manda, who has received the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government for her work, the highest civilian honor given. All of the poems are presented in Japanese script with Romanized text and English translation. Audio recordings of both the Japanese and English versions of the haiku are available online.