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This week: Fukuda Chiyo-ni: Woman Haiku Master Edited by: eyestar~*  
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 Hail poetry lovers! I am happy to be back as your guest editor for our WDC poetry newsletter.
 I continue to study and read the Japanese style poems of HAIKU and would like to share with you another of the Haiku masters of old, a woman this time! Fukuda Chiyo-ni.
Thoughts on Haiku
"We shall never understand one another until we reduce the language to seven words."
― Kahlil Gibran
"The haiku that reveals seventy to eighty percent of its subject is good. Those that reveal fifty to sixty percent, we never tire of."
― Matsuo Basho
"When composing a verse let there not be a hair’s breath separating your mind from what you write; composition of a poem must be done in an instant, like a woodcutter felling a huge tree or a swordsman leaping at a dangerous enemy."
― Matsuo Bashō
"Haiku is not a shriek, a howl, a sigh, or a yawn; rather, it is the deep breath of life."
― Santōka Taneda, Mountain Tasting: Haiku and Journals of Santoka Taneda
"Reading haiku is as much an art as writing it. The reader needs to pause and listen to the silences, to feel the spaces between the words, and to journey into the depths of many multi-colored worlds."
― Harley King, Mother, Don’t Lock Me In That Closet!
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Fukuda Chiyo-ni, Woman Haiku Master
"morning glory!
the well bucket-entangled,
I ask for water"
trans. Donegan and ishibashi
This haiku is her most famous poem and reflects an experience she had by a well, exemplifying the simplicity of observation of her simple life. Chiyo-ni was regarded as one of the best haiku poets of the Edo period and one of the few women in pre-modern japanese literature. Before her haiku by women were ignored or dismissed.
Born is Matto, Kango Province in February 1703, Chiyo-ni was the eldest daughter of a scroll mounter and was introduced to art and literature quite young. She began writing at age 7 and at age 17 had become quite popular in Japan. At age 12 she studied with 2 haiku masters, apprenctices of Matuo Basho and was highly influenced by this Master, while remaining an independent unique voice.
She knew that she was being considered Bashō's heir and wrote on a painting of Basho:
"To listen,
fine not to listen, fine too...
nightingale"
trans. L. Mayhew
I find it interesting that the notion reflects Basho's quote on following the master but making haiku your own as well. She was very much an independent and while she listened to him, she did not copy him. Her haiku are mostly nature themed, or work for the unity of human and nature. She lived much like the haikuists of the time, a simple humble life, making connections by observing ordinary life.
In 1720, she married and had a son, who died in infancy. After her husband died two years later, she lived with her parents and remained independent throughout her life. One of her poems observed:
"parents older than I
are now my children
the same cicadas"
trans. J Reinhold
In 1754, she adopted a couple to take over the family business and became a Buddhist nun at 52, to teach her heart to become like clear water which flows night and day." She took the name Soen in 17
she was chosen to prepare a gift of art to the local daimyo of the region. She crafted 21 art works to go with 21 haiku.
At age 62 she added this poem to others from earlier stages of her life observing the change in age
where makeup was no longer important. It is a lovely example of her style and keen clear vision and connection and honouring the sacredness of everyday life.
"Rouged lips
forgotton --
clear spring water"
trans. Donegan and Isibashi
The beloved and famous Chiyo-ni, this artistic haijin, and door opener for feminine haikuists, influenced the art and passed from here in 1775 at age 72.
I was so thrilled to find her work, having mostly read the four male greats in Haiku and the modern works of both men and women now. It makes me think of the struggle for feminine expression to be recognized and valued that has been in every culture. Here is another woman of influence to honour with gratitude. 
Thanks for reading what I am learning. I love haiku! 
Sources and quotes can be found here:
http://webpages.charter.net/sn9/literature/poetry/chiyo.html
https://simplyhaiku.com/SHv2n3/reprints/Patricia_Donegan.html
Poems here:
http://www.poemofquotes.com/famoushaiku/chiyo-ni.php |
Let's enjoy Haiku!
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Hail Haiku lovers!
How about a challenge? Take an ordinary daily matter, tie into nature and compose a haiku.
Remember: haiku observes as is, contrasts/compares 2 images , and makes a connection or turning point.
"Poetry Newsletter (January 11, 2017)"
My favourite will recieve an MB and will be posted in next newsletter!
You can post here or shoot me an email. I look forward to your brilliance.
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Poetry: June 27, 2018 Issue [#8969]
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