Akita International Haiku Network
Gray clouds trail across the sky. In the pale winter sun a flock of geese (Ben Grafström–Akita, Japan)
A Rebirth Story at Kai-no- Sawa The rebirth story dates back to 1968, when Sekiya Haruo (関谷春雄、1929-2018) became the land owner of Kai-no- Sawa. He was a man of fortune and culture. He was successful in his marketing business. 1968 Sekiya Haruo became the owner of the forest and wild fields of Kai-no-Sawa … Continue reading Haiku beyond Earth「天上俳句会」Rebirth Story to Celebrate the New Year 2025
The Year of the Snake 2025 is “the Year of the Snake”, which is called Mi-Doshi（巳年）in Japan. The character for Mi（巳）is a pictograph that represents the shape of a fetus, and is said to have originated from the appearance of a uterus enveloping a fetus. When “Mi” is applied to animals, … Continue reading Haiku beyond Earth「天上俳句会」Happy New Year 2025
Nada Jačmenica is a haiku poet in Croatia, who participated in the World Haiku Series 2019. Her haiku appeared on the website of the Akita International Haiku Network with the title “World Haiku Series 2019 (129) Haiku by Nada Jačmenica.” Please check it out on the site below. https://akitahaiku.com/2020/06/04/ Here is a short bio. Nada … Continue reading Haiku Collection! “PETALS” by Nada Jačmenica in Croatia
According to『おくのほそ道』(Oku no Hosomichi), ‘The Narrow Road to Oku’ ‘ translated by Donald Keene, 松尾芭蕉( Matsuo Basho )(1644-1694) arrived at Kisakata on the evening of August 1, 1689, when a misty rain started to fall, obscuring Chokai Mountain. The next morning the weather cleared beautifully. When the morning sun rose in all its splendor, … Continue reading Basho’s stay in Kisakata, Akita (Part 3)
On September 4, we received a comment on “Basho’s stay in Kisakata, Akita ( Part 1) from Dr. Gabi Greve. She said in her comment, “lately I enjoy Basho and the Sake no Hosomichi in the following site : http://washokufood.blogspot.com/2009/08/sake-no-hosomichi.html. I wonder what Basho might have eaten at Kisakata.” Dr. Gabi Greve is German … Continue reading Basho’s stay in Kisakata, Akita (Part 2)
On August 26, I visited 象潟(Kisakata), 秋田(Akita) and took some pictures of the spots referred to in『奥の細道』(Oku no Hosomichi), ‘The Narrow Road to Oku’ . I also wrote some haiku there. I’d like to post some pictures and haiku. 松尾芭蕉( Matsuo Basho )(1644-1694) arrived at Kisakata on the evening of August 1, 1689, when a … Continue reading Basho’s stay in Kisakata, Akita (Part 1)
On August 3, we received an e-mail from Mr. Roy Lindquist in Norway, saying “ I just wonder if I could have any future in your Akita International Haiku Network.” We at once answered his e-mail, saying “ It’s our great pleasure to share haiku with each other on the website.” Since then we’ve … Continue reading Haiku by Roy Lindquist, a haiku poet in Norway
On July 31, I visited 虫甘満寺(Kanman ji), the Kanman-Temple in 象潟(Kisakata), 秋田(Akita) and I discovered many things. This temple is famous for the last spot which 松尾芭蕉( Matsuo Basho )(1644-1694) visited during his stay in Kisakata from August 1 - 3, 1689. According to 『奥の細道』(Oku no Hosomichi), ‘The Narrow Road to Oku’ translated by … Continue reading Basho’s mimosa blossoms
紫陽花 (ajisai), hydrangea, is the deciduous shrub up to five feet high with ball-shaped clusters of bluish flowers in June and July. It has become a common ornamental throughout the world. In Japan both 額紫陽花(gaku ajisai), H. macrophylla and 沢紫陽花(sawa ajisai), H. serrata in particular have been cultivated for so many centuries that they … Continue reading Basho’s hydrangea
Iris is a genus of between 200-300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. As well as being the scientific name, iris is also very widely used as a … Continue reading Basho’s Irises
Akita International Haiku Network 