Hisajo Sugita Haiku Translations Poem by Michael Burch

Hisajo Sugita was an innovative and influential female Japanese haiku poet:

I remove my beautiful kimono:
its varied braids
surround and entwine my body
―Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

This day of chrysanthemums
I shake and comb my wet hair,
as their petals shed rain
―Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

This sheer kimono―
how the moon peers through
to my naked skin!
―Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

These festive flowery robes―
though quickly undressed,
how their colored cords still continue to cling!
―Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Chrysanthemum petals
reveal their pale curves
shyly to the moon.
―Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Loneliness―
reading the Bible
as the rain deflowers cherry blossoms.
―Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

How deep this valley,
how elevated the butterfly's flight!
―Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

How lowly this valley,
how lofty the butterfly's flight!
―Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Echoes from the hills―
the mountain cuckoo sings as it will,
trill upon trill
―Hisajo Sugita, loose translation by Michael R. Burch