Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Buddhist : Zen / Chan 18th Century	About Kobayashi Issa Timeline (1763 - 1828)
<<Previous Poem | View All Poems by Kobayashi Issa | Next Poem >>
English version by Lucien Stryk and Takashi Ikemoto Original Language Japanese	In my house
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger   Recommended Books A Box of Zen: Haiku the Poetry of Zen, Koans the Lessons of Zen, Sayings the Wisdom of Zen, Edited by Manuela Dunn Mascetti / Edited by Timothy Hugh Barrett The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell The Poetry of Zen: (Shambhalla Library), Edited by Sam Hamill / Edited by J. P. Seaton Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto	In my house mice and fireflies get along.     -- from Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto Amazon.com
<<Previous Poem | View More Poems by Kobayashi Issa | Next Poem >>

Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Several of Issa's poems refer to fireflies. They seem to represent a luminous aspect of the awareness, that which hovers in quiet delight in the summer night.

Mice might suggest to us that part of the mind that scurries and scratches and gets into everything -- the busy mind that loves to hear itself squeak from every corner.

What does it mean, then, for mice and fireflies to get along in Issa's house?

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.