The strictest and purest of poetic forms, the Japanese haiku contains in its 17 sound characters a reference to a season as well as a distinct pause or interruption. Cherry blossoms and swallows might refer to spring; red maple leaves and deer usually imply autumn. These seasonal allusions emphasize the essence of haiku: nature and its ephemeral beauty. The graceful, evocative haiku featured here were composed by the renowned Japanese haiku masters of the past 400 years, including Matsuo Bashō, Taniguchi Buson, and Kobayashi Issa. The deceptively simple poems—rendered in English with Japanese calligraphies and transliterations—are paired with exquisite 18th- or 19th-century paintings and ukiyo-e prints, and 20th-century shin hanga woodcuts. With their depth and delicacy, wide range of subtle hues, and time-honored focus on landscapes, birds, and flowers, these artworks—like their haiku counterparts—quietly capture a moment in time. Haiku: Japanese Art Hardcover Smyth-sewn book, with jacket 80 pages with 35 color reproductions Written by Judith Patt, Michiko Warkentyne, and Barry Till • High-quality, premium stock matte art paper • Exceptional color reproduction • Printed with soy-based inks • Sewn binding ensures long-lasting enjoyment Published with the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Size: 8 x 8 in. ISBN 9780764956102