The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson, & Issa (Essential Poets)
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Book Summary Information
Editor: Robert HassTranslator: Robert Hass
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1995-08-01
ISBN: 0880013516
Number of pages: 329
Publisher: The Ecco Press
Book Reviews of The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson, & Issa (Essential Poets)
Book Review: American haiku
Summary: 5 Stars
I fully believe in the translating philosophy that poems should be rendered in the most contemporary language possible. Translating archaic language with archaic equivalents doesn't necessarily convey what it was like for contemporary audiences of the originals to read and experience them.
And that is what I like most about this collection. Robert Hass decided to use contemporary language for these haiku, and in this case, his contemporary language: American English. The haiku are highly readable and accessible. I've read criticisms to the contrary, namely that he loses the tone of the originals and takes some liberties with meaning. While I think it may be helpful to point this out, I don't think it is fair criticism, per se. There had to be a compromise, and Robert Hass consciously made a decision and consistently stuck to his preferred style. These aren't academic translations, and thank goodness. As a result, we have fresh translations of wonderful classics.
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