CRICKET SONGS: Japanese Haiku Translations

by Harry Behn ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 26, 1964

Although the format suggests it, this is not necessarily a juvenile book. It is a short collection of poems translated from the Japanese by the author. They freeze a moment in time with the disciplined use of simple words. ""Haiku is a poem in three lines of five, then seven, then five syllables."" The subject is most often some aspect of nature. e.g. ""Turning from watching the moon, my comfortable old shadow led me home."" (Shiki) An excellent selection of Japanese prints are reproduced throughout ""selected from esshu and other Japanese masters"". The poems ""happen"" with such conversational simplicity that properly introduced youngsters may feel the happy urge to try, although unself-conscious juvenile conversation often has the same degree of simplicity that distinguishes haiku.

Pub Date: Feb. 26, 1964

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & World

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1964

Categories: NONFICTION