classic hunting haiku #4

Here is the fourth in our series of classic hunting haiku written by Issa, one of Japan's finest haiku poets.

1824

追鳥を烏笑ふや堂の屋根

oi-dori wo karasu warau ya dô no yane

the crow laughs
at the bird hunters...
temple roof

The translator notes: "Issa and his readers know that life is protected at the Buddhist temple. In this haiku, the crow also seems to be aware of this fact, laughing tauntingly at the hunters from the safety of its perch."

Translations are by David G. Lanoue, who includes the following note: "Translations based on Issa zenshû (Nagano: Shinano Mainichi Shimbunsha, 1976-79) 9 volumes. Some of the translations first appeared in Issa, Cup-of-Tea Poems and Pure Land Haiku: The Art of Priest Issa."