On the one-ton temple bell
by Taniguchi Buson
‘On the one-ton temple bell’ by Taniguchi Buson is a beautiful haiku. It describes a moonmoth sleeping on a temple bell.
Taniguchi Buson is a renowned Japanese poet, painter, and teacher who lived in the 18th century. Alongside the likes of Bashō, Issa, and Shiki, he is regarded as one of the four greatest haiku masters.
Buson’s work is highly detailed, aiming to capture the fleeting nature of moments and emotions, frequently featuring vivid descriptions of the natural environment and allusions to mythology.
In addition to writing poetry, Buson was a skilled painter who blended his love of haiku with his visual art by producing vibrant and emotive haiga, or haiku paintings. His work significantly impacted succeeding generations of haiku poets, and till today, haiku fans continue to admire his legacy.
‘On the one-ton temple bell’ by Taniguchi Buson is a beautiful haiku. It describes a moonmoth sleeping on a temple bell.