The Spring of My Life

KobayashiIssa (1763-1827), along with Basho and Buson, is considered one of the threegreatest haiku poets of Japan, known for his attention to poignant detail andhis playful sense of humor. Issa's most-loved work, TheSpring of My Life,is an autobiographical sketch of linked prose and haiku in the tradition ofBasho's famous NarrowRoad to the Interior.Inaddition to TheSpring of My Life,the translator has included more than 160 of Issa's best haiku and anintroduction providing essential information on Issa's life and valuablecomments on translating (and reading) haiku.