
The Poetry of Chiyo-ni
The Life and Art of Japan's Most Celebrated Woman Haiku Master
Tuttle Publishing · Print & ebook · September 9, 2025
"Patricia Donegan and Yoshie Ishibashi are to be deeply thanked for having given us with such articulate care a poetry major in any language and in any place or time." —Robert Creeley, poet The Poetry of Chiyo-ni introduces English-language readers to one of Japan's most luminous literary voices: Chiyo-ni (1703—1775), a poet, painter, and Buddhist nun who broke barriers to become Japan's most celebrated female haiku master.
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- Who it’s for
- Chiyo-ni’s poems appear alongside artwork, biographical essays, historical context, and a glossary of haiku terms.
- Themes
- Impermanence, Women breaking barriers in poetry, Spiritual and artistic insight
- Pacing
- Reflective
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Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved. Most of these share its genres: Haiku and Japanese Poetry.
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For younger readers: A Maze Me, Voices in the Air, Honeybee
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"Patricia Donegan and Yoshie Ishibashi are to be deeply thanked for having given us with such articulate care a poetry major in any language and in any place or time." —Robert Creeley, poet The Poetry of Chiyo-ni introduces English-language readers to one of Japan's most luminous literary voices: Chiyo-ni (1703—1775), a poet, painter, and Buddhist nun who broke barriers to become Japan's most celebrated female haiku master.
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Living in an era when haiku was almost exclusively a male art form, Chiyo-ni followed in the footsteps of Basho's disciples, creating verse of crystalline clarity and subtle sensuality. This elegant new edition, enriched with a new foreword by bestselling author and Zen practitioner Natalie Goldberg, brings this eagerly awaited essential volume back into print. This richly illustrated collection features: - Over 100 of Chiyo-ni's poems, presented in Japanese script, romaji, and lucid English translations - Seasonal haiku, renku (linked verse), and haibun (travel journals) showcasing her spiritual and artistic insight - Biographical essays and historical context exploring her extraordinary life and times - 30 pieces of artwork by Chiyo-ni and other artists - A glossary of haiku terms for both students and poetry lovers From the simple beauty of morning glories to profound reflections on impermanence, Chiyo-ni's poetry invites quiet contemplation and timeless connection: a hundred gourds from the heart of one vine A finalist for the Haiku Society of America's Award for Translation, this long-awaited edition is a must-have for lovers of haiku, Japanese literature, and contemplative writing.
Chiyo-ni’s Poetry
Chiyo-ni’s poems appear alongside artwork, biographical essays, historical context, and a glossary of haiku terms.
Come here for
- Chiyo-ni’s poems in Japanese script, romaji, and English translation
- Seasonal haiku, renku, and haibun
Expect
- Over 100 poems, including linked verse and travel journals
- Artwork by Chiyo-ni and other artists
Where it sits
| Japanese Poetry | 87% |
|---|---|
| Haiku | 54% |
| Women Poets | 37% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Writers' Lives
- Women's Lives
- Japanese Poetry
- Authors
- Patricia Donegan, Yoshie Ishibashi
- Publisher
- Tuttle Publishing
- Published
- September 9, 2025
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Impermanence · Women breaking barriers in poetry · Spiritual and artistic insight
- Reading lane
- Writers' Lives