The Poetry of Chiyo-ni by Patricia Donegan

The Poetry of Chiyo-ni

The Life and Art of Japan's Most Celebrated Woman Haiku Master

Patricia Donegan, Yoshie Ishibashi

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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  7. One Hundred Poets, One Poem EachPeter Macmillan63% match
  8. Bathhouse and Other TankaIshii Tatsuhiko61% match

For younger readers: A Maze Me, Voices in the Air, Honeybee

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About this book

"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 Poetry87%
Haiku54%
Women Poets37%

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