some translations from the Japanese
 
 
why
I wonder is this crow
flying
to the year-end market
Basho
 
right then kids
lets run around
quick now
in and out the hailstones
Basho
 
the little grebe
disappears
gone
into the year-end sea
Basho
 
the monkey too
could use a straw coat
the winter rains
begin
Basho
 
setting things straight
for new year
the carpenter
fixes his shelf
Basho
 
I have asked and asked
repeatedly
how deep
this fall of snow
Shiki
 
a taste of persimmon
at Horiujii
a temple bell
rings out
Shiki
 
the straw strap
of this sedge hat cuts
my flesh
this withering wind
Shiki
 
the snake-gourd sap
from two days back
is also left
ungathered
Shiki
 
the crowds
return home
at the end of the display
such darkness
Shiki
 
translations from Basho with Eiko Yachimoto
translations from Shiki with Susumu Takiguchi