Kobayashi Issa: Dancing Haiku
Heartfelt thanks to Iliyana Stoyanova for the invitation, trust and freedom to create an opportunity for haiku sharing for the 2023 Winter Gathering. What emerged was the artistic joy of sharing Kobayashi Issa’s: Dancing Haiku as inspiration for participants to write their own dancing haiku. Wonderful thanks to Andrew Shimield for not only helping to resolve technical issues as they arose but also for his artistic advice and sharing the reading of Issa’s 24 haiku with spirit. Participants responded by writing deeply moving and memorable haiku; one from each attendee is included following the workshop description. A list of the books read for the presentation is also included.
The Kobayashi Issa: Dancing Haiku offering took its inspiration from Issa’s haiku of the dance of life. Amidst the life-long losses Issa experienced and the challenges of living on the edge, most of Issa’s haiku are ‘joyful celebrations of the universe and being alive in it’ (Lanoue, 2016, p. 127). Issa appreciates the dances in nature and invites us to do the same. ‘Animals also dance in Issa’s poetry. Butterflies and people share the music of the world and, consciously or not, dance to it’ (Lanoue, 2014, pgs. 145, 148).
the kitten dances
round and round…
falling leaves
butterfly dance—
someone plays samisen
in the little village
The Winter Gathering opened with two movements from Qigong, a form of Chinese energy healing as a celebration of being alive and to help us attune to the movement in Issa’s haiku. A slideshow summarizing Issa’s life and contributions to haiku was presented followed by Andrew and Maryam reading a selection of Issa’s haiku focused on the movements of the seasons. In response, participants wrote their own Issa and movement inspired haiku. These were shared in the chat feature and read aloud with the invitation to include a symbolic gesture/s as a means of extending the communication.
‘What matters, Issa implies, is to embrace the present moment… and sing’ (Lanoue, 2014, p. 145).
as long as you’re singing
go ahead, dance!
frog
The Dancing Haiku of Issa closed with a song and optional movement improvisation.
Participant Dancing Haiku from the 2023 Winter Gathering ~ Kobayashi Issa: Dancing Haiku ~
back and forth…
waves washing away
Grandad’s sandcastle
David Bingham
autumn storm the churning waves pick up stones
Karen Harvey
sunshine
sparkling the water droplets
sparrow bath
susan spooner
the squirrel chases falling autumn leaves tiny tornado
Jenny Shepherd
seaside the kids bury Dad again
Andrew Shimield
surprised the old guard dog goes into a spin
Frank Williams
A paw sweeps round
needle claws
flies flee
Chris Southam
Scottish dance
around crossed swords
dainty footwork
Sue Richards
buddleia invites butterflies to the ball
Joan Gibson
autumn rain
joining a busker
under the church eaves
Iliyana Stoyanova
the clang and clatter
of a quiet winter’s night—
the heating is on
Daniel Gustafsson
the tethered dog
wags its tail at passers-by—
local supermarket
Mary Gunn
secluded house the overture of rooks at dusk
Julie Mellor
wind over sea sand grains in my hair
Caroline Elliot
flooded fields
piebalds cautious steps
on the edges
Julie Williamson
butterflies awhirl
a pas de deux
through my window
Diana Webb
dancing
in the ballroom
at the Cinderella hour
she lifts her hand
towards the stars
A A Marcoff
birthday balloon
number nine
dancing in the telephone wire
Susan Lee Kerr
tai chi channeling my inner heron
Nick T
Write-up by Maryam Mermey