The traditional Japanese haiku contains seventeen sound characters, a seasonal reference, and a distinct pause or interruption. The seasonal allusion emphasizes the essence of haiku: nature and its ephemeral beauty. The twelve deceptively simple haiku featured in this calendar rendered in English with Japanese calligraphies and transliterations are from Pomegranate's book
Haiku: Japanese Art and Poetry, by Judith Patt, Michiko Warkentyne, and Barry Till. The poems are paired with
ukiyo-e prints and
shin hanga woodcuts. With their depth and delicacy, these artworks—like their haiku counterparts—quietly capture a moment in time.
Size: 12 x 13 in.; opens to 12 x 26 in. Printed on FSC certified paper with soy-based inks.