This essential collection of Japanese poetry contains nearly two hundred haiku by the four most celebrated haiku masters of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, as well as a delightful seasonal interlude by several other leading haiku poets. Sometimes known as "the Great Four" of haiku poetry, Basho, Buson, Issa, and Shiki began mastering the subtle craft of the haiku as far back as 1670, capturing fleeting moments from life and nature with almost photographic clarity in just 17 Japanese syllables.

Although thoroughly steeped in Japanese culture, history and philosophical tradition, the elegant, profound and highly accessible haiku has nevertheless transcended the bounds of its cultural heritage to become one of the most celebrated and widely translated poetic forms in the world. Featuring gorgeous accompanying images by renowned photographer John Cleare and an in-depth introduction by noted anthropologist and poet Tom Lowenstein, this volume combines literal translation with literary interpretation, expert commentary and evocative images to bring these poems to life in a way that is fully accessible to the modern reader while remaining faithful to the crisp visual nature of the haiku form.