Recommended Books

by Jack Kerouac. A fascinating, fictionalised account of Jack Kerouac’s life as he learns the art of haiku and self-awareness.

by Janine Beichman. This acclaimed work offers a complete portrait of the life and the far-reaching influence of “the father of modern haiku”. Beichman puts Shiki’s brief, energetic life, his personality and his fertile work – including haiku, tanka and

Edited by Cor van den Heuvel. First published in 1974, the Haiku Anthology has proved a landmark work in modern haiku.

by Donald Keene. Using extensive readings of Shiki’s own writings and accounts of the poet by his contemporaries and family, Donald Keene charts Shiki’s revolutionary experiments with haiku and  tanka.

by Jane Reichhold. This books shows you how haiku can bring a centred, calming atmosphere into one’s life.

Edited by Jim Kacian, Philip Rowland and Allan Burns. Described by some Haiku lovers as a bible for Haiku. This book contains an enlightening introduction by Billy Collins, Poet Laureate of the United States between 2001 and 2003. It is

Edited by David Cobb.   This is a beautifully illustrated introduction to Japanese Haiku translated into English. Illustrations are taken from the collection of Japanese art in the British Museum.