- Miura Chora
-
Miura Chora (1729–1780) was a Japanese poet born on May 23, 1729 in Mie Prefecture of Shima Province on the island of Honshu, Japan. He traveled throughout the country composing poems. He helped lead the haiku revival movement of the eighteenth century [From Classic Haiku: A Master’s Selection edited and translated by Yuzuru Miura.]
R. H. Blyth notes, “Ryoto had set up the Ise School, followed by Otsuya and others, but gradually it became worldly. He worked together with poets such as Yosa Buson (1716-1783), Takai Kitô (1741-1789), and Wada Ranzan (d.1773)). Chora brought it back to the poetry and simplicity of Basho.” The History of Haiku, Volume 1, Tokyo: Hokuseido Press, 1963, page 319.
Ronald Caltabiano (1959-) composed a song called "Winter (Alone)", 1978 [mezzo-soprano and piano], from one of Miura Chora's works called the First Dream of Honeysuckle Petals Falling Alone, no. 4.
Childhood
Miura grew up in the Shima province. He had an older sister and a younger brother. His father left his family as a child so his mother took over control of the family. She never remarried and raised her children by herself. Chora was home-schooled as a child. Being neighbors with the Taniguchi family, Chora was really close friends with Yosa no Buson. They met when Buson was 20 years old and both admired Matsuo Bashō and Kobayashi Issa.
Miura Chora was struck with serious leukemia and died on September 4, 1780.
Poems written by Chora
Watch The Stars - Miura Chora
Watching the stars
through willow branches
makes me feel lonely.
Untitled
a storm-wind blows—out from among the grasses
the full moon grows
Untitledat the ancient shring
tarnished gold-foil...
and green leaves
awakening time
Untitled
insects
scattering in the grasses—
sound-colours
One of the works of Buson, Kitô, Chora, and Ranzan
(The translation of the Susuki mitsu sequence of Kono hotori ichi-ya shi-kasen)
1. susuki mitsu hagi ya nakaran kono hotoriBuson
I saw pampas grass. Isn't there a bush clover around here?
2. kaze yori okoru aki no yu niChora
Wind rises in the autumn evening.
3. Fune taete yado toru nomi no futsuka zukiKitô
The ferry halts, I must see an inn, the second-day moon.
4. kikô no moyô ippo ippen Ranzan
While traveling, landscape changes with each step.
5. Tsurayuki ga musume osanaki koro nare ya Chora
Isn't that the time when the daughter of Tsurayuki was little?
6. hajitomi omoku ame no furereba Buson
The half-panel shutters feel heavy as rain is falling.
7. sayo fukete yûzuru naraseru on'nayami Ranzan
Deep in the night, the sound of bow strings for an ailing noble.
8. ware mo isoji no shunju o shiru Kitô
I also came to realize that I have reached fifty years old.
9. nan'ji ni mo zukin kishô zo furubioke Buson
Old brazier, shall I put a hood on you, too?
10. aiseshi hachisu wa karete ato naki Chora
The lotus flower I loved has withered away.
11. kotori kite yayo uguisu no natsukashiki Kitô
Little bird, I tell you that I miss a nightingale.
12. sakazuki saseba nigeru agatame Ranzan
When I offer a cup of wine, the country woman shyly turns away.
13. wakaki mi no Hitachi no suke ni hoserarete Buson
A young man is appointed to an office in the province of Hitachi.
14. yae no sakura no rakka ippen Kitô
A fallen petal of multi-layered cherry blossoms.
15. ya o oishi ojika kete fusu kasumu yo ni Chora
Shot by an arrow, a stag lies down on a hazy evening.
16. haru mo oku aru tsuki no yama dera Buson
Spring comes late at a mountain temple under the moon.
17. ôgame no sake wa itsushika su ni narinu Kitô
The sake wine has turned to vinegar without being noticed.
18. goshaku no tsurugi uchi osetari Chora
I have finished forging a five-foot sword.
19. manjû no Tada no watamashi hiyori yoki Buson
The moving of Mitsunaka to the Tada castle on a fine day.
20. wakaba ga sue ni oki no shirakumo Kitô
Beyond the young leaves, I see white clouds offshore.
21. matsuga e wa fuji no murasaki saki nokori Chora
On a branch of a pine tree, the purple of wisteria remains.
22. nen'butsu môshite shinu bakari nari Buson
I have nothing else but to chant the holy name and die.
23. waga yama ni gokô no mukashi shinobarete Kitô
In the mountain I reside, I reminiscence of the Emperor's visit in the past.
24. nigetaru tsuru no matedo kaerazu Chora
The escaped crane never returns even if I wait.
25. zeni nakute hekijô ni shi o daishikeri Buson
Penniless, I wrote a poem on the wall.
26. hi o mochi izuru on'na uruwashi Kitô
The woman bringing out a light is beautiful.
27. kurokami ni chirachira kakaru yoru no yuki Chora
On black hair falls night snow.
28. utae ni makete shoryô owaruru Buson
Having lost a lawsuit, a man is expelled from his land.
29. hiyae da mo kotoshi wa ine no tachi nobishi Kitô
Even in the dry rice field, this year the rice grows steadily.
30. matsuri no zen o narabetaru tsuki Chora
Festival dishes are arranged under the moon.
31. koakindo aki ureshisa ni tobi aruki Buson
A humble merchant joyfully runs around on an autumn day.
32. aigasa shô to uba ni tawarete Kitô
Jokingly I invite an old woman to share my umbrella.
33. inishie mo ima mo kawaranu koigusa ya Chora
Feelings of love never change in ancient times and now.
34. nani monogatari zo himete misezaru Buson
Whatever the story, she hides and does not show.
35. Kisagata no hana omoiyaru yûmagure Ranzan
I contemplate upon the cherry blossoms of Kisagata at dusk.
36. oboro ni Shiga no yama hototogisu Kitô
A mountain cuckoo cries in the haze of dawn in Shiga.
Categories:- 1729 births
- 1780 deaths
- Japanese poets
- Japanese writers of the Edo period
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