Kobayashi Issa (June 15, 1763 – January 5, 1828), was a Japanese poet and lay Buddhist priest of the Jodo Shinshu sect known for his haiku poems and journals.  He is better known as simply Issa, a pen name meaning Cup-of-tea.  He is regarded as one of the four haiku masters in Japan, along with Basho, Buson and Shiki.

One of Issa’s haiku, translated by D.T. Suzuki, was written during a period of Issa’s life when he was penniless and deep in debt. It reads:

Trusting the Buddha (Amida), good and bad,

I bid farewell

To the departing year.

Zen Timepiece in Cherry Finish

adapted from wikipedia.org

 

 

 

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Posted in Japanese Inspired Zen Clocks