Basho's Northern War Hymn
Basho's Northern War Hymn - Cricket Crying to Stop Winter
ink, acrylic, and tempera on paper
27" x 38"
April 2021
MATSUO BASHO
I am awe-struck
To hear a cricket singing
Underneath the dark cavity
Of an old helmet.
(trans. Nobuyuki Yuasa)
How sad
under the old war helmet
a cricket
(trans. David Young)
How piteous!
Beneath the warrior’s helmet
A cricket cries.
(trans. ?)