INVITATION TO THE WORKS OF KYOSHI

Seasonal word: kareno, withered field(winter).
This haiku was written in 1900, when Kyoshi was 26 years old.

This is one of Kyoshi's most famous masterpieces. It is considerd as a pivotal piece in which he established the haiku world of his own.
It is not difficult to understand this haiku. Far off mountains are seen across a withered field. The mountains are lit by the grow of the late afternoon sun whereas in the forground the winter field lies bleak and desolate.

　This haiku deeply moves all who read it. Why this heartfelt reactions? Perhaps it is becase the scene is so plainly described. We, the readers, can clealy visualize what Kyoshi saw , and superimpose this image over our own memories.

The sun-lit mountains at the end of the bleak winter field may give hope and comfort to us, who are all travelers of life.