The Unseen Skylark

This is Yukiko Tokutomi Northon, the only child of the founders of the Yuki Teikei Haiku Society,

at our annual Holiday Party last night. Mostly she hid from my camera, but I like this one--

which also shows Judith Schallberger's splendid wall of art pottery--

as well as some of the extra chairs needed for such a well-attended gathering.

Here is one of her father's haiku

taken from our Poet's Pages at the Yuki Teikei Website.

Up, up heavenward

riding its own melody

the unseen skylark

Kiyoshi Tokutomi

The Edge of a Village

Tonight the California Group of YTHS held our annual holiday party, at the lovely and creatively-rich home of the Schallbergers in San Jose.. At this time of year we get together to eat, to enjoy being together, and to share personally created haiku gifts. The party was breaking up, when someone suggested the dread group photo. This is one group photo of less than half the people in attendance,
but pushing the envelope of the camera, space, skill and group patience needed.  

(iPhone photo by June Hymas)

At left and in front, looking out of the frame is Katsuhiko Momoi

(he might suggest you call him "Kat")

next to his wife, Beverly Momoi in the striking patterned coat.

Kat and Bev brought to us a beautifully designed blue-and-gold bookmark

with his translation of a haiku by Buson.

Buson's haiku made news worldwide when
more than two hundred previously lost haiku

were discovered in an archive in Japan

and authenticated as being the work of
the great artist and haiku master Buson.
Kat also treated us to a short informational talk
about that discovery.

kangikuya hino teru murano katahotori

The sun shines bright

At the edge of a village
Winter chrysanthemum

Buson
translated by Katsuhiko Momoi

Yosa Buson 1716-1784

White camellia

The recent rains in San Jose have encouraged 

my drought-discouraged sasanqua camellia to bloom. 

I took this ant-enhanced photo yesterday.   jhhymas

White camellia---

my father loved this garden

now so forlorn

Kiyoko Tokutomi

Floating Dreams, edited by Garry Gay

Two Autumns Press, 2001, n.p.

A long time ago, Kiyoko told me about her father's garden. One thing I remember is that he had built it so that a stream could refresh the pond for the koi, yet not carry the fish away. He was quite proud of the way he had figured this out.  jhhymas

The Great Waves

November sea at Asilomar after night rains. . . .

you're an odd thing on this winter beach

John Martone

the great waves

withdraw before

sanderling legs

John Martone

Someone recommended this small book 

and I sent for it; it came today. 

It is adorable and very interesting,

with very varied, very small poems. jhh

coquina

sammudo.ocean, 

copyright, John Martone, 2015

The Lengthening Year

The sweet spirit that Michael Sheffield brings

to any haiku gathering was manifest

at this year's Retreat at Asilomar.

waiting for the sun

to find my window…

the lengthening year

Michael Sheffield

(poem from Sheffield's recent Solstice Greeting)

Tutelary Spirits

At the 40th Anniversary Retreat of the Founding of Yuki Teikei Haiku Society, 

our founders: Kiyoshi and Kiyoko Tokutomi were ever-present in memory.

Carol Steele created the splendid ikebana for this special event.

A bit of sourness

reminds me of my first love,

strawberry milkshake

 

Kiyoshi Tokutomi

A child’s New year’s gift

the days when I last received one

now far away

Kiyoko Tokutomi

From Mr. Tokutomi's generous thought about haiku-writing 

--I think English-speaking people 

would like this, too--

came our group and all of the wonderful outings, 

rich fellowship and friendships; the publications

and travel and new knowledge

and haiku experiences galore!

We are very grateful!

A Relationship

"Look up, look down, look all around," 
begins an old Nursery School rhyme. 

It would be difficult to overestimate 
the place of the natural world

in the development of haiku. 

I met this strutting fellow on the beach at Asilomar

during our recent Haiku Retreat.

The advice above is found on the back cover of the 25th anniversary
YT Haiku Journal; I think it still applies. . .

Please excuse the recent pause;

I was traveling for Thanksgiving

and once I got back 

found it hard to re-commit. jhh