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.

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a storm-wind blows—out from among the grasses

the full moon grows

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at the ancient shring

tarnished gold-foil...

and green leaves

awakening time

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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.