Connecting to nature through poetry and prose
We have entered the micro-season of “The First Camellia Blossoms”. This is the first micro-season of the mini-season of First Winter. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about the camellia flower and its symbolism. Then we will read camellia-themed haiku from Issa, Basho, Buson, and Shiki.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Maple and Ivy Turn Yellow". This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of Frost Descent. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about what causes leaves to change color and then read some seasonal haiku by Issa, Basho, and Buson.
We have entered the micro-season of “Light Rain Showers”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season of Frost Descent. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about rain, the different classifications of rainfall, and how the sound of rain can quiet a restless mind. After that, we will read seasonal haiku by Issa, Buson, and Basho.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Grasshopper Sings”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season of Cold Dew. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about grasshoppers and stridulation. Then we will read seasonal haiku by Basho, Issa, and Buson.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Chrysanthemum Flowers”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season of Cold Dew. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about the chrysanthemum flower, explore its cultural significance, and then read haiku by Basho, Issa, and Buson.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Geese Arrive”. This is the first micro-season of the mini-season of Cold Dew. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about the White-Fronted Goose and then read haiku by Issa, Basho, Takaha Shugyo, and Buson.
We have entered the micro-season of “Hibernating Creatures Close Their Doors”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season of Autumn Equinox. As a way to celebrate this season, we will look at the strategies animals use to survive the winter and then read some haiku by Shiki, Basho, and Issa.
We have entered the micro-season of “Thunder Lowers Its Voice”. This is the first micro-season of the mini-season of Autumn Equinox. As a way to celebrate this season, we will investigate the conditions needed to create thunder and lightning. Then we will read some thunder and lightning-themed haiku by Basho, Issa, and Kerouac.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Swallows Leave”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of White Dew. As a way to celebrate this season, we will investigate the swallow and its migration patterns. Then we will read haiku by Buson and Issa. This season, we also invite you to write your own migration-inspired haiku and share it with the community.
We have entered the micro-season of “White Dew on Grass”. As a way to celebrate this season, we will explore how dew is formed and look into dew harvesting. Then, we will read some seasonal haiku by Issa, Basho, Saigyo, and Buson.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Rice Ripens”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of Limit of Heat. As a way to celebrate this season, we will look at the taxonomy of the rice plant and how it is grown. Then we will read a variety of seasonal rice-themed haiku by Issa and Basho.
The micro-season of “The Cotton Lint Opens” runs from Aug 23 - Aug 27. As a way to honor this season, we will explore the taxonomy of the cotton plant and its processing process. Then we will read haiku by Basho, Gewi, Gorgone, and Wright.
Naturalist Weekly 