Connecting to nature through poetry and prose
We have entered the micro-season of “The Elk Sheds its Antlers”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season Winter Solstice. To celebrate this season, we will learn about the deer and elk in Japan, explore the difference between horns and antlers, and read some deer-inspired haiku by Basho, Buson, and Issa.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Common Self-Heal Sprouts”. This is the first micro-season of the mini-season Winter Solstice. To celebrate this season, we will learn about the common self-heal, research Japan’s winter weather, and read some seasonal haiku by Reichhold, Basho, Buson, Issa, and Greves.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Bear Retreats To Its Den”. This is the first micro-season of the mini-season Major Snow. To celebrate this season, we will learn about a bear’s winter survival strategies and then read some seasonal haiku from Basho, Shiki, and Issa.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Tachibana First Turns Yellow”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season Minor Snow. To celebrate this season, we will learn about Citrus tachibana and then read citrus-themed poems by Basho, Issa, Fay Aoyagi, and Emperor Genshō.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Rainbow Hides Unseen”. This is the first micro-season of the mini-season Minor Snow. To celebrate this season, we will learn about rainbows and what “rainbow hides” might mean. Then we will read rainbow-themed haiku by both modern and classical Japanese poets.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Daffodil Flowers”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of First Winter. To celebrate this season, we will learn about the daffodil, its mythology, and its symbolism. We will then read daffodil-themed haiku from Basho, Issa, and Buson.
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.
Naturalist Weekly 