Kobayashi Issa (1763–1828), one of the four great haiku masters of Japan, along with Matsuo Basho, Yosa Buson and Masaoka Shiki, described the last days of his father in his diary, beginning when his father suddenly developed fever and became seriously ill and continuing until a week after his demise.
Masaoka Shiki (1867–1902), pen-name of Masaoka Noboru, a Japanese author, poet, literary critic, and journalist
Masaoka Shiki | Yuria 100 Shiki | Shiki Memorial Museum | Onan Masaoka | Miya Masaoka | Kunrei-shiki romanization |
The German, English, and French text for the remainder incorporates six quotations: three haiku (by Shiki, Buson, and Issa), and one passage each from Socrates, the Gospel according to St. Thomas, and Meister Eckhart (Stockhausen 1979).
While recuperating, he became familiar with the verses of Masaoka Shiki and Itō Sachio, two poets in the Araragi tanka group, and he began to compose verses himself.
The novel is set in the Meiji period and focuses on three characters from the city of Matsuyama: Akiyama Yoshifuru, his brother Akiyama Saneyuki, and their friend, Masaoka Tsunenori, better known as Masaoka Shiki.
The Masaoka Shiki International Haiku Award is awarded to people who have made the most remarkable contribution to the development and the raising awareness of the creativity of haiku regardless of nationality or language.