Haiku. Collected Works

Japanese lyrical poems known as haiku (hokku) are characterized by extreme conciseness and a unique poetic style. In just a few syllables, they reflect the life of nature and humanity in their inseparable unity against the backdrop of the eternal cycle of seasons. This poetry cannot be grasped immediately: the Japanese concept of "afterfeeling" conveys its essence—a quiet echo that lives in the heart for a long time, born of words. One of the main properties of haiku is its ability to awaken the imagination, and masters like Basho, Buson, and Issa still evoke in us quiet admiration and a lively response.
In the translation by the poet, philologist, and literary scholar Vera Markova, these unique miniatures gain new life. Her work turns concise haiku into aphoristic free verse, smoothly transitioning into blank verse while preserving the subtlety of images and the philosophical depth of the originals.
The illustrations by Igor Sakurov add a special charm to the collection: the graphic and colored works of the artist immerse the reader in the atmosphere of Japanese aesthetics, where each image is an extension of the poetic line.
This book is an invitation to contemplation and reflection, to the discovery of a world where word, line, and silence sound in perfect harmony.