Best Haiku & Japanese Poetry Books of 2025

I Hope This Finds You is a poetry book that delves into the themes of heartbreak, love, healing, and self-love. Written by notable bestseller and Tik Tok creator Brandon Deem, the book serves as an empowering reminder that no matter how lost you may feel, you can always find your way back to yourself. The book is a beautiful journey that will help you find the strength to rise again from the pain of your past. Overall, this Canadian Poetry Book is a unique and powerful read that will leave you feeling inspired and hopeful.

"Her II" is a continuation of the best-selling book "Her" by Pierre Alex Jeanty. It celebrates femininity and self-love while exploring the ups and downs of relationships. The author uses short and poignant sentences along with vivid poetic imagery to tug at the heartstrings of the readers. "Her II" is not just a book of poetry, it is a masterpiece that will be cherished for years to come. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the beauty of love and self-discovery in a unique and powerful way.

This book, "Sacredness Surrounds Us in Every Season: Contemplative Reflections in Haiku Prayers, Photos and Long Poems" by Patricia Connelly, is a beautiful collection of poems and prayers accompanied by stunning photos. The author takes the reader on a journey through different emotions experienced during various seasons of life, expressing gratitude to God for each one. The inclusion of Haiku prayers, written in the traditional 5/7/5 syllable style, adds a unique and contemplative touch to the book. This is a perfect book for personal daily reflection, prayer, and Lectio. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to find hope and inspiration in their daily life.

The Poems of Nakahara Chuya is a collection of works by one of Japan's most gifted and colorful modern poets. With influences from Symbolism and Dada, Nakahara's poetry is renowned for its songlike eloquence, personal imagery, and poignant charm. This selection of poems draws on recent scholarship to provide a full account of Nakahara's extraordinary life and works. The book has been praised for its excellent translation and preface, which introduce readers to the fascinating story of modern Japanese poets. Overall, this literary criticism and theory book is a must-read for those interested in Japanese poetry and modernist literature.

Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death is a fascinating collection of jisei, the "death poem," which is often written in the last moments of a poet's life. The book includes hundreds of translated Japanese death poems, along with commentary on the circumstances of the poet's death. Yoel Hoffmann explores the traditions and attitudes surrounding death in Japan, as well as the development of writing jisei over time. The book also includes Chinese death poems by Zen monks and a section of haiku. This unique and poignant collection offers insight into a centuries-old tradition that is still relevant today.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches is a collection of seventeenth-century travel writing by Matsuo Basho, the greatest of the Japanese haiku poets. In this book, Basho captures his vision of eternity in the transient world around him, describing the natural world with great simplicity and delicacy of feeling. The book includes maps and notes on the texts, and Nobuyuki Yuasa's lucid translation captures the lyrical qualities of Basho's poetry and prose. This Penguin Classics edition provides readers with an authoritative text enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in haiku poetry and Japanese literature.

Ledger: Poems by Jane Hirshfield is a collection of poetry that captures the essence of personal, ecological, and political issues that affect us all. Hirshfield's words are a call to action, urging readers to take responsibility for the world we share. Her poems are both personal and communal, exploring the crises of refugees, justice, and climate change. With her signature blend of fact and imagination, clarity and mystery, these poems are essential reading for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the world around them.

The Seasons of the Soul is a never-before-seen collection of poems by Hermann Hesse, the Nobel Prize-winning author of Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, and The Glass Bead Game. The book offers spiritual wisdom and lyrical insights that transcend specific denominational hymns, prayers, and rituals, providing valuable guidance in poetic form for those seeking a more meaningful life. The poems reflect deeply on the challenges of life and offer a spiritual solace for readers. The book also includes extensive quotations from Hesse's prose and thoughtful commentary from translator Ludwig Max Fischer. Overall, this book is a vital and essential read, offering eye-opening and life-giving guidance to readers.

The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy is a collection of 129 ancient and modern poems that offer companionship, wisdom, compassion, and peacefulness to readers. The book provides a unique blend of Buddhist and non-Buddhist poets, such as Basho, Saigyo, Shakespeare, Billy Collins, Wallace Stevens, and Robert Frost, reflecting the essential truths articulated by the Buddha 2,500 years ago. The book includes a short essay on "Mindful Reading" and a meditation on sound from editor John Brehm, helping readers approach the poems from an experiential, non-analytical perspective and enter into the mindful reading of poetry as a kind of meditation. Overall, The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy is a superb collection of poems that embodies the dharma in ways that can't be matched by other modes of writing.

Basho: The Complete Haiku is a remarkable collection of haiku poems by Japan's most renowned writer, Basho. The book is a result of over ten years of work by American haiku poet and translator Jane Reichhold, who has divided Basho's creative output into seven periods of development, each with a decisive biographical sketch of the poet's travels, creative influences, and personal triumphs and defeats. The book is likely to become the essential work on this brilliant poet and will stand as the most authoritative book on the subject for many years to come. The original sumi-e ink drawings by artist Shiro Tsujimura complement the haiku throughout the book, making it a must-read for anyone interested in haiku and Japanese poetry.