A red sun
falls into the sea
what summer heat
One of the most influential modern Japanese writers, Natsume Soseki’s literary career started in 1903, with a series of haiku and renga published in various literary magazines. Between 1900 and 1903 he studied at the UCL in London, but this proved to be quite a dramatic experience for the young Soseki:
“The two years I spent in London were the most unpleasant years in my life. Among English gentlemen, I lived in misery, like a poor dog that had strayed among a pack of wolves.“
Despite this, when Soseki returned to Japan he exploded into prolific writing activity.
Haiku by Natsume Sōseki
Picture by Jonathan Borba
This haiku poem is part of the Naviar haiku music challenge, where artists are invited to make music in response to a weekly assigned haiku poem. Participation is free and there are no limitations in the songs’ length or genre.
You have seven days from the posting of this haiku to submit your track. For information on how to make a submission, visit the Naviar Haiku Music Challenge page.
Submission deadline: 6th October 2021