痩蛙まけるな一茶是に有り
yasegaeru makeru na issa kore ni ari


puny frog
don't give up!
Issa is rooting for you
—Issa


(Tr. David LaSpina)

("Frog Sumo" by Shoson Ohara)

Issa composed this hokku after stumbling across a pair of frogs fighting for a mate. Everyone likes an underdog and Issa was no different, cheering on the weaker looking frog. Frogs are a common subject in Issa's verses, appearing in over 200 of them. This one has since become one of Issa's most well-known.

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Don't miss other great haiku in the Haiku of Japan series!

#1–10 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #1
#11–20 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #2
#21–30 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #3
#31—40 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #4
#41–50 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #5
#51—60 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #6
#61 — Turncoat Umbrella
#62 — Ten Autumns
#63 — Scattering Leaves
#64 — Gravekeeper
#65 — To Kill an Ant
#66 — Frosty Rose

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I post one photo everyday, as well as a haiku and as time allows, videos, more Japanese history, and so on. Let me know if there is anything about Japan you would like to know more about or would like to see.

Who is David?
	David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time.