NEW HOPE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW

An independent small press poetry review

NHI independent review
CASIMIRO DE BRITO & BAN'YA NATSUISHI: THROUGH THE AIR
Japanese, English, French and Portuguese translations by Ban'ya Natsuishi, Ana Hatherly, Catherine Dumas, Casimiro de Brito, James Shea & Van Moor
Shichigatsudo
2-26-6-103 Matsubara
Setagaya
Tokyo 156-0043
Japan
ISBN 978 4 87944 103 4
¥1600
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This page last updated: 14th December 2007. 		CASIMIRO DE BRITO & BAN'YA NATSUISHI: THROUGH THE AIR

This collection of linked haiku/senryu (described more accurately as renga or renku), begins thus:

		Through the air
	music visits the ground -
		two poets, one heart
and ends on page 107 with:
		The fog
	is a sigh of the sun —
	the broken magic flute
Between these first and final works each poet reacts imaginatively and sometimes inspirationally to that which has gone before — although both are deeply conscious of the fine thread they spin, and never break it. This from page 58/59:
	Nothing made by man
	surprises me  —  an ant,
		yes; or a camellia     

		People vanish
		leaving behind
	a great limestone hall
These two poems equal Shelley's OZYMANDIAS in their capacity to put into perspective man's achievements - and all in six short lines.

Taken out of context each piece is able to evoke and charm by itself — page 48:

	The little I know: not even
		if cicadas sing
		after dying
Throughout the book is an unforced juxtaposition of images that has a lasting emotional impact. Both poets are masters of the genre; the balance and integrity of their work is deeply satisfying.

The renga/renku is in four languages: Portuguese, Japanese, English and French, creating an opportunity for some readers to compare each translation. There are also several amusing primitive ink drawings.

Highly recommended.

reviewer: Michael Bangerter.