Letter by Kagami Shiko 各務支考筆書状カガミシコウヒツショジョウ

Description

Mid-Edo Period haiku poet Kagami Shiko (1665-1731) was born in Mino Province (today’s Gifu Prefecture). There, he became a monk, serving at Daichiji Temple, but after about ten years of training, he left the temple and returned to the lay world, thereby adopting the name “Shiko.” His literary talent was first recognized by noted haiku poet Iwata Ryoto (1661-1717), and in 1690, he became one of the disciples of Matsuo Basho (1644-94) and learned his style well. Toward the end of Basho’s life, Shiko accompanied his master from Iga Province (today’s Mie Prefecture) to Osaka and closely served him even to the point of writing the dying poet’s last will. After Basho’s death, Shiko combined his master’s haiku style with his own, named it the Mino Style, and endeavored to disseminate it. He authored many books, including Kuzu-no-Matsubara (Kuzu Pine Fields) and Oinikki (The Diary of worn Satchel).With three haiku poems written in this letter, Shiko asks the addressee, a Hakufu (perhaps a poetry friend), to ask around among other friends to come up with a fourth haiku. This letter sheds light on Shiko’s interesting friendships.