Large Picture(click here!)

SOUND (click here!)

SEIBI NATSUME, SUFFERED GOUT

  The Haiku poems, inspired artistic value by Basho Matsuo 
and rich poetic value by poets like Buson Yosa, were 
becoming popular as time went by.
  In modern terms, it can be described as remarkable 
increase of haiku population. Persons of excellent 
creativity of haiku with trustworthy personality were 
respected as leading figures of the field. 
  Seibi Natsume was one of those reputable authority. He 
possessed tranquil, elegant style of haiku, commented others
' poems accurately, so he was adored by people. He wrote
essays and studied senior haiku poets, too.
  It is said that he also took care of haiku poets from 
local cities or who were poor and relied upon him as ran one
of the biggest Fudasashi, which is equivalent to pawnshop
nowadays in Edo(now Tokyo).
  Issa Kobayashi, famous for the unique vulgar style of his 
works was also his guest during he was in Edo.
  He suffered severe gout throughout the life though. Not 
only unable to walk but also he was constantly agonized by 
intense pains.
  Once retierd from the business but when his younger 
brother died so early, he had to resume the responsibility 
of business again. He found relief only in composing haiku 
poems. 

Go Back to JD's Home Page [ Japanese | English ]