Ransetsu was a student of Basho as well as one of his closest disciples. Basho thought very highly of him and once wrote, "I cannot equal Ransetsu in poetical austerity."

Childless Woman is perhaps his most famous haiku. You can imagine in your mind the sad woman who was denied the pleasure of having her own kids, looking longingly at the dolls, gently touching them while imagining what it might have been like to have her own baby. It gives us a very poignant image.

It may not be obvious for those unfamiliar with Japanese culture, but the dolls the poem refers to would be Hina dolls for Girl's Day on March 3rd. This reference (the season word) would make this a spring haiku.

	David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku.

1. That is, me! If you like this translation, feel free to use it. Just credit me. Also link here if you can. ↩