The old pond

The poem

Following are several translations of the 'Old Pond' poem, which may be the most famous of all haiku:

Furuike ya kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto

-- Basho

Literal Translation

Fu-ru (old) i-ke (pond) ya, ka-wa-zu (frog) to-bi-ko-mu (jumping into) mi-zu (water) no o-to (sound)

The old pond-- a frog jumps in, sound of water.

Translated by Robert Hass

Old pond... a frog jumps in water's sound.

Translated by William J. Higginson

An old silent pond... A frog jumps into the pond, splash! Silence again.

Translated by Harry Behn

There is the old pond! Lo, into it jumps a frog: hark, water's music!

Translated by John Bryan

The silent old pond a mirror of ancient calm, a frog-leaps-in splash.

Translated by Dion O'Donnol

old pond frog leaping splash

Translated by Cid Corman

Antic pond-- frantic frog jumps in-- gigantic sound.

Translated by Bernard Lionel Einbond

MAFIA HIT MAN POET: NOTE FOUND PINNED TO LAPEL OF DROWNED VICTIM'S DOUBLE-BREASTED SUIT!!!

'Dere wasa dis frogg Gone jumpa offa da logg Now he inna bogg.'

-- Anonymous

Translated by George M. Young, Jr.

Old pond leap -- splash a frog.

Translated by Lucien Stryck

The old pond, A frog jumps in:. Plop!

Translated by Allan Watts

The old pond, yes, and A frog is jumping into The water, and splash.

Translated by G.S. Fraser