In Japan, it is believed that the first dream of the New Year is important because it tells you what the year holds for you. What did you dream about? Here’s a haiku poem by Itō Shōu in English and Japanese below.
The year’s first dream –
a secret I spoke to no one,
smiling to myself. ― Itō Shōu (1859-1943)
初夢や
秘めて語らず
一人笑む ―伊藤松宇
The Japanese poet Itō Shōu was a poet of the Meiji era (1868-1926). He was a contemporary of another great Haiku poet Masaoka Shiki. Both wrote during a time when Japan opened its doors to the world and quickly learned about Western culture and technology.
On a journey, I’d have
as my companion on the road,
a butterfly. ―Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902)
道づれは
胡蝶をたのむ
旅路かな ―正岡子規
