A Thousand Years: The Haiku and Love Letters of Chiyo-ni

Marco Fraticelli

Fraticelli’s second book of haibun unites imagined letters with actual haiku by the 18th century haiku master, Chiyo-ni. These “letters” were married with translations of her haiku – a few were selected from published books, however most translations are his own interpretations generated from books and online sources in English, French, and Japanese. This collection brings the voice of Chiyo-ni to a new audience. In an interesting cultural exchange, Fraticelli’s work was read near Chiyo-ni’s hometown – through a presentation by Emiko Miyashita in December 2018.

A 2016 performance by Terry Ann Carter and Marco Fracticelli that combines acting, poetry, and music is preserved in a film by Marten Berkman (Desire: The Lost Letters and Haiku of Chiyo-ni, 29:40 minutes), and can be viewed here.

Awards:

First Prize – in the inaugural Marianne Bluger Book Award (Haiku Canada, 2020) for A Thousand Years (catkin press, 2018). Judges’ comments may be found here.

Honorable Mention – Touchstone Distinguished Books (The Haiku Foundation, 2018) for A Thousand Years (catkin press, 2018). Commentary from the panel may be found here.

catkin press | 2018 | 5 x 7 inches | 100 pages | 978-1-928163-27-5

Copies available from the author, please contact Marco here for further information.

“Fraticelli reads and translates haiku by Chiyo-ni, one of Japan's most well-known haiku poets. He reads them and feels them, and then imagines the letters this nun might have written to her erstwhile lover. He writes them in the spare, butterfly-light style of haibun, short, lyrical texts that are combined with haiku. The reader cannot help but be transported into the far-away world of this woman somewhere in a monastery of 18th century Japan. Such a magical thing.” - Isabella Mori

“Fraticelli’s letters are beautifully crafted and delicate and respectful of Chiyo-ni’s legacy. They are also an interesting way to introduce readers to her haiku.” - Jim Kacian, publisher Red Moon Press