Ikkyu's poetry is characterized by its simplicity, directness, and often, its humor. His poems are not merely literary expressions but are meant to convey the essence of his spiritual insights. They frequently employ imagery from nature, drawing on the beauty and impermanence of the natural world to illustrate the human condition. Ikkyu's poetry also reflects his rejection of traditional Buddhist practices and his emphasis on living in the present moment.
If you find a PDF that includes the original Japanese or Classical Chinese (as in Sanford’s edition), try copying the characters. Ikkyu uses double-entendres and puns that vanish in English. ikkyu poems pdf