"Kobayashi Issa’s haiku keep reminding us that the  essence of Japan’s culture lies in its intimate tie to nature. Humans  are seen by him entirely as an element in nature, where ideally there is  no artificial hierarchy and certainly no holier-than-thou moralizing.  Despite the ever-presence of death, his faith is open to spoof and even  ridicule. This makes it very different from that of most adherents to  the three dominant Middle Eastern religions."    Roger Pulvers