Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) is considered one of the greatest haiku poets, along with Matsu Basho, Yosa Buson, and Kobayashi Issa. He revitalized haiku and laid the ground for its popularity from his day to ours. He died at the young age of thirty-four after being bedridden for years. Over 1200 haiku are translated and include the season word and category. They are arranged by year and season then broken down by the season category and word. They are not chronological within season. The original Japanese and romaji are included. The time span extends from 1885 to his deathbed haiku.

Earl Trotter is the translator of Haiku Master Onitsura, Haiku Master Taigi and Tao Yuanming: The Complete Works, as well as editor of reissues of various works of Japanese literature.