Quote by Kobayashi Issa: “O snail, climb Mount Fuji, but slowly, slowly.”

This quote encourages patience and persistence in the face of daunting challenges. It suggests that even the biggest goals can be achieved through small, steady efforts, reminding us that progress often requires a slow and deliberate pace. It’s about celebrating the journey.

Written during a period of personal loss and reflection, this haiku symbolizes life's struggles and the quiet determination needed to overcome them, set against the backdrop of Edo Japan's cultural and social evolution.

Late eighteenth and early nineteenth-century Japanese haiku poet known for his deeply personal, compassionate verse and his affinity for small, overlooked creatures. He suffered significant personal tragedy throughout his life, including the loss of his mother, multiple children, and his first wife. His collection Oraga Haru (The Year of My Life) is a masterpiece of haiku prose.