Yosa Buson | Letter

Letter with poem written by Yosa Buson to his artist friend Kurokawa Kigyoku (1732-1756). 
 
I am writing to apologize for not being able to come to your place as I caught a cold. I know I wrote to come over last night. Rest assured, I will come to visit you as soon as I feel better. 
And I received some sardines from my home province, which I haven't been to in such a long time. Although it's only half of it, I hope you enjoy the savoury fish. I wish I could have shared it with you in person.
When I was writing this letter it suddenly hailed. 
December 10th, Yahan-o.
 
Night.
Biting the frozen brush
With a remaining tooth.
 
(The translation of the poem is by Reginald Horace Blyth, in: Haiku: Autumn-winter (1952), p. 178.)
 
Yosa Buson (1716-1783) 
Letter with poem
Ink on paper, 17.5 x 48.5 cm (6¾ x 19 in.)
Mounting 103 x 51 cm (40½ x 20 in.)
Old wooden box with inscription