I have read so much haiku over the years that I was surprised to find a Japanese poet like this. It was quite refreshing. In some ways, it is like reading the European poets of the late 19th and early 20th century, since he uses some of the same techniques, but the Japanese tradition comes through as well, from the images to some of the subject matter-- there is that gasp of recognition and pleasure when you see stock themes and imagery from ancient haiku recast in more modern settings and poetic techniques. Chuya truly is a world poet.