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Although the consciousness of death is in most cultures very much a part of life, this is perhaps nowhere more true than in Japan, where the approach of death has given rise to a centuries-old tradition of writing jisei, or the "death poem" written in the very last moments of the poet's life. From passionate samurai writins and meditative Zen haiku to the satirical poems of later centuries, Hundreds of jisei have been translated into English here, many for the first time. The result is a moving, powerful collection whose philosophical and aethetic profundity will give readers pause.
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Robb Salovich
reviewed Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death on July 18, 2014 Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death
Yakuo Tokuken wrote, "The words of a man before he dies are no small matter. This is a barrier that all must pass through." Ryuho also said that Only a man's years can teach him the art of detachment and ultimate departure.
Apt words. Apt words indeed. I think that's the main idea of this book, detachment and the enlightenment of 'ultimate departure.' So much dread and despair and uncertainty hangs around the notion of death that it's paralyzing. This book demystifies death, it's a journey. Are these Zen Buddhists certain of where they're going? Probably not, but they don't make a fuss about it. They embrace it, as death surely should be. I think everyone should give this book a read. It'll change your life.
Here a couple of my favourite death poems:
"if you have vanquished your selfhood, coolness will rise even from the fire"
-- Kaisen Shoki
Empty-handed I entered the world
Barefoot I leave it.
My coming, my going --
Two simple happenings
That got entangled.
-- Kozan Ichikyo
Life is like a cloud of mist
emerging from a mountain cave
and death
a floating moon
in its celestial course.
if you think too much
about the meaning they may have
you'll be bound Forever
like an ass to a stake.
-- Mumon Gensen
He who comes knows only his coming
he who goes knows only his end
to be saved from the chasm
why cling to the cliff?
clouds floating low
never know where the breezes will blow them.
-- Sengai Gibon
I came into the world after Buddha.
I leave the world before Miroku.
Between the Buddha of the beginning
and the Buddha of the end
I am not born, I do not die.
-- Ungo Kiyo
On a journey, ill:
my dream goes wandering
over withered fields
-- Basho
My one wish
is to live in the capital
of non-action
-- Kibai
A journey of no return:
the wanderer's sack is
bottomless
-- Kyoshu
I came from nowhere and go nowhere
Moon in a barrel;
you never know just when
the bottom will fall out.
-- Mabutsu
I cleansed the mirror
of my heart -- now it reflects
the moon.
-- Renseki
Like dewdrops
on a lotus leaf
I vanish
-- Senryu
Yesterday, it was hibiscus
today, my life is
morning glory
-- Shohaku
festival of souls:
yesterday I hosted them
today I am a guest
-- Sofu
Spitting blood
clears up reality
and dream alike.
-- Sunao
The moon leaks out
from sleeves of cloud
and scatters shadows
-- Tanko
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