Reviews for Allegories of Desire: Esoteric Literary Commentaries of Medieval Japan

The average rating for Allegories of Desire: Esoteric Literary Commentaries of Medieval Japan based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2009-01-25 00:00:00 Charles Copeland Soon, we will not be in this world together And all will be a memory: Now, for just a moment, How I wish to meet. ' Izumi Shikibu, #56 Better than Neruda, I tell you. One hundred people, one poem each. That's the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, a Japanese anthology compiled by Fujiwara no Teika (1162-1241), a renowned poet from Ogura, Kyoto. He is considered one of the masters of waka, a type of poetry which consists of five lines with a total of 31 syllables that now is commonly known as tanka. Among the ones I highlighted there are poems by Sarumaru no Dayu (#5), Ono no Komachi (#9), Fujiwara no Kanesuke (#27), Ki no Tsurayuki (#35), Gyōson (#66), Lady Suō no Naishi (#67) and Retired Emperor Sutoku (#79). Each English version is followed by the original text in Japanese and romaji and a literal translation. Some of them include long chains of possible words, so several poems can be read in so many ways and they all work - a masterful demonstration of wordplay. Additionally, some of them come with a brief explanation of the historical context in which they were written or something about the personal life of the poet. #33 by Ki no Tomonori (c. 850 - c. 904) Eternal moon And fading light- This spring day, A restless heart And scattered blossoms. * 久方の 光のどけき 春の日に しづ心なく 花のちるらむ * Hisakata no Hikari nodokeki Haru no hi ni Shizu-gokoro naku Hana no chiruran This poem gives a sense of long-lasting happiness ("the eternal moon") combined with a worry that it is ending ("losing light", "restless heart", "scattered [cherry] blossoms"). Cherry blossoms are known for their vivid beauty, but they only bloom for a couple weeks a year before scattering and disappearing... A recurring, useless and yet sometimes inevitable way to experience a brief moment of happiness, isn't it? I love it for that. As it usually happens with Japanese poetry, nature and human emotions are vividly entangled, developing strong visual descriptions. A thousand words - often difficult to utter - are replaced by one single and effective image. An endless night, a pale moon, autumn leaves, a broken brook, scattered cherry blossoms. My personal favorite: #83 by Fujiwara no Toshinari (1114-1204) Society's midst A tearful path, Desiring retreat To mountain depths- But there too, a deer cries. * 世の中よ 道こそなけれ 思ひ入る 山のおくにも 鹿ぞ鳴くなる * Yo no naka yo Michi koso nakere Omoi iru Yama no oku ni mo Shika zo naku naru July 19-20, 18 * Photo / CC ** Also on my blog.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-12-27 00:00:00 Mike Jacobus Kakinomoto no Hitomaro Oh, the foot-drawn trail Of the mountain-pheasant's tail Drooped like down-curved branch! Through this long, long-dragging night Must I lie in bed alone? --- Ono no Komachi Color of the flower Has already faded away, While in idle thoughts My life passes vainly by, As I watch the long rains fall. --- Minamoto no Toru Like Michinoku prints Of the tangled leaves of ferns, It is because of you That I have become confused; But my love for you remains. --- Ariwara no Yukihira Though we are parted, If on Mount Inaba's peak I should hear the sound Of the pine trees growing there, I'll come back again to you. --- Mibu no Tadamine Like the morning moon, Cold, unpitying was my love. And since we parted, I dislike nothing so much As the breaking light of day. --- Fujiwara no Okikaze Who is still alive When I have grown so old That I can call my friends? Even Takasago's pines No longer offer comfort --- Minamoto no Hitoshi Bamboo growing Among the tangled reeds Like my hidden love: But it is too much to bear That I still love her so. --- Sone no Yoshitada Like a mariner Sailing over Yura's strait With his rudder gone: Where, over the deep of love, The end lies, I do not know. --- Fujiwara no Michimasa Is there any way Except by a messenger To send these words to you? If I could, I'd come to you To say goodbye forever. --- Oe no Masafusa On that far mountain On the slope below the peak Cherries are in flower. Oh, let the mountain mists Not arise to hide the scene. --- Lady Horikawa Is it forever That he hopes our love will last? He did not answer. And now my daylight thoughts Are as tangled as my black hair. --- Lady Sanuki Like a rock at sea, At ebb-tide hidden from view, Is my tear-drenched sleeve: Never for a moment dry, And no one knows it is there. --- Fujiwara no Kintsune Not the snow of flowers, That the hurrying wild wind whirls Round the garden court: What withers and falls away In this place is I myself. --- Emperor Juntoku In this ancient house, Paved with a hundred stones, Ferns grow in the eaves; But numerous as they are, My old memories are more