Poetry Month!
 
 

Special Offers see all

Enter to WIN!

Weekly drawing for $100 credit. Subscribe to our Specials newsletter for a chance to win.
Privacy Policy

More at Powell's

Recently Viewed clear list

Guests | April 22, 2013

John-Paul Flintoff: IMG We Can Be Heroes (Yes, You Too)

0 comments By John-Paul Flintoff

Recently, I was feeling stuck with a problem I couldn't resolve. So I asked Nelson Mandela for advice. I don't need to tell you the details, because... Continue »
  1. $11.20 Sale Trade Paper add to wish list

    How to Change the World (School of Life)

    John-Paul Flintoff 9781250030672
spacer
Ships free on qualified orders.
$10.95
List price: $16.95
Used Trade Paper
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Add to Wishlist
Qty Store Section
1 Burnside Classics- Japanese

Japanese Death Poems

by

Japanese Death Poems Cover

ISBN13: 9780804831796
ISBN10: 0804831793
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

Only 1 left in stock at $10.95!

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

Synopsis:

Hundreds of 'jisei' or death poems translated into English

Synopsis:

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.
back to top

About the Author

Professor Yoel Hoffman has written several books on Buddhism and comparative philosophy, including The Sound of the One Hand, Radical Zen: the Sayings of Joshu, and The Idea of Self-East and West.
back to top

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
lauraelik, August 10, 2012 (view all comments by lauraelik)
Hoffman provides a substantial introduction to the history of the haiku and tanka forms, Japanese culture and religion, and views on death and dying. Parts two and three present death poems by Zen monks and haiku poets (respectively) on the verge of death. The poems are translated into English and are accompanied by cultural context and a short biography of each author.

This is both an educational and contemplative little book that inspires great respect for Japanese poetry. The more I read it, the more wisdom and appreciation I glean.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
report this comment
back to top

Product Details

ISBN:
9780804831796
Subtitle:
Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death
Other:
Monks, Zen
Author:
Zen Monks
Author:
Hoffmann, Yoel
Publisher:
Tuttle Publishing
Location:
Rutland, Vt.
Subject:
Asian
Subject:
Anthologies (multiple authors)
Subject:
Poetry (poetic works by one author)
Subject:
Death
Subject:
Death & Dying
Subject:
Chinese poetry
Subject:
Haiku
Subject:
General
Subject:
Anthologies-Miscellaneous International Poetry
Subject:
Non-Classifiable
Copyright:
1998
Edition Description:
Paperback
Series:
No Series
Series Volume:
[1]
Publication Date:
19980415
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
368
Dimensions:
7 x 5 in 13 oz
back to top

Other books you might like

  1. The Poetry of Petrarch Used Hardcover $14.95
  2. The Complete Stories
    Used Trade Paper $8.50
  3. Kappa Used Trade Paper $6.50
  4. Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
    Used Trade Paper $7.50
  5. Steelhead & Salmon Drift Fishing Secrets
    New Trade Paper $16.25
  6. The Red Tent Used Trade Paper $5.95
back to top

Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Anthologies » Miscellaneous International Poetry
Fiction and Poetry » Anthologies » Poetry
Fiction and Poetry » Classics » Japanese
Fiction and Poetry » Poetry » A to Z
Fiction and Poetry » Poetry » Anthologies
History and Social Science » Sociology » General
Religion » Eastern Religions » Japanese Religion and Literature

Japanese Death Poems Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$10.95 In Stock
Product details 368 pages Tuttle Publishing - English 9780804831796 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by ,
Hundreds of 'jisei' or death poems translated into English
"Synopsis" by , 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.
spacer
spacer
  • back to top
Follow us on...




Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.