Zen in English Literature & Oriental Classics [Import] [Paperback]

Reginald Horace Blyth (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 446 pages
• Publisher: Japan Publications Trading Co (July 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4590000113
• ISBN-13: 978-4590000114
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,755,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly remarkable book on Zen., March 6, 2001

By 

"hupo" (Taiwan.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zen in English Literature and Oriental Classics (Hardcover)

It was R.H Blyth's belief that "all that is good in European literature and culture is simply and solely that which is in accordance with the Spirit of Zen." He thereafter applied himself to the task of searching the writings of the East and the West in an attempt to discover that Spirit. This book embraces the classical literature of China and Japan and the whole extent of English literature, with numerous quotations not only from English but also from French, German, Italian and Spanish writing. R.H. Blyth was born in London in 1898 and studied English Literature at London university. He travelled extensively in the East before moving first to Korea and then Japan and teaching English at several universities. He eventually became the English tutor to the Crown Prince (the present Emperor)of Japan. He studied Zen Buddhism under Kayama Taigi Roshi. He was interred during the war years and it was during this internment that he wrote his first book, Zen in English Literature. He went on to write numerous other books on Zen,Haiku, Senryu and Humour. Outstanding among his works are Zen and Zen Classics vols. 1-5. Haiku vols.1-4 and A History of Haiku vols.1-2. During his lifetime (he died in 1964) his writing was considered to be controversial by many Zen scholars but he was supported by Taisetz Suzuki. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Zen or Haiku or indeed English Literature. His writing is exceptionally fluent and easy to understand. Not only was he a sound literary critic, he was much else besides - an essayist,philosopher, poet and brilliant translator, (compare his translations of Haiku and Senryu to those of others) but also a man whose sensibility took roots in two disparate cultures and found a harmony that he was so very well able to communicate in his writing. I feel that my life has been enriched by this mans writing. Why his complete works are not in every bookshop specializing in Asian literature or holding a position of honour in the Oriental Literature section of every decent library is a mystery to me. Publishers please take note. Along the mountain path, The scent of plum blossoms, And, on a sudden turn, the rising sun!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Orientalism never tasted so good, June 19, 2003

By 

Thomas Strong "wheatthin" (Atlanta, GA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zen in English Literature and Oriental Classics (Paperback)

I liberally quoted from this book in my bachelor's thesis, a decision that made every professor on my review panel aghast. In this era, an old hoagie like Blyth, who sought poetry and enlightenment anywhere he could find it, is clearly a negative influence on the kids.

I have no idea if Blyth "gets" Zen, and to be frank I don't care if he doesn't. His project -- attempting to prove that everything worthwhile in English literature (as well as all of European culture and the Bible itself) is an expression of Zen is boldly and hopelessly futile. And as such, it's a perfect expression of Zen as he knows it.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MY MOST VALUED BOOK, March 16, 2001

By 

MICHAEL BAUDRIER (Surrey, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zen in English Literature and Oriental Classics (Hardcover)

With a personal library of some three thousand books, I have found Blyth's Zen in English Literature & Oriental Classics the most valuable, the most inspiring, and the most revealing. Blyth declares religion to be poetry, and poetry to be religion. But that statement is, like all, inadequate. Others have praised this book highly. As have I. Here I only want to say again: The publisher (or whoever holds the copyright) should do the world a favor by making this book available---along with Blyth's other Zen writings. I want to buy copies and give them to friends, and I would never lend the one copy I have. Also, I hope somebody is going to write and publish a biography of Reginald H Blyth, because I believe his history, writings, thoughts, and teachings are of worldwide import. Not all may agree, because Blyth told it as it is ....