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Traditional Japanese Poetry: An Anthology Paperback – April 1, 1993

by Steven Carter (Contributor)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 33 ratings
See all formats and editions
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This anthology brings togethere in convenient form a rich selection of Japanese poetry in traditional genres dating back from the earliest times to the twentieth century. With more than 1,100 poems, it is the most varied and comprehensive selection of traditional Japanese poetry now available in English.

Ezra Pound called poetry "the most concentrated form of verbal expression," and the great poets of Japan wrote poems as charged and compressed as poems can be. The Japanese language, with its few consonates and even fewer vowels, did not lend itself to expansive forms, making small seem better and perhaps more powerful. There is also the historical context in which Japanese poetry developed―the highly refined society of the early courts of Nara and Kyoto. In this setting, poetry came to be used as much for communication between lovers and friends as for artistic expression, and a tradition of cryptic statement evolved, with notes passed from sleeve to sleeve or conundrums exchanged furtively in the night.

Add to this the high sense of decorum that dominated court society for centuries, and you have the conditions that led to the development of the classical uta (also referred to as tanka or waka), the thrity-one-syllable form that acts as the foundation for virtually all poetry written in Japanese between 850 and 1900.

In choosing poems, the compiler has given priority to authors and works gnerally acknowledged as of great artistic and/or historical importance by Japanese scholars. For this reason, major poets such as Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, Izumi Shikibu, Saigyo, and Matsuo Basho are particualarly important collections such as Man'yoshu, Kokinshu, and Shin kokinshu. In addtion, the volume also contains samplings from genres such as the poetic diary, linked verse, Chinese forms, and comic verse.

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  1. Print length
    534 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Stanford University Press
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 1993
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.34 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0804722129
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0804722124
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

This anthology brings togethere in convenient form a rich selection of Japanese poetry in traditional genres dating back from the earliest times to the twentieth century. With more than 1,100 poems, it is the most varied and comprehensive selection of traditional Japanese poetry now available in English.
Ezra Pound called poetry “the most concentrated form of verbal expression,” and the great poets of Japan wrote poems as charged and compressed as poems can be. The Japanese language, with its few consonates and even fewer vowels, did not lend itself to expansive forms, making small seem better and perhaps more powerful. There is also the historical context in which Japanese poetry developed—the highly refined society of the early courts of Nara and Kyoto. In this setting, poetry came to be used as much for communication between lovers and friends as for artistic expression, and a tradition of cryptic statement evolved, with notes passed from sleeve to sleeve or conundrums exchanged furtively in the night.
Add to this the high sense of decorum that dominated court society for centuries, and you have the conditions that led to the development of the classical uta

(also referred to as tanka

or waka

), the thrity-one-syllable form that acts as the foundation for virtually all poetry written in Japanese between 850 and 1900.
In choosing poems, the compiler has given priority to authors and works gnerally acknowledged as of great artistic and/or historical importance by Japanese scholars. For this reason, major poets such as Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, Izumi Shikibu, Saigyo, and Matsuo Basho are particualarly important collections such as Man’yoshu, Kokinshu, and Shin kokinshu. In addtion, the volume also contains samplings from genres such as the poetic diary, linked verse, Chinese forms, and comic verse.

From the Back Cover

This anthology brings togethere in convenient form a rich selection of Japanese poetry in traditional genres dating back from the earliest times to the twentieth century. With more than 1,100 poems, it is the most varied and comprehensive selection of traditional Japanese poetry now available in English.
Ezra Pound called poetry “the most concentrated form of verbal expression,” and the great poets of Japan wrote poems as charged and compressed as poems can be. The Japanese language, with its few consonates and even fewer vowels, did not lend itself to expansive forms, making small seem better and perhaps more powerful. There is also the historical context in which Japanese poetry developed—the highly refined society of the early courts of Nara and Kyoto. In this setting, poetry came to be used as much for communication between lovers and friends as for artistic expression, and a tradition of cryptic statement evolved, with notes passed from sleeve to sleeve or conundrums exchanged furtively in the night.
Add to this the high sense of decorum that dominated court society for centuries, and you have the conditions that led to the development of the classical uta

(also referred to as tanka

or waka

), the thrity-one-syllable form that acts as the foundation for virtually all poetry written in Japanese between 850 and 1900.
In choosing poems, the compiler has given priority to authors and works gnerally acknowledged as of great artistic and/or historical importance by Japanese scholars. For this reason, major poets such as Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, Izumi Shikibu, Saigyo, and Matsuo Basho are particualarly important collections such as Man’yoshu, Kokinshu, and Shin kokinshu. In addtion, the volume also contains samplings from genres such as the poetic diary, linked verse, Chinese forms, and comic verse.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stanford University Press; 1st edition (April 1, 1993)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 534 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0804722129
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0804722124
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.6 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.34 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
33 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book a valuable collection of Japanese poetry from earliest times to the present. They appreciate the well-written translations and the grouping of poems by writer. The book is described as wonderful, a worthwhile addition to any serious library, and the best collection of Uta yet found.

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Poetry collectionValue for money
7 customers mention "Poetry collection"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's presentation of poems in their entirety. They find the notes and information provided beside the poems helpful. The book is a collection of Japanese poetry from earliest times to the present, organized by writer. It provides well-written translations with good explanations and is pleasant to read. Readers also mention that the book includes both Japanese and English translations.

"...This book is clearly written for a college Japanese Poetry level class because of the clearly academic approach to the subject...." Read more

"...The poems are presented in their entirety, and any notes or information are beside them, saving the reader from the annoyance of having to look to..." Read more

"...The relatively extinct form, chooka, is in my opinion, well represented in this compilation...." Read more

"...It describes all you need to know such as tanka and haiku. Look no further this book has it all including beautiful poems of course...." Read more

6 customers mention "Value for money"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They find it a worthwhile addition to any serious library and a classic compilation of Japanese poetry.

"...(and other Asian and American poems) poetry this is a must have book for your personal library...." Read more

"...Beautifully done, well worth owning." Read more

"...In my opinion this book is well worth considering." Read more

"If you like this kind of poetry, this book is a really good collection. A worthy addition to any serious library." Read more

An excellent collection
5 out of 5 stars
An excellent collection
This is a fascinating primer on its subject, filled with eloquent translations and extensive but uncluttered commentary into both the biographies of the poets and their contributions to critical movements within the literature over time. One comes away from this book with a firm grasp of both Japanese verse aesthetics up to 1900 as well as considerable insight into how the rise and fall of dynasties and court culture shaped Japanese verse in form and content across 1200 years. It’s a great introduction to luminaries such as Teika, Bashō, and Hitomaro among dozens of others and combines the right mix of literary history and well-wrought poetry, making it a must have for university students or instructors of the literature; casual enthusiasts; and English poets seeking inspiration for their own work in traditional syllabic forms like the chōka, uta, and haiku.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Keith Hickman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was exactly what I was looking for.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Joseph J. Truncale
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you like Japanese poetry you will love this beautiful collection of poems.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    As someone who for more than 7 decades has had a passion for Japanese Martial Arts (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate-Do, Kenjutsu, Hanbo Jutsu, and Tanto-Jutsu) and Poetry Forms (Tanka, Haiku, Senryu, and Sedoka) when I saw this amazing 514 page soft cover book (Traditional Japanese Poetry: An Anthology translated, with an introduction by Steven D. Carter) on Amazon for a bargain price I had to purchase it.

    From all the years I have been reading and writing Japanese and Chinese poetry I cannot believe to have missed this amazing volume along the way? This book was originally published in 1991 and covers Japanese poetry from a historical perspective.

    The introduction by Steven D. Carter provides an overview of how most classical Japanese poetry forms are usually created. This excellent large volume covers the following Japanese periods: The Ancient Age which includes poets of the early courts and related material. The Classical Age poems and poetry, the early Medieval Age, the late Medieval Age, the early Modern age, and the Modern age.

    This book is clearly written for a college Japanese Poetry level class because of the clearly academic approach to the subject. In this respect it is not intended for merely recreational and informative reading. This does not mean the book is only for college level study because anyone seriously interested Japanese poems and poets will also love and appreciate this wonderful book.

    If you are a collector of Japanese (and other Asian and American poems) poetry this is a must have book for your personal library. In fact, this is a book that should be part of any public or personal library.
    Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Martial Art and Warrior Haiku and Senryu).
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Diana Wilder
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Compilation and Translation of Japanese Poetry
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is a compilation of Japanese poetry from earliest times to the present. The poems are grouped by writer, with information given on the writer (when possible) and the circumstances giving rise to the poem (or shedding light on the poem). I

    This was published by the Stanford University Press. The poems are presented in their entirety, and any notes or information are beside them, saving the reader from the annoyance of having to look to the bottom of the page or flip to the back.

    Beautifully done, well worth owning.
    8 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • PersonReviewing
    5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST COLLECTION OF UTA I HAVE YET TO FIND
    Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I have been a fan of Japanese poetry for years, and have sought a collection of uta (song or lyrical poem) at an affordable price. The relatively extinct form, chooka, is in my opinion, well represented in this compilation. My favorate form of uta/waka, the tanka, is extreamly well represented.

    The hokku/haiku sections are not as definitive, but are also great. A chapter is included with senryu.

    The only items missing is originol Japanese orthography, however the roomaji that is included is (to a lesser extent) extreamly usefull.

    In my opinion this book is well worth considering.
    11 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Christopher Ramos
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love Japanese poetry for its straightforward and transient yet powerful ...
    Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I love Japanese poetry for its straightforward and transient yet powerful lines. If you're new to Japanese poetry this is the book for you. It describes all you need to know such as tanka and haiku. Look no further this book has it all including beautiful poems of course.
    This book of poems
    I consume without a thought-
    like a juicy plum.
    Helpful
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  • Denise
    5.0 out of 5 stars very well written translation
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    very well written, beautiful. Good explanations, extremely pleasant to read.
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  • Rachel
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is Art to behold
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The perfect combination between poetry and historical facts.
    I am positively thrilled to the core with the art work in this spectacular volume.
    A pleasure to truly behold by all who read it.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Bill
    5.0 out of 5 stars A little pricey but worth it!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    My Japanese daughter in law loved the book; Japanese but also English translation.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • andy downing
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Perfect for learning and experiencing a way of life long lost
    Report