Sign in with Facebook
One Hundred Leaves: A new annotated translation of the Hyakunin Isshu
by
Blue Flute (Goodreads Author)
The Hyakunin Isshu is a poetry anthology beloved by generations of Japanese since it was compiled in the 13th century. Many Japanese know the poems by heart as a result of playing the popular card game version of the anthology. Collecting one poem each from one hundred poets living from the 7th century to the 13th century, the book covers a wide array of themes and persona...more
Paperback, Black & White, 214 pages
Published
April 26th 2012
by Createspace
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
135)
Nice rendition for a novice reader of Japanese poetry. Educational about the history of the Hyakunin Isshu without being pretentious. Each page consists of a beautiful Japanese portrait on the left page and the text on the right page. The art is wonderfully enhanced, although the book would have been nicer in color.
The text on each right page was laid out in a diamond pattern. At the top was the title followed by the author's English translation. Centered-left was the original Japanese calligra...more
The text on each right page was laid out in a diamond pattern. At the top was the title followed by the author's English translation. Centered-left was the original Japanese calligra...more
I won this in the GoodReads giveaway.
This book was okay. It is a collection of haikus from Hyakunin Isshu .
There is a very brief introduction and explanation of how haikus or tanka are written, as well as the origins of Hyakunin Isshu, who wrote it, time period, etc. as well as explaining that haikus and tanka are written in a special Japanese-y way. That is, lots of characters are read different ways.
I love Japanese culture, but as days go by I am becoming quickly frustrated by the language. Wh...more
This book was okay. It is a collection of haikus from Hyakunin Isshu .
There is a very brief introduction and explanation of how haikus or tanka are written, as well as the origins of Hyakunin Isshu, who wrote it, time period, etc. as well as explaining that haikus and tanka are written in a special Japanese-y way. That is, lots of characters are read different ways.
I love Japanese culture, but as days go by I am becoming quickly frustrated by the language. Wh...more
I won this book through Goodreads and I must say I quite enjoy it.
Blue Flute’s One Hundred Leaves starts with a brief introduction to Japanese poetry and explains how this volume came to be. This introduction, though sparse, is informative and prepares you to better understand Japanese poetry. Next come the actual poems. Each one is presented first in English, then we get the Japanese Kanji and a transliteration. It is interesting to see where the poems came from and I find the characters beaut...more
Blue Flute’s One Hundred Leaves starts with a brief introduction to Japanese poetry and explains how this volume came to be. This introduction, though sparse, is informative and prepares you to better understand Japanese poetry. Next come the actual poems. Each one is presented first in English, then we get the Japanese Kanji and a transliteration. It is interesting to see where the poems came from and I find the characters beaut...more
I won this from a Goodreads First reads giveaway. I received it in the mail today. It was a really quick read.
First of all, this is a book that consists of poems by different poets. All of the poems have the same format which is called tanka. There are 100 poems, hence the name One Hundred Leaves. Each poem contains the original japanese, the translation, direct translation as well as pronunciation.Some poems have a short summary explaining further information about the subject of the poem but s...more
First of all, this is a book that consists of poems by different poets. All of the poems have the same format which is called tanka. There are 100 poems, hence the name One Hundred Leaves. Each poem contains the original japanese, the translation, direct translation as well as pronunciation.Some poems have a short summary explaining further information about the subject of the poem but s...more
If you enjoy poetry you should pick up this book. Author Blue Flute provides just enough information about Japanese history and the history of these specific poems to get you hooked, then translates each poem. What was the most fun for me was that (in most cases) the author provides an explanation regarding the interpretation, and for all of these short poems, the literal translation, the poem in Japanese, and the pronunciation of the poem in Japanese. Providing the pronunciation of each poem in...more
I won this on First-reads.
Wonderful!! I wanted this because of a couple reasons. I have always loved Japanese culture and I have a family member who spent some time over there. When I received it and opened it up I was instantly impressed with the cover artwork. Then upon opening it to the first poem, I found a great fondness for the way they are presented. I loved being able to read the poem in English as I still have not learned the Japanese langage. Then I was taken back by the beauty of the...more
Wonderful!! I wanted this because of a couple reasons. I have always loved Japanese culture and I have a family member who spent some time over there. When I received it and opened it up I was instantly impressed with the cover artwork. Then upon opening it to the first poem, I found a great fondness for the way they are presented. I loved being able to read the poem in English as I still have not learned the Japanese langage. Then I was taken back by the beauty of the...more
It's nice to know that the themes commonly used in poetry haven't changed in 1500 years. Most of these poems were about love or loss, but at a different emotional level of today's poems. They were short poems, so in the few lines they really packed in everything.
I enjoyed how Blue Flute put not only the English translation, but the original text, how to sound it out, and the translation notes. A lot of the poems were accompanied by an explanation of some of the symbolism. For example, wet sleev...more
I enjoyed how Blue Flute put not only the English translation, but the original text, how to sound it out, and the translation notes. A lot of the poems were accompanied by an explanation of some of the symbolism. For example, wet sleev...more
I won this book from Goodreads First Reads. What I have always liked most about poetry is the layers of meaning you can gather from one work. These Japanese poems are perfect for that because there are multiple meanings behind many of the words giving the poems a depth many other works could never achieve. The translator does a great job of helping us break down the poems, although I think that if I knew how to read Japanese I would be even more enthralled. Translating them to English definitely...more
I won this book as a GoodReads Giveaway.
Physically, this book does have a nice cover and the dimensions of it aren't very small, which is definitely nice.
This is a great poetry book for someone who wants to learn the japanese language(both verbal and written). The book is compiled of short poems with a drawing for each poem as well. The unique thing that I loved about this book is that it shows you the translation of each poem in both english and japanese. It also shows you how the poems are wri...more
Physically, this book does have a nice cover and the dimensions of it aren't very small, which is definitely nice.
This is a great poetry book for someone who wants to learn the japanese language(both verbal and written). The book is compiled of short poems with a drawing for each poem as well. The unique thing that I loved about this book is that it shows you the translation of each poem in both english and japanese. It also shows you how the poems are wri...more
This was a first reads book thru Goodreads. I fell in love with the book as soon as I opened it. After a short introduction on the poetry, you are immersed into a book filled with beautiful poems and pictures to go along with each poem. I was delighted to see that each poem is not only translated to english, but the pages also contain the poem in Japanese writing with a pronunciation, followed by a literal interpritation as well as literary notes. This book was a true joy to receive and will be...more
This book is a good introduction to classical Japanese poetry for people who haven't encountered it before. The best point of these translations is the discussion of "pivot words." As the author states, there are many homonyms in Japanese, leading to a lot of word play in these poems. The translations are fairly good as well.
The romanizations are off in some places, specifically the rendering of du or tzu and the handling of long vowels. A novice trying to equate the written Japanese with the p...more
The romanizations are off in some places, specifically the rendering of du or tzu and the handling of long vowels. A novice trying to equate the written Japanese with the p...more
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
The book consisted of the translated poem, actual Japanese version, Japanese pronunciation, the literal meaning, a black and white illustration, and notes from the author. The poems were well translated, and I liked how the author added his thoughts of the meaning of the poem and things about the poem.
I think it would have been nice to have background information (if there was any) of the author in all or most of the poems, and a little more annotating...more
The book consisted of the translated poem, actual Japanese version, Japanese pronunciation, the literal meaning, a black and white illustration, and notes from the author. The poems were well translated, and I liked how the author added his thoughts of the meaning of the poem and things about the poem.
I think it would have been nice to have background information (if there was any) of the author in all or most of the poems, and a little more annotating...more
I won this from a First Reads giveaway. I've been trying to branch out into different genres some, and I like poetry, so I decided to enter. Since I won, I feel obligated to finish the book and write a review. However, I started it about four months ago, and have only read about half of the poems. There are a couple that I liked, but most of the rest are just not what I'm used to when it comes to poetry, and so I am having a hard time getting into the reading. One thing I wish the book would exp...more
I received this book as a first-reads giveaway. I tend to like Japanese literature of this era, although I am much more familiar with the novels of the time, including novels which include this type of poetry. I was excited to learn about the courtly poetry a bit more. The poems are in a singular form and I loved the art that went alongside them. The translation seemed fluid, although not speaking Japanese I can't really speak too much on that point. My main disappointment is that the notes on t...more
I am so happy that I won a copy of this book through Goodread's Firstreads Giveaway. I majored in Asian Studies and minored in Japanese in college, so I'm familiar with the language, poetry, and artwork, though I've never read the Hyakunin Isshu before.
I particularly liked the format of the book. Each poem is accompanied by artwork on the left page, and the right page has the translation in English, the poem in the original Japanese (kanji and hiragana), the poem in romanji (English letters to...more
I particularly liked the format of the book. Each poem is accompanied by artwork on the left page, and the right page has the translation in English, the poem in the original Japanese (kanji and hiragana), the poem in romanji (English letters to...more
Jun 15, 2012
Kelly Knapp
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Literature teachers, poetry buffs, poetry novices
Recommended to Kelly by:
Goodreads First Reads giveaways
I had no idea what to expect from One Hundred Leaves, but suspected I would be flummoxed by the poetry. But I was wrong.
These poems are simple but beautiful in that simplicity. Each page has a poem translation. Each has the original Japanese with a pronunciation key. Each has literal notes and some have further explanations, such as double meanings or information about the author. Finally, each poem is next to a print of Japanese Art (in black and white/grayscale.)
Where was this book when I had...more
These poems are simple but beautiful in that simplicity. Each page has a poem translation. Each has the original Japanese with a pronunciation key. Each has literal notes and some have further explanations, such as double meanings or information about the author. Finally, each poem is next to a print of Japanese Art (in black and white/grayscale.)
Where was this book when I had...more
I won this book from goodreads giveaway. I have to say that it was so much better than I expected. I really liked the poems along with the artwork. The poems are written in Japanese and it includes the translation and an explaination of what the poem meant. It's great.
As a teacher, writer and reader of poetry, it is wonderful to have authentic source material to study, quote and exemplify. The illustrations are as delightful as the tanka they accompany. Imagery is so important to this art form and keeps the focus true. I know I will enjoy this timeless volume for ages.
I was lucky enough to win this book in a giveaway, and I'm glad I did! A lovely book with beautiful poetry. Each poem had the English translation, the Japanese pronunciation, and the literal translation, which I enjoyed very much.
the words that were said gave me a insight to their world hundreds of years ago. I really did like reading these poems and sometimes even re-eading them.
i love this book the poems are wonderful and illustrations are beautiful. this book contains 100 japanese poems my favorite if i had to choose is the waterfalls sound ( poem #55)
I received this book in a giveaway and the translator is in my friends list; my opinion would be the same regardless.
The translations are the best I've read (infinitely better than the old MacCauley translations) and each is accompanied by an illustration, the Japanese and its pronunciation, literal notes, and, for most of the poems, translator's notes that are often interesting and add to an understanding of the text. The edition I have has black and white illustrations, but they're still beaut...more
The translations are the best I've read (infinitely better than the old MacCauley translations) and each is accompanied by an illustration, the Japanese and its pronunciation, literal notes, and, for most of the poems, translator's notes that are often interesting and add to an understanding of the text. The edition I have has black and white illustrations, but they're still beaut...more
I love this book of Hyakunins, I enjoy reading the translations of the various poems. It is not a book that I am reading front to back. I just pick it up and read a poem or tow and the translations. I received this book from GoodReads First Reads.
I won this book through a goodreads giveaway.
My review is unique from the standpoint that, with all the poetry I have read, Japanese poetry always managed to slip through the cracks.
This book is beautiful! I am now a fan of Japanese poetry. I love bilingual books (Thanks for the pronunciation guide!) and the annotations help clueless people like me understand Japanese culture and history.
Two thumbs up!!!
My review is unique from the standpoint that, with all the poetry I have read, Japanese poetry always managed to slip through the cracks.
This book is beautiful! I am now a fan of Japanese poetry. I love bilingual books (Thanks for the pronunciation guide!) and the annotations help clueless people like me understand Japanese culture and history.
Two thumbs up!!!
I received this book for free from the Goodreads First reads. I enjoyed the book. It is a book that you can pick up and read it different parts. Re-read and re-interpret different passages.
I borrowed this book from a friend. I loved this book I loved the translations (because I don't speak Japanese) but also to what the poems looked like and sounded like before the translation. I loved the literary notes I think they give an isight into what it means but then I take what I think and feel and think about the notes say. I love poetry.
The collection of poems was fine and all, but the way the pages looked seemed very amateur to me. It didn't look like a professionally published book to me.
I won this in a goodreads first reads giveaway
I won this in a goodreads first reads giveaway
Free Reads Win. I love Japanese culture, so to me I found this book very interesting and good. Too me this was lite readingg. It was an amazing read and I am so happy to have won this.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
![One Hundred Leaves: A new annotated translation of the Hyakunin Isshu [color edition] (Paperback)](http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1336049745s/13632271.jpg)
Frank Watson, also writing as "Blue Flute," was born in Venice, California and now lives in New York City. He enjoys literature, art, calligraphy, history, jazz, and all aspects of international culture and travel.
Books include:
- Fragments: poetry, ancient & modern.
- One Hundred Leaves: a new, annotated translation of the Hyakunin Isshu.
Frank's blog is located at: www.followtheblueflute.com.
More about Blue Flute...
Books include:
- Fragments: poetry, ancient & modern.
- One Hundred Leaves: a new, annotated translation of the Hyakunin Isshu.
Frank's blog is located at: www.followtheblueflute.com.
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
