Japanes Death Poems

by Yoel Hoffmann

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." Such a poem is often written in the very last moments of the poet's life.

Hundreds of Japanese death poems, many with a commentary describing the circumstances of the poet's death, have been translated into English here, the vast majority of them for the first time. Yoel Hoffmann explores the attitudes and customs surrounding death in historical and present-day Japan and gives examples of how these have been reflected in the nation's literature in general. The development of writing jisei is then examined--from the longing poems of the early nobility and the more "masculine" verses of the samurai to the satirical death poems of later centuries.

Zen Buddhist ideas about death are also described as a preface to the collection of Chinese death poems by Zen monks that are also included. Finally, the last section contains three hundred twenty haiku, some of which have never been assembled before, in English translation and romanized in Japanese.

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

About the author

Yoel Hoffmann (23 June 1937– 25 August 2023) was an Israeli Jewish contemporary author, editor, scholar and translator.

Reviews

[Cypher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of “the death poem” is so beautiful to me. I read something recently that discusses living a grateful life means being grateful for all of it & not picking a choosing what we are grateful for, sort of like possessing a radical gratitude. I feel like this falls under that same umbrella. Accepting life means accepting all of life, even death. I think channeling that acceptance is so important to living a fulfilled life & allowing every moment to matter.

I’m honestly, in a few ways, dealing with grief right now & the perspective this book has given me is helping me to work through that.

I think it all starts & ends with love.

[Alexis Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empty-handed I entered the world
Barefoot I leave it.
My coming, my going--
Two simple happenings
That got entangled.