Japanese Literature: Including Selections from Genji Monogatari and Classical Poetry and Drama of Japan

by Epiphanius Wilson

Formatted for the Kindle.
Linked Contents.

CONTENTS
GENJI MONOGATARI
Introduction
The Chamber of Kiri
The Broom-like Tree
Beautiful Cicada
Evening Glory
Young Violet
Saffron Flower
Maple Fête
Flower-Feast
Hollyhock
Divine Tree
Villa of Falling Flowers
Exile at Suma
Exile at Akashi
The Beacon
Overgrown Mugwort
Barrier House
Competitive Show of Pictures

CLASSICAL POETRY OF JAPAN
Introduction
Ballads—
The Fisher-Boy Urashima
On Seeing a Dead Body
The Maiden of Unáhi
The Grave of the Maiden of Unáhi
The Maiden of Katsushika
The Beggar's Complaint
A Soldier's Regrets on Leaving Home
Love Songs—
On Beholding the Mountain
Love is Pain
Hitomaro to His Mistress
No Tidings
Homeward
The Maiden and the Dog
Love is All
Husband and Wife
He Comes Not
He and She
The Pearls
A Damsel Crossing a Bridge
Secret Love
The Omen
A Maiden's Lament
Rain and Snow
Mount Mikash
Evening
Elegies—
On the Death of the Mikado Tenji
On the Death of the Poet's Mistress
Elegy on the Poet's Wife
On the Death of Prince Hinami
On the Death of the Nun Riguwañ
On the Poet's Son, Furubi
Short Stanza on the Same Occasion
Miscellaneous Poems—
View from Mount Kago
The Mikado's Bow
Spring and Autumn
Spring
Recollections of My Children
The Brook of Hatsúse
Lines to a Friend
A Very Ancient Ode
The Bridge to Heaven
Ode to the Cuckoo
The Ascent of Mount Tsukúba
Couplet
Short Stanzas

THE DRAMA OF JAPAN
Nakamitsu
Abstraction

Genres: Classics

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1899

Reviews

[Nicolas Shump · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read only two plays from this anthology, but I liked them both. "Abstraction" is very short, but it reminds me of the work of Japanese film directors like Kurosawa and a classic like Rashomon. The nature of identity and truth is slippery in this piece. At the same time, there is definite evidence of classic Japanese virtues like duty, decorum, and masculinity/patriarchy.
The second play I read is one of the Japanese Noh dramas called "Nakamitsu." What a tragic piece. The theme of duty is prevalent and is the source of much of the tragedy and in my case near anger and revulsion at what happens to some of these characters. However the themes of sacrifice, courage, and honors make for a powerful experience.

[Joey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read "The Tale of Genii" and battled on (what seemed to me) the clunky translations of the poetry.