Member-only story

Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse: An Introduction to Japan's Literary Tradition

Thomas Hardy

·8.4k Followers· Follow

Published in One Hundred Poets One Poem Each: A Treasury Of Classical Japanese Verse (Penguin Classics)

4 min read

382 View Claps

62 Respond

Save

Listen

Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse is a comprehensive anthology of Japanese poetry, spanning from the earliest known works to the end of the Edo period. This Penguin Classics edition features an by renowned scholar Donald Keene, who provides historical context and insights into the development of Japanese verse. The anthology includes poems by some of Japan's most celebrated poets, such as Bashō, Buson, Issa, and Saigyo, and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Japanese literature and culture.

One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse (Penguin Classics)

by Kate Sedley

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14826 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	267 pages

A Brief History of Japanese Poetry

The earliest known Japanese poems are the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, which were compiled in the 8th century. These works contain myths, legends, and historical accounts, and include some of the earliest examples of Japanese poetry. The Manyōshū, compiled in the 8th century, is the oldest extant collection of Japanese poetry, and contains over 4,500 poems. The Kokinshū, compiled in the 10th century, is the first imperial anthology of Japanese poetry, and contains 1,111 poems by more than 400 poets. The Shinkokinshū, compiled in the 13th century, is the second imperial anthology of Japanese poetry, and contains 1,980 poems by more than 700 poets. The Hyakunin Isshu, compiled in the 13th century, is a collection of 100 poems by 100 poets, and is one of the most popular anthologies of Japanese poetry.

The Development of Japanese Poetic Forms

Japanese poetry has developed over the centuries, and there are now many different poetic forms. The most common poetic forms are the tanka, the haiku, and the renga. The tanka is a five-line poem with a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable count. The haiku is a three-line poem with a 5-7-5 syllable count. The renga is a collaborative poem that is written by two or more poets, with each poet contributing a single line. The most famous renga is the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, which was compiled in the 13th century and contains 100 poems by 100 poets.

The Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse

The Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse is a comprehensive anthology of Japanese poetry, spanning from the earliest known works to the end of the Edo period. This Penguin Classics edition features an by renowned scholar Donald Keene, who provides historical context and insights into the development of Japanese verse. The anthology includes poems by some of Japan's most celebrated poets, such as Bashō, Buson, Issa, and Saigyo, and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Japanese literature and culture.

The Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Japanese literature and culture. This comprehensive anthology includes poems by some of Japan's most celebrated poets, and is a great way to learn about the development of Japanese verse. With an by renowned scholar Donald Keene, this Penguin Classics edition is the perfect way to explore the rich tradition of Japanese poetry.

One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse (Penguin Classics)

by Kate Sedley

4.8 out of 5