Written on the Sky: Poems from the Japanese (New Directions Paperbook) - Softcover

Kenneth Rexroth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0811218376 ISBN 13: 9780811218375

Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation, 2009

Synopsis

I go out of the darkness
Onto a road of darkness
Lit only by the far off
Moon on the edge of the mountains.
--Izumi Shikobu

Over the years, thousands of readers have discovered the beauty of classic Japanese poetry through the superb English versions by the great American poet Kenneth Rexroth. Mostly haiku, these poems range from the classical and medieval to modern poetry, with an emphasis on folk songs and love lyrics. Because women played such an outstanding role in Japanese literature, included here are selections from their work, including the contemporary, deeply sensuous Marichiko. This elegant, beautifully designed gift book of poems spanning many centuries presents the original texts in romanji, the transliteration into the Western alphabet.

About this title

Review:

I must have Kenneth Rexroth's translations from the Japanese at once! -- William Carlos Williams

A tiny perfect little book. It made us forget totally we were on a subway. --Fukuda Chiyo-Ni,"

I must have Kenneth Rexroth s translations from the Japanese at once! --William Carlos Williams"

Rexroth was steeped in the world s spiritual and literary traditions, absorbing ideas and philosophy into his poetry all his life. "

The best Japanese poetry gathered and translated by Rexroth, including poems by Haito Joso, Prime Minister Kintsune, and Matsuo Basho. --Ray Gonzalez"

About the Author:

Eliot Weinberger is an essayist, editor, and translator. He lives in New York City.

About this edition

• Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0811218376
• ISBN 13: 9780811218375
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96
• Editor: Eliot Weinberger