The Tales of the Heike is one of the most influential works in Japanese literature and culture, remaining even today a crucial source for fiction, drama, and popular media. Originally written in the mid-thirteenth century, it features a cast of vivid characters and chronicles the epic Genpei war, a civil conflict that marked the end of the power of the Heike and changed the course of Japanese history. The Tales of the Heike focuses on the lives of both the samurai warriors who fought for two powerful twelfth-century Japanese clans-the Heike (Taira) and the Genji (Minamoto)-and the women with whom they were intimately connected. The Tales of the Heike provides a dramatic window onto the emerging world of the medieval samurai and recounts in absorbing detail the chaos of the battlefield, the intrigue of the imperial court, and the gradual loss of a courtly tradition. The book is also highly religious and Buddhist in its orientation, taking up such issues as impermanence, karmic retribution, attachment, and renunciation, which dominated the Japanese imagination in the medieval period. In this new, abridged translation, Burton Watson offers a gripping rendering of the work's most memorable episodes. Particular to this translation are the introduction by Haruo Shirane, the woodblock illustrations, a glossary of characters, and an extended bibliography.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
An excellent translation and a welcome contribution to the field--Matthew Stavros "Japanese Studies "
Watson's is... the best of the translations.--Donald Richie "The Japan Times "
One of the great literary classics.--Keith Garebian "The Globe and Mail "
Terrifically exciting and spiritually rich.--Kirkus Reviews
Burton Watson has taught Chinese and Japanese literature at Columbia, Stanford, and Kyoto Universities. He is the winner of the PEN Translation Prize and in 2005 was awarded an American Academy of Arts and Letters Prize in literature. His translations include Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings, Ryokan: Zen Monk-Poet of Japan, and The Lotus Sutra, all published by Columbia University Press. He lives in Tokyo, Japan.Haruo Shirane is Shincho Professor of Japanese Literature and Culture at Columbia University. He is the author and editor of numerous works on Japanese literature, including Early Modern Japanese Literature: An Anthology, 1600-1900 (Columbia University Press); Inventing the Classics: Modernity, National Identity, and Japanese Literature; Traces of Dreams: Landscape, Cultural Memory, and the Poetry of Basho; The Bridge of Dreams: A Poetics of The Tale of Genji; Classical Japanese: A Grammar (Columbia University Press); and the forthcoming Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600 (Columbia University Press).
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 4.80
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Shipping:
£ 3.19
Within U.S.A.
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR007340331
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 6233302-6
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 4607566-6
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_398575298
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Frabjous Books, Calgary, AB, Canada
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. ix, 216 pp. "One of the most influential works in Japanese literature.new, abridged translation.of the work's most memorable episodes." Edited by Haruo Shirane. 17th-century woodblock illustrations. Purple cloth. Bright clean copy. DJ has some light shelf wear. Seller Inventory # 018876
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ShiroBooks, Eureka, CA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good Plus. 1st Edition. Cond.: NF / VG+. Numberung sequence denotes 2nd Printing of the 2006 Columbia Ttanslations from the Asian Classics series 1st Edition thus, edited, with preface and introduction, by Shirane Haruo and translated by Burton Watson. Book is straight, square, tightly and evenly bound and free of gutter creasing, markings and blemishes. Bumping to DJ tail and 1" tear (no loss) and bump to top corner of DJ rear panel the only visible flaws, Cover and unclipped Dust Jacket are clean and bright, with otherwise sharp corners and joints, straight heads, tails, spine / backstrip, hinges and edges, boldly legible lettering and crisply distinct design, artwork and Translator image. (Please see Seller images.) ISBN 0231138024. ShiroBooks, independent bookseller, takes pride in accurate descriptions, careful wrapping and safe shipping; please contact ShiroBooks PRIOR TO ORDERING if more information, details or photos are needed. Seller Inventory # 005281
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Books of the Smoky Mountains, Del Rio, TN, U.S.A.
Condition: very good. Gently used book with ongoing seller support until you're fully satisfied with your purchase. Seller Inventory # oldport0231138024
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. 1.08. Seller Inventory # 0231138024-2-3
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Good condition. This is the average used book, that has all pages or leaves present, but may include writing. Book may be ex-library with stamps and stickers. 1.08. Seller Inventory # 353-0231138024-gdd
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Shows only minor signs of wear, and very minimal markings inside (if any). 1.08. Seller Inventory # 353-0231138024-vrg
Quantity: 1 available