Traditional Japanese Poetry

Traditional Japanese Poetry: An Anthology, translated by Steven D Carter, 456 pages

This anthology collects 1157 poems written by Japanese poets between the 7th and 20th centuries.

     Hearing the echo

          of a bird-scarer announcing

               "He is here no more,"

     I am saddened by the loss

          of the world that went before.

Japan may be unique among the great cultures of the world in lacking an epic poetic tradition.  Famously, however, the Japanese developed the short poem to extreme levels of subtlety and refinement.  Along with the familiar haiku, which is a relatively late form, this collection includes a number of other established traditional forms, including linked poetry, each verse of which, often written by different poets, connects obliquely to those before and after.

     One can not be sure of living

          even until the evening.

     In the dim dawn light

          I watch the waves in the wake

               of a departing boat.

Carter provides short explanatory introductions to each section, and has even included several complete poem sequences, demonstrating the distinct art of compilation and arrangement.  The sheer scope of this collection will enrich even the casual reader, who can then, in turn, provide an answer to Shunzei's question.

     Far in the future,

     will someone remember me

          with a tender heart -

     sharing with me the habit

          of musing on the past?