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jasoncomely's review
4.0
Ryokan's compassionate, minimalist, childlike life is inspirational. For best results, savour this book with a bowl of Hot and Sour soup.
foggy_rosamund's review
3.0
Ryokan was born in 1758, almost 100 years after Basho, and lived an austere and solitary life as a hermit and zen monk. This book contains a selection of poems, divided by periods of Ryokan's life, and an introduction and explanatory notes compiled by the translator, Kazuaki Tanahashi. The introduction gives the reader a sense of Ryokan's lonely life, his place among other Japanese poets, and an insight into his personality. Ryokan was called "the great fool" because of his slovenly appearance, the joy he took in playing with children, and his enthusiasm for simple pleasures, such as playing with toys. One anecdote describes Ryokan picking lice out of his clothes all day, only to return them in the evening! But Ryokan was also an accomplished artist and calligrapher, and his poetry and art were much admired in his lifetime. He lived a life of austere poverty because of his commitment to Buddhism and zen practice.
The explanatory notes in this book are excellent, and the translations, to my inexperienced ears, seemed precise and evocative. Ryokan writes waka (poems of five lines), haiku (poems of three lines) and longer contemplative pieces. It was interesting for me to compare Ryokan's work with that of more secular Japanese poets,such as Issa or Bosun. While Buddhist thought certainly comes into their work, they are not monks, and their poems are less focused on a Buddhist way of life. Ryokan's longer poems are frequently about his dissatisfaction with other Buddhist monks, and details of Buddhist thoughts. Despite the translator's helpful notes, I found these poem inaccessible and vague. English-language poetry usually focuses on the explicit and immediate rather than the general -- Ryokan's longer poems in particular lacked immediacy for me. For example, "The myriad phenomena are altogether serene. / After the bell sounds the fifth night period, / a voice chants in harmony with the trickling fountain. " This is a section from one of Ryokan's longer poems, and I struggle to visualise phrases such as "the myriad phenomena."
The shorter poems are often very beautiful. Ryokan has a witty voice and a keen eye for details. A few short lines can create a memorable scene, as in all the best haiku. For example
Walking to a neighbour's bath,
clogs clatter loudly --
winter moon.
This whole scene comes to life for me! The anticipation of a hot bath, the frosty air, the wooden clogs clattering on cold, hard ground, the crisp brightness of a winter moon. It is an image one can meditate on and return to in one's thoughts. Ryokan is keenly aware of the loneliness and transience of life, and writes hopeful waka that remind us of our place in the universe --
I don't regard my life
as insufficient.
Inside the brushwood gate
there is a moon;
there are flowers.
He comes across as a tender figure -- a series of poems about children afflicted with smallpox shows his compassion and empathy. He struggles deeply with his paths in life, and gives us no answers --
How can I
sustain my life?
So far,
winter this year
has been brutal.
This short poems give the reader the immediacy and depth of feeling that some of the longer poems lack. I do not find Ryokan's work as accessible or accomplished as that of the great haiku poets such as Basho, Bosun and Issa, but I am very glad I encountered his work. He gives an account of a way of life totally foreign to most of us, and moment of deep insights.
The explanatory notes in this book are excellent, and the translations, to my inexperienced ears, seemed precise and evocative. Ryokan writes waka (poems of five lines), haiku (poems of three lines) and longer contemplative pieces. It was interesting for me to compare Ryokan's work with that of more secular Japanese poets,such as Issa or Bosun. While Buddhist thought certainly comes into their work, they are not monks, and their poems are less focused on a Buddhist way of life. Ryokan's longer poems are frequently about his dissatisfaction with other Buddhist monks, and details of Buddhist thoughts. Despite the translator's helpful notes, I found these poem inaccessible and vague. English-language poetry usually focuses on the explicit and immediate rather than the general -- Ryokan's longer poems in particular lacked immediacy for me. For example, "The myriad phenomena are altogether serene. / After the bell sounds the fifth night period, / a voice chants in harmony with the trickling fountain. " This is a section from one of Ryokan's longer poems, and I struggle to visualise phrases such as "the myriad phenomena."
The shorter poems are often very beautiful. Ryokan has a witty voice and a keen eye for details. A few short lines can create a memorable scene, as in all the best haiku. For example
Walking to a neighbour's bath,
clogs clatter loudly --
winter moon.
This whole scene comes to life for me! The anticipation of a hot bath, the frosty air, the wooden clogs clattering on cold, hard ground, the crisp brightness of a winter moon. It is an image one can meditate on and return to in one's thoughts. Ryokan is keenly aware of the loneliness and transience of life, and writes hopeful waka that remind us of our place in the universe --
I don't regard my life
as insufficient.
Inside the brushwood gate
there is a moon;
there are flowers.
He comes across as a tender figure -- a series of poems about children afflicted with smallpox shows his compassion and empathy. He struggles deeply with his paths in life, and gives us no answers --
How can I
sustain my life?
So far,
winter this year
has been brutal.
This short poems give the reader the immediacy and depth of feeling that some of the longer poems lack. I do not find Ryokan's work as accessible or accomplished as that of the great haiku poets such as Basho, Bosun and Issa, but I am very glad I encountered his work. He gives an account of a way of life totally foreign to most of us, and moment of deep insights.
lafate's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I was looking for a book with some poetry in it and found this on Audible. I love Japanese literature so gave it a try. It is a wonderful book. The first part is about the poet, Zen Master Ryokan (1758-1831). Then it's mostly poems, then some anecdotes.
I understand there are some sketches, but unfortunately there's no PDF file with this. I wish there was. One of these days I would like to get a paper copy of this as well.
This is narrated by Brian Nishii, one of my favorite narrators, the second book in a row I listened to that he narrated.
saara_ilona_muu's review
5.0
Some of the best poetry I've ever been exposed to. Thoughtful and flowing. I'm so happy to have found this collection!
chasejwise's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0