Lotus Moon: The Poetry of Rengetsu

by Otagaki Rengetsu

“One pleasure of discovering the lives and teachings of the rare women we find in the history of Buddhism is seeing how they take up the tragedies in their lives and transform them. Because their stories are less accessible—-finding someone like Rengetsu is a great gift. To sit with the poems of Rengetsu is to allow a teacher into the depth of one’s mind.”—Bonnie Myotai Treace, spiritual director of the Zen Center of New York At 33, Otagaki Nobu renounced a world that had visited great tragedy upon her (after losing two husbands and two infant children) and was ordained a Buddhist nun, taking the name Rengetsu (Lotus Moon). Lotus Moon is a selection of her finest poetry presented in John Stevens ’ elegant translations and includes illustrations of her artwork and pottery.

Genres: Poetry, Buddhism, Japan

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[S. Alberto ⁻⁷ (yearning) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Like a drifting cloud, bound for nowhere, my heart too, wanders."

"With each petal, my thoughts fall, scattering into the wind."

Otagaki Rengetsu’s poetry provides not just words but a soothing balm for the soul. Each poem is a delicate snapshot of nature, impermanence, and inner resilience, reflecting the life of a genuine and enduring individual.

Rengetsu’s life, marked by hardship and loss, finds a beautiful echo in her art and poetry, which speaks of peace, gratitude, and the transient beauty of the world. Her words, whether about cherry blossoms, rain on a temple bell, or the moonlight on mountain paths, feel both personal and universal, carrying the weight of her experiences yet uplifting the reader with quiet serenity.

The book invites reflection and feels like a meditative retreat in written form. It’s one I know I’ll return to during contemplative moments, seeking the stillness her work so effortlessly evokes.

For those looking for a gentle yet profound companion for mindfulness or simply to appreciate the artistry of a life well-lived and beautifully expressed, Lotus Moon is an absolute treasure. Rengetsu’s legacy shines as brightly as the moonlight she so often captured in her verse.

[Atara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful volume of poetry written by a Zen Buddhist nun called Rengetsu which means Lotus Moon. She wrote poetry to support herself. Through her poetry, she was able to teach Buddhist Dharma to many. This is a collection of short poems with beautiful imagery and sentiment.

[J. Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful gem of a book for lovers of Japanese poetry. One of the things that is extraordinary about Rengetsu, the poet, is her life story: a high born woman who becomes a nun, a poet, a calligrapher and potter in 19th century Japan. She lived in two worlds: the world of the Shogun and feudal Japan, and the restoration of the Meiji emperor. Whether she lived under the feudalism of an earlier era or the industrialization of Japan into a modern state, she was a recognized potter and artist, which was denied to other women. She created beautiful pieces in her own time that were sought out by collectors, and have been coveted by them ever since. I know I do. The simplicity of her pottery is enhanced many fold by Rengetsu's incised poetry into the sides of her pieces. The delicacy and fluidity of her calligraphy on a scroll is magical. An artist of many talents. This little book offers the reader the poetry, scrolls with her calligraphy, and photos of the incised pottery. Great!!!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how clear precise and pristine these poems are. Like little bells. If you ever feel troubled by assorted gross issues in contemporary american poetry (contests, who knows who politics, etc...) I highly recommend Rengetsu for perspective and a wonderful little mini-vacation.

You shouldn't feel bad about skipping Treace's Afterword; if you're reading the poems mindfully, you won't need it (it also contains the sentence "in its thusness, it is just thus," which is where I stopped).

[Ferris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh! How incredibly lovely! This is a collection of "waka" a form of Japanese poetry written by a Buddhist nun named Rengetsu. The poems are organized by season and are stunning! The Introduction and Afterword are excellent accompaniments in terms of the biography of the poet and the offering of insights into Buddhist practice and symbolism. This is a collection which I will keep close at hand to enjoy throughout the year.