The Signature of All Things

by Kenneth Rexroth

Beautifully printed at the Stamperia Valdonega by Hans Mardersteig. Rexroth 1905-82 was an American poet, translator, and critical essayist whose writings influenced Beat writers such as Allen Ginsberg. He was also noted for his translations of Chinese and Japanese poetry. Acknowledgments, dedication, table of contents, introduction by the poet

Genres: Poetry

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

Kenneth Rexroth was an American poet, translator, and critical essayist.

He is regarded as a central figure in the San Francisco Renaissance, and paved the groundwork for the movement. Although he did not consider himself to be a Beat poet, and disliked the association, he was dubbed the "Father of the Beats" by Time magazine.

Largely self-educated, Rexroth learned several languages and translated poems from Chinese, French, Spanish, and Japanese. He was among the first poets in the United States to explore traditional Japanese poetic themes and forms.

Rexroth died in Santa Barbara, California, on June 6, 1982. He had spent his final years translating Japanese and Chinese women poets, as well as promoting the work of female poets in America and overseas.