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The Life of an Amorous Man
The Life of an Amorous Man depicts the pursuits and follies of the most glorious age of old Japan, when the new bourgeoisie, unfettered by the societal constraints of the traditional aristocracy, indulged in the free and easy life of Japan's celebrated pleasure houses. The hero of this novel is a composite of the many daijin (men of wealth) who spent their time in these flourishing establishments. The novel follows the hero, Yonosuke, or "Man of the World," from precocious childhood to the close of his amatory career. Along the way, Saikaku exploits the full gamut of sexual indulgence, always with frankness, often with humor, and occasionally with pathos - chronicling the erotic escapades of his hero and providing vivid character sketches of the women (and sometimes men) with whom Yonosuke dallied.
233 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1682
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About the author
Saikaku Ihara
103 books61 followersSaikaku Ihara (井原 西鶴) was a Japanese poet and creator of the "floating world" genre of Japanese prose (ukiyo-zōshi).
Born the son of the wealthy merchant Hirayama Tōgo (平山藤五) in Osaka, he first studied haikai poetry under Matsunaga Teitoku, and later studied under Nishiyama Sōin of the Danrin School of poetry, which emphasized comic linked verse. Scholars have described numerous extraordinary feats of solo haikai composition at one sitting; most famously, over the course of a single day and night in 1677, Saikaku is reported to have composed at least 16,000 haikai stanzas, with some rumors placing the number at over 23,500 stanzas.
Later in life he began writing racy accounts of the financial and amorous affairs of the merchant class and the demimonde. These stories catered to the whims of the newly prominent merchant class, whose tastes of entertainment leaned toward the arts and pleasure districts.
Born the son of the wealthy merchant Hirayama Tōgo (平山藤五) in Osaka, he first studied haikai poetry under Matsunaga Teitoku, and later studied under Nishiyama Sōin of the Danrin School of poetry, which emphasized comic linked verse. Scholars have described numerous extraordinary feats of solo haikai composition at one sitting; most famously, over the course of a single day and night in 1677, Saikaku is reported to have composed at least 16,000 haikai stanzas, with some rumors placing the number at over 23,500 stanzas.
Later in life he began writing racy accounts of the financial and amorous affairs of the merchant class and the demimonde. These stories catered to the whims of the newly prominent merchant class, whose tastes of entertainment leaned toward the arts and pleasure districts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 14, 2021
This is a translation of a Japanese classic written in the late 1600’s, about 50 years after Shakespeare’s death. We are transported to a different time and different culture.
Our hero, the amorous man, leaves home to sow his wild oats with women, and the occasional man. But that time of sowing lasts his entire life. He wanders through Japan, taking odd jobs, and at times living hand-to-mouth.
Although an entertaining read, it is almost a thesis on the elaborately evolved culture of prostitution and “pleasure houses” in 17th Century Japan. There were female impersonators and male prostitutes traveling as bands of “perfume salesmen.”
At one point the amorous man swears off his life of dissipation and goes into a monastery, but that only lasts a year. He eventually inherits great wealth and then he can carry on his chosen way of life in grand style, “amorous” to the end.
This book truly transports the reader to another time, another place, another culture – almost a different planet. There is almost no graphic sex despite that being a focus of the work.
Edited, pictures added 8/14/2021
Top painting from nippon.com
The author from Wikipedia
November 22, 2019
a really nice description of old japan, the most golden age. amazing that it was written in 1682. the easy and free life around the pleasure houses. lovely
June 7, 2021
Leer a Saikaku es recordar que existió otro Japón que daba rienda suelta a los placeres con un desparpajo y una algarabía que hoy cuesta concebir. Esta novela es una sucesión de encuentros sexuales del protagonista Yonosuke con geishas y actores de teatro a lo largo y ancho de Japón. Más allá de los comentarios jocosos que inundan la prosa, lo interesante es poder ver cómo se vivía en aquella época desaparecida, aquel mundo flotante que, entre sake y besos, celebraba lo efímero y lo pasajero como lo más valioso de todo.
June 4, 2013
Compared to his "Life of an Amorous Woman and Other Writings", "The Life of an Amorous Man" by Ihara Saikoku is, I think, another two-part book we can enjoy reading on how the protagonist, Yonosuke, has spent his life mainly in 17th century Kyoto around 300 years ago. Its two parts consist of 26 titles in Part I and 23 in Part II, therefore, we don't feel tedious while reading each title which has its appropriate length. Moreover, it's translated by Kenji Hamada (not by Dr Ivan Morris) so it seems easier, we can follow each episode and understand what he has done and why.
These are not such unreserved amorous stories expected to savour by readers like those by Don Giovanni, so we would encounter various kinds of his advanture, assistance and merry-making with his friends and remarkable beauties he meets along the way.
These are not such unreserved amorous stories expected to savour by readers like those by Don Giovanni, so we would encounter various kinds of his advanture, assistance and merry-making with his friends and remarkable beauties he meets along the way.
March 4, 2020
"As the sun rises and sets, so does human life. None may escape this law."
So imagine Don Quixote, but instead of Spain imagine Japan, and instead of fighting imaginary dragons imagine boozing, carousing, and sleeping with everything that moves. That’s “The Life of an Amorous Man” and that’s our hero(?) Yonosuke.
In truth however, the word amorous seems to not do justice to his exploits. Yonosuke sleeps with men, he sleeps with women, he sleeps with the married, the unmarried, widows, the young, the old. Basically if the mood fancies him, Yonosuke is ready for some action.
This being the 17th century however, Yonosuke does this with discretion and style befitting his rank and for at least until his wealthy parents cut him off, wads of cash.
It’s easy at first glance to kind of write off Yonosuke as a bit of a jerk. A kind of hedonist with no real moral compass other than living in the moment. He gets women to leave their husbands, gets bored with them, and abandons them. He rescues women who have been imprisoned for not being dutiful to their husbands, but when people come for her looking for retribution he saves his own skin and runs away.
So….gallant in a way, but not really at all in a more fundamental way.
Yonosuke is so good at being a scoundrel though that you almost come to like him. For all his successes with the ladies he also takes his fair share of physical abuse from jealous men and hardships along the way.
Also quite interesting is how empowered some of the women, ranging in prestige from the lowest prostitutes to the highest courtesans, are. While the stereotypical despondent women spurned by men are here, more than a few women thwart Yonosuke’s advances with superior wits and a flair that even he grudgingly respects.
Even setting aside the interesting and at times complex gender dynamics here, considering how Yonosuke’s lifestyle dictates that he’s constantly on the move, this story is at heart, simply a fun travelogue around a variety of locals in 17th century Japan.
It’s a novel and an ethos that can best perhaps be summed up by Yonosuke himself:
"Tomorrow will be tomorrow, so why not spend the evening here as if this were my last night upon earth?"
August 16, 2012
Our hero's mostly straight, but the first time he has sex it is with a handsome young actor who has just returned from Kochi Prefecture!
The amorous man subsequently spent a lot of time on the road and I kept hoping he'd visit Kochi. But he didn't. Zannen!
Here's that quote about wolves and cherry blossoms that's always popping up in my Mishima reading:
"Dallying with these youths is like seeing wolves asleep beneath scattering cherry blossoms, whereas going to bed with prostitutes gives one the feeling of groping in the dark beneath the new moon without a lantern."
Nice:
"The prostitute suddenly pushed her buttocks from underneath the bedcovers. As Yonosuke stared at this in wonderment, she let loose a volley of smelly gas in an explosion that seemed to reverberate to the four corners of the room."
The amorous man subsequently spent a lot of time on the road and I kept hoping he'd visit Kochi. But he didn't. Zannen!
Here's that quote about wolves and cherry blossoms that's always popping up in my Mishima reading:
"Dallying with these youths is like seeing wolves asleep beneath scattering cherry blossoms, whereas going to bed with prostitutes gives one the feeling of groping in the dark beneath the new moon without a lantern."
Nice:
"The prostitute suddenly pushed her buttocks from underneath the bedcovers. As Yonosuke stared at this in wonderment, she let loose a volley of smelly gas in an explosion that seemed to reverberate to the four corners of the room."
October 7, 2009
Dig it: a Kerouac from 17th century Japan. Dig the dodgy tea houses, the amorous women, the reprobate lifestyle that coaxes you from the discipline of Buddhism. Dig the liaisons with male prostitutes.
Great read. Wish that English speaking writers from that period wrote with that level of candor.
Great read. Wish that English speaking writers from that period wrote with that level of candor.
March 20, 2009
Ihara Saikaku's timeless masterpiece,The Life of an Amorous Man, is the story of Yonosuke, a man of ambition and vision. It is a vivacious and humorous work, but not without solemnity and meaning. The greatness of Saikaku is that he impresses without being didactic and illuminates without being heavy-handed.
Yonosuke, a man of immense wealth and priviledge status, pursues a carefree life of sensual pleasure usually reserved for kings, emperors and tyrants. He sets forth on a journey that takes him across Japan and spans his entire life, seeking and seducing women - mainly geishas practicing their discrete art in the gay districts. But along the way, through the vicissitude of the years, he begins to discover things about himself, others and society in general - the follies of man. Yonosuke's final act is a fitting end to a life of indulgence and learning.
This novel is a comical portrayal of one man's life - but everyman's dream - that speaks loudly about libidinous desire. However, this is only a minor theme; the major theme and of greater import is that wisdom and compassion follow-on experience, at least for those who take a moment to reflect.
Yonosuke, a man of immense wealth and priviledge status, pursues a carefree life of sensual pleasure usually reserved for kings, emperors and tyrants. He sets forth on a journey that takes him across Japan and spans his entire life, seeking and seducing women - mainly geishas practicing their discrete art in the gay districts. But along the way, through the vicissitude of the years, he begins to discover things about himself, others and society in general - the follies of man. Yonosuke's final act is a fitting end to a life of indulgence and learning.
This novel is a comical portrayal of one man's life - but everyman's dream - that speaks loudly about libidinous desire. However, this is only a minor theme; the major theme and of greater import is that wisdom and compassion follow-on experience, at least for those who take a moment to reflect.
March 12, 2021
I recognise this is a historically and contextually important work. I made it to page 50 and that gave me a pretty good idea of it. I'm glad I read this far, but it turns out I just don't care enough to finish it.
(Same vibes at The Tale of Genji but more readable, at least.)
(Same vibes at The Tale of Genji but more readable, at least.)
June 18, 2022
3.5
Later edit.
On second thought, that rating was way too much.
1.5/2 at most since my enjoyment lasted for only 5-6 pages during the least se*ist parts. Unsurprisingly, this is a very misogynistic story full of moments that, in terms of politically corectedness, would've been red flags. At one point, it became extremely tiring to read about the '' man of the world'', Yonosuke, and how he conquered women (and men sometimes) or his utmost arrogance when he failed. I do appreciate some parts of the writing, albeit in English, it was quite sensible and expressive, and I can appreciate the literature, its cultural and historical context, but the story was simply not for me.
Later edit.
On second thought, that rating was way too much.
1.5/2 at most since my enjoyment lasted for only 5-6 pages during the least se*ist parts. Unsurprisingly, this is a very misogynistic story full of moments that, in terms of politically corectedness, would've been red flags. At one point, it became extremely tiring to read about the '' man of the world'', Yonosuke, and how he conquered women (and men sometimes) or his utmost arrogance when he failed. I do appreciate some parts of the writing, albeit in English, it was quite sensible and expressive, and I can appreciate the literature, its cultural and historical context, but the story was simply not for me.
August 6, 2025
De verdad esperaba que este libro me gustara, pero desafortunadamente me pareció insulso y vacío. A lo largo de la novela, somos testigos de cómo Yonosuke pasa su vida entera yendo de burdel en burdel, y aunque hay algunos datos culturales interesantes, no hay nada que realmente motive la lectura. Al final, todo se siente monótono. Quisiera darle otra oportunidad al autor con otra obra, pero creo que necesito dejar pasar un buen tiempo antes de decidirme.
May 11, 2020
It could be argued that Ihara's prose had the impact on Japanese writing that Dante's had on Italian. For over 100 years after his time, all other Japanese writers just wanted to copy Ihara. Only instead of exploring Hell, this is the story of the horniest little bastard to ever live! The chapters are very episodic, but one of my favorites was called "Etiquette be Damned". Our hero Yonosuke is 11 years old and visits a brothel. It's a dirty place and the ladies are very rude, but he doesn't want to get up and just leave abruptly because then he would be the rude one. This comedy of manners continues until one of the ladies accuses him of being kind and generous. Then he dashes out because he thinks she's a gold digger! I guess he was expecting a prostitute who didn't want money? Yonosuke has many bizarre adventures and sleeps with almost 1,000 girls and guys in 200 pages. What a pimp!
did-not-finish
September 11, 2021Si busqueu literatura eròtica, aquest llibre no ho és. És una col·lecció d'anècdotes del protagonista, una anècdota per any, des del 7 fins al 60 anys. Sí, les anècdotes tenen una mica de connotació sexual, es deixa entreveure activitat, però poc més.
Ha pogut amb mi, i gran part de la culpa és de l'edició.
L'edició de Satori (la primera edició a l'editorial, com a mínim) té tres tipus de notes: al peu de pàgina, notes per a cada capítol ("notes culturals") i glossari. A vegades, notes al peu de pàgina et redirigeixen a les culturals, o a les del glossari. Tampoc acabo d'entendre quina diferència hi ha entre cada tipus de nota. Per marcar les notes de peu de pàgina es fan servir números. Per a les del glossari, lletra en cursiva. Per a les culturals, un asterisc. Tot plegat se'm fa molt difícil de seguir, que em poso molt nerviós quan veig una marca de nota i no la consulto. Massa saltar endavant i endarrera per obtenir una mica més de context. M'ha semblat absurdament confós.
A part d'això, tampoc és l'obra més trepidant, que diguem. No té cap trama, són anècdotes aïllades. Tampoc m'han semblat anècdotes gaire interessants, en general.
Entenc el valor de la traducció, explicada en un pròleg extens. No ha hagut de ser fàci traduir això. Però amb 230 pàgines llegides i a falta de 120 pàgines per arribar a les notes culturals, no puc més.
Ha pogut amb mi, i gran part de la culpa és de l'edició.
L'edició de Satori (la primera edició a l'editorial, com a mínim) té tres tipus de notes: al peu de pàgina, notes per a cada capítol ("notes culturals") i glossari. A vegades, notes al peu de pàgina et redirigeixen a les culturals, o a les del glossari. Tampoc acabo d'entendre quina diferència hi ha entre cada tipus de nota. Per marcar les notes de peu de pàgina es fan servir números. Per a les del glossari, lletra en cursiva. Per a les culturals, un asterisc. Tot plegat se'm fa molt difícil de seguir, que em poso molt nerviós quan veig una marca de nota i no la consulto. Massa saltar endavant i endarrera per obtenir una mica més de context. M'ha semblat absurdament confós.
A part d'això, tampoc és l'obra més trepidant, que diguem. No té cap trama, són anècdotes aïllades. Tampoc m'han semblat anècdotes gaire interessants, en general.
Entenc el valor de la traducció, explicada en un pròleg extens. No ha hagut de ser fàci traduir això. Però amb 230 pàgines llegides i a falta de 120 pàgines per arribar a les notes culturals, no puc més.
December 9, 2020
Il libro racconta gli aneddoti amorosi di Yonosuke, protagonista dell'opera che incarna la figura del ricco borghese al tempo dei Tokugawa, alla ricerca del piacere frivolo nei vari quartieri di piacere che caratterizzavano il Giappone del tempo.
L'intera opera realizzata da Saikaku offre uno spaccato della società del tempo (1600, regno Tokugawa) in cui la classe sociale più bassa era rappresentata dai chonin, nonché i mercanti, i quali potevano aspirare a "prevalere" sulle altre classi sociali solo all'interno dei luoghi di piacere in cui le principali doti che venivano richieste non erano altro che prestazioni fisiche e grandi ricchezze. Nell'opera sono trattati temi quali la ricerca del piacere sessuale e la bramosia di denaro che non incontravano affatto i princìpi etici dettati dal confucianesimo e dall'ideologia Buddhista della società del tempo. Questa presa di posizione da parte dell'autore nello scrivere di queste tematiche in un'opera aperta a tutti, infatti, non fa altro che presentare l'intero romanzo come una sorta di via di fuga dalle rigide concezioni confuciane e buddhiste che dovevano essere rispettate all'interno della società.
Nonostante, come già detto, l'opera faccia riferimento ad una determinata realtà appartenuta ad un particolare contesto storico, alcuni appunti sul contesto storico stesso, sull'autore e sul suo stile di scrittura posti a fine libro, possono rivelarsi molto utili per una più facile comprensione dell'intera opera, soprattutto per chi si approccia solo adesso, o si è avvicinato da poco, allo studio della storia e della cultura giapponese o anche alla semplice lettura di questo libro.
Tre stelline poiché, a volte, la lettura del romanzo risulta essere piuttosto difficoltosa, ma questo a causa dello stile di scrittura dell'autore stesso che alterna frasi molto sintetiche a periodi piuttosto lunghi, a volte sconnessi tra loro.
L'intera opera realizzata da Saikaku offre uno spaccato della società del tempo (1600, regno Tokugawa) in cui la classe sociale più bassa era rappresentata dai chonin, nonché i mercanti, i quali potevano aspirare a "prevalere" sulle altre classi sociali solo all'interno dei luoghi di piacere in cui le principali doti che venivano richieste non erano altro che prestazioni fisiche e grandi ricchezze. Nell'opera sono trattati temi quali la ricerca del piacere sessuale e la bramosia di denaro che non incontravano affatto i princìpi etici dettati dal confucianesimo e dall'ideologia Buddhista della società del tempo. Questa presa di posizione da parte dell'autore nello scrivere di queste tematiche in un'opera aperta a tutti, infatti, non fa altro che presentare l'intero romanzo come una sorta di via di fuga dalle rigide concezioni confuciane e buddhiste che dovevano essere rispettate all'interno della società.
Nonostante, come già detto, l'opera faccia riferimento ad una determinata realtà appartenuta ad un particolare contesto storico, alcuni appunti sul contesto storico stesso, sull'autore e sul suo stile di scrittura posti a fine libro, possono rivelarsi molto utili per una più facile comprensione dell'intera opera, soprattutto per chi si approccia solo adesso, o si è avvicinato da poco, allo studio della storia e della cultura giapponese o anche alla semplice lettura di questo libro.
Tre stelline poiché, a volte, la lettura del romanzo risulta essere piuttosto difficoltosa, ma questo a causa dello stile di scrittura dell'autore stesso che alterna frasi molto sintetiche a periodi piuttosto lunghi, a volte sconnessi tra loro.
August 5, 2014
Si decimos que esta es una de las obras cumbres de la literatura japonesa, entonces estamos diciendo que es una de las obras maestras de la literatura universal. La historia de Yonosuke, volcado completamente en este mundo flotante en el amor de las cortesanas,d e las prostitutas, que formaban un status muy concreto en el Japón del siglo XVII. Vivimos con sus aventuras la distinción de estos personajes en Kyoto, Edo, Osaka... y la sed insaciable de Yonosuke por tener otra mujer más entre sus brazos.
Tenemos la gran suerte de tener dos versiones magistrales de esta novela, la de Fernando Rodríguez Izquierdo, Amotes de un vividor, dotada de una gran fuerza nostálgica y dotada de una gran delicadeza, y la de antonio Cabezas, magnífica recreación del lenguaje alambicado de Saikaku, en la que Ionosuke es un hombre lascivo y sin linaje, emperrado en un vicio al que se inclina una y otra vez de forma contumaz. Dos visiones diferentes del mismo texto, su imprescindible lectura conjunta nos acerca a alcanzar una idea de lo que dee ser el original en japonés antiguo de Saikaku.
Tenemos la gran suerte de tener dos versiones magistrales de esta novela, la de Fernando Rodríguez Izquierdo, Amotes de un vividor, dotada de una gran fuerza nostálgica y dotada de una gran delicadeza, y la de antonio Cabezas, magnífica recreación del lenguaje alambicado de Saikaku, en la que Ionosuke es un hombre lascivo y sin linaje, emperrado en un vicio al que se inclina una y otra vez de forma contumaz. Dos visiones diferentes del mismo texto, su imprescindible lectura conjunta nos acerca a alcanzar una idea de lo que dee ser el original en japonés antiguo de Saikaku.
June 2, 2015
Saikaku is well known for his then-risque portrayals of the ukiyo - the floating world - of shogunal Japan. This particular book follows the life of a lustful merchant named Yonosuke, "man of the world." It is filled with harlots, courtesans, destitutes and the rich. Like most classical Japanese literature, it only alludes to liasons, discarding explicit phrasing for what the mind must produce. Despite this rather sore (to modern views) lack of scintillating sex, it's still an enjoyable read.
September 1, 2022
Quien se tope con este libro en una librería no ha de dejarse engañar por las apariencias, esta obra de Ihara no es un compendio de desenfreno sexual sino que más bien, una recopilación de las costumbres de la vida alegre japonesa, acompañada de amplísima información (gracias a los traductores y el trabajo de Satori) sobre el Japón del siglo XVII. Una ventana hedonista al Japón que fue y ya no es.
January 25, 2022
Raamat pole eesti keeles ilmunud, pealkiri võiks olla "Armunud mehe elu".
Täiesti juhuslikult sattus see raamat mulle pihku, kuna Raamatuvahetusest oli võimalik haarata tellitud raamatule veel lisaks kaasa midagi muud. Ning tuli siis saatja soovitusel Ihara Saikaku raamat; kusjuures ma ei saanudki algul aru, mis ta nimi on, mõnes kohas on kirjas Saikaku Ihara, ka raamatus on kaanel ühtepidi, paar lehekülge edasi teistipidi, autorit tutvustavas tekstis jälle nii, nagu kaanel. Aga siis selgus Wikist, et Ihara ongi jah perenimi.
Ihara Saikaku elas aastatel 1642 - 1693, raamat ilmus esmakordselt 1682. Kirjutas nii proosat kui luulet, luulet Ihara Kakuei varjunime all.
Minu eksemplar on juba kolmeteistkümnes trükk. Kõnealust raamatut peetakse žanri nimega Ukiyo-zōshi (浮世草子, "books of the floating world", "hõljuva maailma raamatud") avateoseks. Nagu ma olen aru saanud, siis see peaks olema teatud tüüpi realism, mis räägib just elu lihalisest nautimisest. Ukiyozōshi oli alguses üldsuse jaoks, eriti kõrgkirjanduse vaatenurgast, kergem ning lihtsam kirjandus, osaliselt ka seetõttu, et tolleks ajaks oli raamatute kirjastamine juba Jaapanis olemas ning taheti hakata ka raha teenima. Seega sellised erootilise alatooniga lood sobisid hästi. Samal ajal mitmed ukiyozōshi tööd olid tegelikult märksa tõsisemad, eriti just Saikaku looming, kus tegelastest on rohkem süvitsi juttu ning keelekasutus ja tehniline pool on keerukamad. Võib vist isegi ütelda, et ukiyozōshi on naturalismi poole kaldu, kuna rõhk on objektiivsusel, vähe on sentimentaalsust, loo käsitlus on küüniline ning tegelaste elutee lõpp kipub olema traagiline.
Ihara räägib siin raamatus Yonosuke elust, kattes ta elu poisipõlvest kuueaastasena kuni kuuekümnenda eluaastani. Eks ta juhtumised on jah sugulise läbikäimisega seotud, aga need on kõik hästi malbed. Umbes kuidas Yonosuke satub lõbumajja ning siis vestleb tükk aega lõbutüdrukuga, saab teada, et too on rahapuuduses sinna jõudnud. Seejärel Yonosuke otsib lõbutüdruku isa üles ja räägib talle olukorrast. Või kuidas ühel hetkel hiljem me peategelane taas lõbusas majas aega viidab, tavaline vestlus saab otsa ja järgmises lauses on juttu, kuidas üheksa kuud hiljem "teenindajal" laps sünnib. Väljend "make love" ("armatsema") kohtasin ma raamatus esimest ning vist viimast korda alles umbes sajandal leheküljel.
Yonosuke ei ole valiv, ta teel on nii mehi kui naisi. Ega siin otseselt ei saagi aru, et kes või mis teda tõmbab, ma ei ütleks isegi, et ta on biseksuaalne, kohati tekib üldse küsimus, kas ta muust ei mõtlegi, või siis käitub muudel ajenditel ning seksuaalsus on n-ö kõrvalnähtus. Eks me Nipernaadi hakkab ka ise ühel hetkel mõtisklema, et mis see elu mõte nüüd tal ongi? Sest mingil hetkel hüljatakse ta pere poolt, siis on ühel hetkel ta lausa munk, mingil hetkel saab rikkaks läbi päranduse. Läbivaks teemaks on aga erinevate lõbusate majade külastamine, teejoomine, kurtisaanid ning gayde elamuraajoonides lõbusalt aja veetmine.
Keeleliselt oli raamat mu jaoks raske, mitmed sõnad olid harvaesinevad, osasid polnud olemaski, küll aga õnnestus Google abiga mõttest aru saada. Lisaks toimus tegevus siiski 17. sajandil, seega kui kaasaegseid raamatuid lugedes ei mõtle sellele, milline on elu-olu, siis siinses raamatus oli kirja kirjutamine hoopis midagi muud kui on tänapäeval. Või kui keegi läks maja juurde ja avas ukse - jällegi oli see hoopis midagi muud, kui praegu ette kujutaks.
Mida edasi ma raamatu lugemisega jõudsin, seda rohkem hakkas mulle tunduma, et see raamat pole tegelikult üldse seksuaalsusest. Rohkem on 17. sajandi Jaapani olustikust ning mõttemaailmast.
Raamatus on Masakazu Kuwata lahedad illustratsioonid, lisan mõne pildi ka näiteks. Kui ühe pildi peal on selgelt jaapani mees, siis teine vajab elavamat ettekujutusvõimet. Võin vihjeks ütelda, et seal on kaks inimest - aga kas oskate ütelda, mis pildil täpsemalt toimub?
Kahtlustan, et raamatus läksid mul mitmed detailid kaotsi. Ütles juba tõlkija, et kohati pidi ta loominguliselt lähenema, et oma ajastu pitsriga teksti tänapäeva lugejale arusaadavaks teha. Lisaks siis tõlge, mis oli kohati... veider. Rääkimata loost endast ning mõnevõrra võõrast kultuurist ja ajajärgust. Seega kokkuvõtvalt - ma nautisin raamatut, oli tore ja huvitav, kuid minusugune profaan ei tabanud kindlasti kõiki põnevaid nüansse ja allhoovuseid. Ei kahetse lugemist, aga ega ilmselt seda rohkem kunagi ei loe ka.
Täiesti juhuslikult sattus see raamat mulle pihku, kuna Raamatuvahetusest oli võimalik haarata tellitud raamatule veel lisaks kaasa midagi muud. Ning tuli siis saatja soovitusel Ihara Saikaku raamat; kusjuures ma ei saanudki algul aru, mis ta nimi on, mõnes kohas on kirjas Saikaku Ihara, ka raamatus on kaanel ühtepidi, paar lehekülge edasi teistipidi, autorit tutvustavas tekstis jälle nii, nagu kaanel. Aga siis selgus Wikist, et Ihara ongi jah perenimi.
Ihara Saikaku elas aastatel 1642 - 1693, raamat ilmus esmakordselt 1682. Kirjutas nii proosat kui luulet, luulet Ihara Kakuei varjunime all.
Minu eksemplar on juba kolmeteistkümnes trükk. Kõnealust raamatut peetakse žanri nimega Ukiyo-zōshi (浮世草子, "books of the floating world", "hõljuva maailma raamatud") avateoseks. Nagu ma olen aru saanud, siis see peaks olema teatud tüüpi realism, mis räägib just elu lihalisest nautimisest. Ukiyozōshi oli alguses üldsuse jaoks, eriti kõrgkirjanduse vaatenurgast, kergem ning lihtsam kirjandus, osaliselt ka seetõttu, et tolleks ajaks oli raamatute kirjastamine juba Jaapanis olemas ning taheti hakata ka raha teenima. Seega sellised erootilise alatooniga lood sobisid hästi. Samal ajal mitmed ukiyozōshi tööd olid tegelikult märksa tõsisemad, eriti just Saikaku looming, kus tegelastest on rohkem süvitsi juttu ning keelekasutus ja tehniline pool on keerukamad. Võib vist isegi ütelda, et ukiyozōshi on naturalismi poole kaldu, kuna rõhk on objektiivsusel, vähe on sentimentaalsust, loo käsitlus on küüniline ning tegelaste elutee lõpp kipub olema traagiline.
Ihara räägib siin raamatus Yonosuke elust, kattes ta elu poisipõlvest kuueaastasena kuni kuuekümnenda eluaastani. Eks ta juhtumised on jah sugulise läbikäimisega seotud, aga need on kõik hästi malbed. Umbes kuidas Yonosuke satub lõbumajja ning siis vestleb tükk aega lõbutüdrukuga, saab teada, et too on rahapuuduses sinna jõudnud. Seejärel Yonosuke otsib lõbutüdruku isa üles ja räägib talle olukorrast. Või kuidas ühel hetkel hiljem me peategelane taas lõbusas majas aega viidab, tavaline vestlus saab otsa ja järgmises lauses on juttu, kuidas üheksa kuud hiljem "teenindajal" laps sünnib. Väljend "make love" ("armatsema") kohtasin ma raamatus esimest ning vist viimast korda alles umbes sajandal leheküljel.
Yonosuke ei ole valiv, ta teel on nii mehi kui naisi. Ega siin otseselt ei saagi aru, et kes või mis teda tõmbab, ma ei ütleks isegi, et ta on biseksuaalne, kohati tekib üldse küsimus, kas ta muust ei mõtlegi, või siis käitub muudel ajenditel ning seksuaalsus on n-ö kõrvalnähtus. Eks me Nipernaadi hakkab ka ise ühel hetkel mõtisklema, et mis see elu mõte nüüd tal ongi? Sest mingil hetkel hüljatakse ta pere poolt, siis on ühel hetkel ta lausa munk, mingil hetkel saab rikkaks läbi päranduse. Läbivaks teemaks on aga erinevate lõbusate majade külastamine, teejoomine, kurtisaanid ning gayde elamuraajoonides lõbusalt aja veetmine.
Keeleliselt oli raamat mu jaoks raske, mitmed sõnad olid harvaesinevad, osasid polnud olemaski, küll aga õnnestus Google abiga mõttest aru saada. Lisaks toimus tegevus siiski 17. sajandil, seega kui kaasaegseid raamatuid lugedes ei mõtle sellele, milline on elu-olu, siis siinses raamatus oli kirja kirjutamine hoopis midagi muud kui on tänapäeval. Või kui keegi läks maja juurde ja avas ukse - jällegi oli see hoopis midagi muud, kui praegu ette kujutaks.
Mida edasi ma raamatu lugemisega jõudsin, seda rohkem hakkas mulle tunduma, et see raamat pole tegelikult üldse seksuaalsusest. Rohkem on 17. sajandi Jaapani olustikust ning mõttemaailmast.
Raamatus on Masakazu Kuwata lahedad illustratsioonid, lisan mõne pildi ka näiteks. Kui ühe pildi peal on selgelt jaapani mees, siis teine vajab elavamat ettekujutusvõimet. Võin vihjeks ütelda, et seal on kaks inimest - aga kas oskate ütelda, mis pildil täpsemalt toimub?
Kahtlustan, et raamatus läksid mul mitmed detailid kaotsi. Ütles juba tõlkija, et kohati pidi ta loominguliselt lähenema, et oma ajastu pitsriga teksti tänapäeva lugejale arusaadavaks teha. Lisaks siis tõlge, mis oli kohati... veider. Rääkimata loost endast ning mõnevõrra võõrast kultuurist ja ajajärgust. Seega kokkuvõtvalt - ma nautisin raamatut, oli tore ja huvitav, kuid minusugune profaan ei tabanud kindlasti kõiki põnevaid nüansse ja allhoovuseid. Ei kahetse lugemist, aga ega ilmselt seda rohkem kunagi ei loe ka.
January 25, 2024
Ihara Saikaku’s The Life of an Amorous Man
Whenever I read an old book, I try to transport myself back to the times in which the author wrote it, in this case, 1682 (translated by Kengi Hamada in 1963). If I fail to give the author this courtesy, I might judge him or her to modern standards, which isn’t helpful. Everything has it’s time.
This book by Saikaku Ihara is about the love pursuits of a man named Yonosuke, a merchant’s son who travels around the country breaking women’s hearts. In the vain of the Shining Prince in The Tales of Genji, the scenes are not steamy nor sordid and hardly ever mention the actual act of sex. Instead Saikaku gives us a novel that is a satire on life during the Edo period, with it’s “courtesans” who write love letters, poems and prance around in flowery, flashy kimonos. They entertain Yonosuke at “tea houses” by singing joururi ballads, and playing games. He attends a new ceremony for a young courtesan. Several pledge their love to him, although not all of them are serious. In turn, Yonosuke shares his wealth when he has it, genuinely loves them, and even buys a couple of them out of bondage. He bumbles about the Yoshiwara district, and grows old doing so, never regretting the indulgent life he has lived.
It’s a interesting window into the Edo period and Saikaku writes beautifully about it, taking the time to describe with brilliance the clothes and mannerisms of the Edo period. He also peppers his prose with references to common literature of the time, such as poems and sights made famous by poet Saigyo, and scenes from some Noh plays, such as the story of the angel’s feathered robe.
I found the book fascinating.
Whenever I read an old book, I try to transport myself back to the times in which the author wrote it, in this case, 1682 (translated by Kengi Hamada in 1963). If I fail to give the author this courtesy, I might judge him or her to modern standards, which isn’t helpful. Everything has it’s time.
This book by Saikaku Ihara is about the love pursuits of a man named Yonosuke, a merchant’s son who travels around the country breaking women’s hearts. In the vain of the Shining Prince in The Tales of Genji, the scenes are not steamy nor sordid and hardly ever mention the actual act of sex. Instead Saikaku gives us a novel that is a satire on life during the Edo period, with it’s “courtesans” who write love letters, poems and prance around in flowery, flashy kimonos. They entertain Yonosuke at “tea houses” by singing joururi ballads, and playing games. He attends a new ceremony for a young courtesan. Several pledge their love to him, although not all of them are serious. In turn, Yonosuke shares his wealth when he has it, genuinely loves them, and even buys a couple of them out of bondage. He bumbles about the Yoshiwara district, and grows old doing so, never regretting the indulgent life he has lived.
It’s a interesting window into the Edo period and Saikaku writes beautifully about it, taking the time to describe with brilliance the clothes and mannerisms of the Edo period. He also peppers his prose with references to common literature of the time, such as poems and sights made famous by poet Saigyo, and scenes from some Noh plays, such as the story of the angel’s feathered robe.
I found the book fascinating.
November 15, 2021
Más vale que ya he leído bastante literatura japonesa como para aminirar el choqie cultural. Aún así, está obra clásica (creo que del s.XVII) de Japón puede llegar a ser muy chocante para intentar entenderlo desde la óptica social cristianoeuropea.
Las andanzas de este précoz Marqués de Sade rural nos da una visión curiosa de una época histórica del Japón más ecléptico que, para quien le guste profundizar ya sea en esas visiones alternativas o en la evolución hedonista de una persona ociosa, este libro le será grato (si es que ya ha leído algo de literagura japonesa, y a ser posible que tenga que ver con el tema como Vida de una mujer galante [del mismo autor] o Genji no monogatari/Historia de Genji).
Las andanzas de este précoz Marqués de Sade rural nos da una visión curiosa de una época histórica del Japón más ecléptico que, para quien le guste profundizar ya sea en esas visiones alternativas o en la evolución hedonista de una persona ociosa, este libro le será grato (si es que ya ha leído algo de literagura japonesa, y a ser posible que tenga que ver con el tema como Vida de una mujer galante [del mismo autor] o Genji no monogatari/Historia de Genji).
June 22, 2018
Although I realize that having lived in an entirely alien culture and time frame, this book seemed to me both boring and distasteful. I read it because someone I respect said it was a great classic. Well, not to me. Even if I did understand all the subtle allusions to the phases of the moon and the day of the month, the main character would still be a shallow, self-involved creature without real interest in other human beings.
May 11, 2020
The book might not be enjoyed by everybody, but if you are interested in Old Japan, the life of courtesans, and the "nouveaux-rich" of Japan in the 17th century, you will have something to learn from Saikaku Ihara. Beside that, though fictional, it shows the prevalence of prostitution, "pleasure houses", and how an entire economic system was build around women in Edo.
August 26, 2021
The translation is well written, with the main faults being the lack of cohesion between each tale and poor overall development of characters which were common to texts of the time. The books greatest value is not so much in the story, but in its portrayal of life in the early Tokugawa years. It would have been useful to have footnotes a la Morris's translation of An Amorous Woman.
March 1, 2022
No es un libro tan sencillo de leer porque tiene demasiadas notas de traducción y hay que estar saltando a las mismas para comprender las situaciones que describe el autor.
Es bastante explicativo, es un diario que básicamente narra las experiencias sexuales del implicado y cómo se desenvuelven en la época.
Es bastante explicativo, es un diario que básicamente narra las experiencias sexuales del implicado y cómo se desenvuelven en la época.
August 26, 2022
Cruel et drôle ce journal d’une geisha fourmille d’anecdotes mais surtout d’instantanés de la vie d’Osaka au XVII. Un regard passionnant sur les mœurs, goûts et mode d’un Japon qui dévient si proche malgré les spécificités. Fascinant 👏
August 21, 2021
It is a very beautiful and engaging piece of literature. after finishing it we will be in a state of peace and forlorn feeling.
June 7, 2024
E anche qui vale lo stesso discorso di Vita di una Donna Licenziosa. Bella la storia, molto ricche le note ma veramente scomode da leggere
October 19, 2024
I would give it a 1.5 stars
The story is completely detestable and the only time I felt sympathy towards the main character was when he was acknowledging the fact that he deserved to die...
The story is completely detestable and the only time I felt sympathy towards the main character was when he was acknowledging the fact that he deserved to die...
February 28, 2014
I'm conflicted about this book. On one hand, it's an excellent resource on Japanese courtesan culture, as long as you remember it's heavily fictionalized. On the other hand...
On the other hand, the "hero," Yonosuke, is a jerk. He's a spoiled, whiny man-baby who tours Japan destroying women's lives. He has a storeroom full of tokens from hundreds upon hundreds of women--love letters, pledges written in blood, fingernails the women tore out as a sign of their fidelity when he lost interest in them, even souvenirs of women who killed themselves because of him. Every so often he reflects upon someone he hurt... and then he shrugs and moves on to the next woman.
Even before his pattern becomes clear, he's unpleasant to read about. The first half of the book, which covers his life before he's rich enough to afford top-quality courtesans, is an endless stream of bitching about cheap accommodations and tacky, classless women who just aren't good enough for exquisite Yonosuke's exquisite self. Once he gets money he sometimes has something nice to say about women--there are accounts of a New Year's party and a private kabuki performance that are more than worth the wait--but he still keeps a whine handy just in case things aren't up to snuff. The narration describes him as irresistible, but he comes off as the kind of guy who in real life would spend a lot of money on asshole taxes.
If you can deal with that, it's an interesting read. There's always something new happening, some new part of the world opening up to the reader. The author was a habitue of the pleasure quarters, so he knew what he was talking about, and it shows. Yonosuke's life story isn't really the point of the book. The author wants to show you around the pleasure quarters, from the finest brothels to the meanest dockside bars, and Yonosuke is just your tour guide.
That's the perspective from which I could give this book four stars. If you're looking for insight into the culture, I think you'll like this book. If you're just looking for a ripping good read, move on. Try The Life of an Amorous Woman instead--same author, same setting, and a more sympathetic main character.
On the other hand, the "hero," Yonosuke, is a jerk. He's a spoiled, whiny man-baby who tours Japan destroying women's lives. He has a storeroom full of tokens from hundreds upon hundreds of women--love letters, pledges written in blood, fingernails the women tore out as a sign of their fidelity when he lost interest in them, even souvenirs of women who killed themselves because of him. Every so often he reflects upon someone he hurt... and then he shrugs and moves on to the next woman.
Even before his pattern becomes clear, he's unpleasant to read about. The first half of the book, which covers his life before he's rich enough to afford top-quality courtesans, is an endless stream of bitching about cheap accommodations and tacky, classless women who just aren't good enough for exquisite Yonosuke's exquisite self. Once he gets money he sometimes has something nice to say about women--there are accounts of a New Year's party and a private kabuki performance that are more than worth the wait--but he still keeps a whine handy just in case things aren't up to snuff. The narration describes him as irresistible, but he comes off as the kind of guy who in real life would spend a lot of money on asshole taxes.
If you can deal with that, it's an interesting read. There's always something new happening, some new part of the world opening up to the reader. The author was a habitue of the pleasure quarters, so he knew what he was talking about, and it shows. Yonosuke's life story isn't really the point of the book. The author wants to show you around the pleasure quarters, from the finest brothels to the meanest dockside bars, and Yonosuke is just your tour guide.
That's the perspective from which I could give this book four stars. If you're looking for insight into the culture, I think you'll like this book. If you're just looking for a ripping good read, move on. Try The Life of an Amorous Woman instead--same author, same setting, and a more sympathetic main character.
August 5, 2014
Si decimos que esta es una de las obras cumbres de la literatura japonesa, entonces estamos diciendo que es una de las obras maestras de la literatura universal. La historia de Yonosuke, volcado completamente en este mundo flotante en el amor de las cortesanas,d e las prostitutas, que formaban un status muy concreto en el Japón del siglo XVII. Vivimos con sus aventuras la distinción de estos personajes en Kyoto, Edo, Osaka... y la sed insaciable de Yonosuke por tener otra mujer más entre sus brazos.
Tenemos la gran suerte de tener dos versiones magistrales de esta novela, la de Fernando Rodríguez Izquierdo, Amotes de un vividor, dotada de una gran fuerza nostálgica y dotada de una gran delicadeza, y la de antonio Cabezas, magnífica recreación del lenguaje alambicado de Saikaku, en la que Ionosuke es un hombre lascivo y sin linaje, emperrado en un vicio al que se inclina una y otra vez de forma contumaz. Dos visiones diferentes del mismo texto, su imprescindible lectura conjunta nos acerca a alcanzar una idea de lo que dee ser el original en japonés antiguo de Saikaku.
Tenemos la gran suerte de tener dos versiones magistrales de esta novela, la de Fernando Rodríguez Izquierdo, Amotes de un vividor, dotada de una gran fuerza nostálgica y dotada de una gran delicadeza, y la de antonio Cabezas, magnífica recreación del lenguaje alambicado de Saikaku, en la que Ionosuke es un hombre lascivo y sin linaje, emperrado en un vicio al que se inclina una y otra vez de forma contumaz. Dos visiones diferentes del mismo texto, su imprescindible lectura conjunta nos acerca a alcanzar una idea de lo que dee ser el original en japonés antiguo de Saikaku.
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