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Written on the Sky: Poems from the Japanese
I go out of the darkness
Onto a road of darkness
Lit only by the far off
Moon on the edge of the mountains.
—Izumi Shikobu
Over the years, thousands of readers have discovered the beauty of classic Japanese poetry through the superb English versions by the great American poet Kenneth Rexroth. Mostly haiku, these poems range from the classical and medieval to modern poetry, with an emphasis on folk songs and love lyrics. Because women played such an outstanding role in Japanese literature, included here are selections from their work, including the contemporary, deeply sensuous Marichiko. This elegant, beautifully designed gift book of poems spanning many centuries presents the original texts in romanji, the transliteration into the Western alphabet.
Onto a road of darkness
Lit only by the far off
Moon on the edge of the mountains.
—Izumi Shikobu
Over the years, thousands of readers have discovered the beauty of classic Japanese poetry through the superb English versions by the great American poet Kenneth Rexroth. Mostly haiku, these poems range from the classical and medieval to modern poetry, with an emphasis on folk songs and love lyrics. Because women played such an outstanding role in Japanese literature, included here are selections from their work, including the contemporary, deeply sensuous Marichiko. This elegant, beautifully designed gift book of poems spanning many centuries presents the original texts in romanji, the transliteration into the Western alphabet.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Kenneth Rexroth
206 books113 followersKenneth 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 21, 2018
The mists rise over
The still pools at Asuka.
Memory does not
Pass away so easily.
The still pools at Asuka.
Memory does not
Pass away so easily.
March 17, 2012
Small flower, small heart, small stream, small iris, small tragedy, small midpoint, small sound, small rain, small mountain, small smoke, small tree cut low.
March 19, 2026
“I may live on until
I long for this time
In which I am so unhappy
And remember it fondly”
I long for this time
In which I am so unhappy
And remember it fondly”
December 31, 2020
"We are, you and me,
Like two pine needles
Which will dry and fall
But never separate."
-- Anonymous
"Following the roads
Of dream to you, my feet
Never rest. But one glimpse of you
In reality would be
Worth all these many nights of love."
-- ONO NO KOMACHI
Like two pine needles
Which will dry and fall
But never separate."
-- Anonymous
"Following the roads
Of dream to you, my feet
Never rest. But one glimpse of you
In reality would be
Worth all these many nights of love."
-- ONO NO KOMACHI
September 18, 2021
In all the world
There is no way whatever.
The stag cries even
In the most remote mountain
Fujiwara No Toshinari
There is no way whatever.
The stag cries even
In the most remote mountain
Fujiwara No Toshinari
October 15, 2024
2.5/5⭐️"I was sure I would never get lost in the tangled roads of love. Now I have been caught in the karma of past lives."
March 19, 2026
Al fin un libro con una cuota de género en su criterio de selección de los poemas
April 29, 2009
Small selection of Kenneth Rexroth's translated classical Japanese poetry. It's a beautiful little (4" x 6") paperback of 88 short poems (tanka, haiku) published by New Directions. There is also a New Directions edition of Rexroth's translated Chinese poetry, Songs of Love, Moon & Wind.
March 5, 2010
I'm an ancient Japanese poet trapped in the life of a 21st century Web editor.
September 12, 2011
This is a beautifully made book, elegant translations--now I just want to find some of Rexroth's own poems...
January 15, 2015
Most of these poems are worth reading multiple times.
Everyone is asleep
There is nothing to come between
the moon and me.
-- Enomoto Seifu-Jo (1731-1814)
Everyone is asleep
There is nothing to come between
the moon and me.
-- Enomoto Seifu-Jo (1731-1814)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews