Review: The Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi and Izumu Shikibu, Women of the Ancient Japanese Court, trans by Jane Hirshfield and Mariko Aratani

Synopsis: These translated poems were written by 2 ladies of the Heian court of Japan between the ninth and eleventh centuries A.D. The poems speak intimately of their authors' sexual longing, fulfillment and disillusionment. (from the online description)

Review: Japanese poetry is a favorite of mine, and so it is no surprised that I adored this collection. The introduction gives a short biography of the two women – short because little is known about either. From there, the introduction moves into the culture and tradition of poetry writing in the era when these women lived (800 AD – 1100?AD). In the court of Japan, writing poetry was considered an essential skill, on that could bring fame or censure. To write poetry well was considered the height of good breeding and intelligence. These two women, Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu are considered two of the best female poets to ever live, both in Japan and in the world, and are part of the Thirty-Six Female Immortals of Poetry. After reading this collection, it is obvious why they are considered the greats. With economy of words, with striking imagery and subtly, both women express emotions from deep within the human experience. While it would be impossible to include all the ones that I loved, I have offered a small sample below.

I thought to pick
the flower of forgetting
for myself,
but I found it
already growing in his heart

My longing for you –

Too strong to keep within bounds.

At least no one can blame me

When I go to you at night

Along the Road of Dreams

The Hunting Lanterns

On Mount Ogura have gone,

The deer are calling for their mates….

How easily I might sleep,

If only I didn’t share their fears.

In this world

Love has no color –

Yet how deeply

My body

Is stained by yours.

When the water-freezing

Winter arrives

The floating reds look rooted,

As if stillness

Were their own desire.

As for the collection, this is perfect. Editor Jane Hirschfield and translator Mariko Aratani bring to life these women, and let their words and hearts and experiences live again. At the end of the collection is a find explanation of how the word were translated, part of what makes this collection so worthwhile. Perfect for the lover of poetry, or the student of Japan. 

Bookmarks: 4.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-679-72958-5
Year Published: 1988 (This Edition, 1990) (The Poems written between 834-1034)
Date Finished: 2-27-19
Pages: 212