Review: The Penguin Book of Japanese Verse trans. by Geoffrey Bownas and Anthony Twaite (L)

Synopsis: A Survey of Japanese poetry, starting from the earliest manuscripts and ending around the time the book was published in 1963

Review: If you are interested in Japanese poetry, this is a MUST own book. The introduction runs the reader through the history of Japanese poetry, including its place in the history and culture of Japan. There are also extensive notes on the types and styles, the meanings and themes, traditions and impact - as well as the grammar and translations. As for the poems themselves, one can never really definitively judge a poem for its emotional impact. Poems can be judged on adherence to form, word choice, imagery, and other technical aspects - but "good" or "bad" is in the hands of the reader, and changes from person to person, and era to era. That being said, this is a fine collection, meant to introduce the Western Reader to the fine, delicate, and extensive art of poetry in Japan, of which the Japanese have shown themselves to be Masters.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: N/A
Year Published: 1963
Date Finished: 2-21-2019
Pages: 243