ENGLISH

Essays in Idleness and Hojoki

By Yoshida Kenkō; Kamo no Chōmei; (Trans. M. McKinney)

Book information

Publisher
Penguin Books
Year
2013
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
10 MB (10146623 bytes)
Series
Penguin Classics
Edition
1
Pages
188\228
Topic
Literature
Time added
2022-02-20 22:16:28
Japanese literature

Description

These two works on life’s fleeting pleasures are by Buddhist monks from medieval Japan, but each shows a different world-view. In the short memoir HOJOKI, Chōmei recounts his decision to withdraw from worldly affairs and live as a hermit in a tiny hut in the mountains, contemplating the impermanence of human existence. Kenkō, however, displays a fascination with more earthy matters in his collection of anecdotes; advice and observations. From ribald stories of drunken monks to aching nostalgia for the fading traditions of the Japanese court, ESSAYS IN IDLENESS is a constantly surprising work that ranges across the spectrum of human experience. [From the back cover.] Introduction vii Further Reading xxvii Note on the Translation xxix HOJOKI 3 ESSAYS IN IDLENESS 19 Map 141 Timeline of Emperors 143 Notes 147

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