Hojoki

A Buddhist Reflection on Solitude Imperfection and Transcendence

Kamo no Chomei, Matthew Stavros, Reginald Jackson

$37.95

Hardback

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Japanese

Tuttle Publishing
07 May 2024

Oriental & Indian philosophy; Languages & ESL; Poetry; Japanese - Bilingual Reader; Japanese - Languages

Discover the tranquil wisdom of Chomei's 13th-century masterpiece, Hojoki, as it unveils the beauty of imperfection and the serenity of a simple life amidst the chaos of existence.

Hojoki is an introspective poem written in the 13th century by the enigmatic Japanese hermit Kamo no Chomei, who as a young man served in the capital as official court poet but later in life withdrew from society.

Composed in a time of devastating fires, floods, earthquakes, droughts and famines, Chomei's masterpiece reflects on the impermanence of things, expressing life's mysterious beauty and the profound wisdom to be found in nature.

Chomei paints a vivid picture of the chaos and suffering of the human condition. Amidst this turmoil, he discovers an oasis of calm in a simple mountain hut, where he contemplates the virtues of nature and the wabi sabi beauty of imperfection in all things.

In their friends, People like to find affluence and a ready smile.

Compassion and honesty, Not so much.

So why not make friends with music and nature instead: The moon; the flowers?
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* I know my needs, And I know the world.

I want for nothing, And do not labor to acquire things.

Quietude is all I desire: To be free from worry is happiness enough.

This new translation by Matthew Stavros, presented alongside the original Classical Japanese, perfectly captures the profound serenity of Chomei's writings. His poignant verses serve as timely reminders that amidst the uncertainty of this world, true contentment can often be found in the simple life, in embracing fleeting moments, and in seeking solace in nature's beauty.

By: Kamo no Chomei
Illustrated by: Reginald Jackson
Translated by: Matthew Stavros
Imprint: Tuttle Publishing
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 191mm, Width: 127mm,
Weight: 284g
ISBN: 9784805318003
ISBN 10: 4805318007
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 07 May 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

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Reviews for Hojoki: A Buddhist Reflection on Solitude Imperfection and Transcendence

"""This new translation is marked by the literary quality of Stavros's English. Choosing to render Chomei's prose into verse, the English is lyrical and sounds beautiful when read aloud…The text is complemented by beautiful photographs taken by the author around Kyoto."" — Asian Review of Books ""The impermanence of the world is a thread that weaves its way through Hojoki. Three other Buddhist themes are used to group the 14 short chapters in Matthew's translation: Suffering, Detachment and Transcendence."" —John Dougill: ""Writers in Kyoto,"" author of Zen Gardens and Temples of Kyoto, Japan's World Heritage Sites, and more. ""Chomei's original text follows Stavros' translation to create a fully bilingual edition, and the book includes maps of the ancient capital so that the full scope of the tragedies Chomei records — pestilence, fire, earthquakes, raging winds — can be appreciated by readers, especially those who will draw parallels to their own experiences living amid a global pandemic."" —The Japan Times, ""Hojoki': The paradox of desire and detachment in recluse literature"""