Japan poetry and a life blighted by ill-health: Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The final years of the life of Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) were filled with pain and long-lasting suffering. Ultimately, his life was cut short from the ravages of tuberculosis and other ailments that stemmed from this. Shiki understood the frailty…
Japanese Death Poem: The final moments of Prince Ōtsu (663-686) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The final weeks and moments of the life of Prince Ōtsu (663-686) were full of shock and sadness. His father, Emperor Tenmu, provided hope and optimism that his future would be bright. However, the convulsions after the death of…
Poetry in the throes of death: 7th century Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prince Ōtsu (663-686) knew his fate after being condemned to death. Hence, his death poem survives the passages of time, unlike others before him. Ōtsu knew that pain awaited and one can only imagine his inner-feelings. Deeming himself innocent of…
Art of Japan and poetry: Above the withered fields a bat flits Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetic skills of Yosa Buson (1716-1784) are extremely legendary inside Japan despite the passages of time. Indeed, despite some notable art pieces by Buson, it is his words belonging to the world of haiku that stand…
Japanese death poems: The final flicker of Prince Ōtsu (663-686) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prince Ōtsu (663-686) knew his fate after being condemned to death. Hence, his death poem survives the passages of time, unlike others before him. Ōtsu knew that pain awaited and one can only imagine his inner-feelings. Deeming himself innocent…
Japanese Art and Poetry of Yosa Buson: A bat flits in moonlight Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetic skills of Yosa Buson (1716-1784) are extremely legendary inside Japan despite the passages of time. Indeed, despite some notable art pieces by Buson, it is his words belonging to the world of haiku that stand…
The Japanese poet Yosa Buson in the shadow of art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yosa Buson (1716-1784) belongs to the world of Japanese poetry because his haiku is highly acclaimed, saying it mildly. This reality means that his art is secondary despite being a distinctive artist. Therefore, while the art of Buson is…
Japan poetry and Yosa Buson: Footsteps of Matsuo Basho Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetry of Yosa Buson (1716-1784) in Japan is highly acclaimed because his haiku reached the hearts of many. Indeed, despite being a distinctive artist during the Edo Period, it is his haiku that stands out. Hence, the fame that…
Japanese poet of bygone years: Kakinomoto no Hitomaro Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese waka poet Kakinomoto no Hitomaro belongs to the world of the seventh century and the very early eighth century, prior to perishing from this world. His legacy remains in the vestiges of Japanese high culture because he belongs…
Japanese Buddhist poetry of the fourteenth century: Jakushitsu Genkō (1290-1367) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Jakushitsu Genkō (1290-1367) is a famous Japanese Rinzai Buddhist preacher who became the first abbot of the Eigen-ji temple that was built in his honor. He reportedly said about poetry, “Why pursue words, when one truly seeks silence?” This…
Seventh to early Eighth Century Poet from Japan: Kakinomoto no Hitomaro Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese waka poet Kakinomoto no Hitomaro belongs to the world of the seventh century and the very early eighth century, prior to perishing from this world. His legacy remains in the vestiges of Japanese high culture…
Yosa Buson and Japanese Poetry: In the footsteps of Matsuo Bashō Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetry of Yosa Buson (1716-1784) in Japan is highly acclaimed because his haiku reached the hearts of many. Indeed, despite being a distinctive artist during the Edo Period, it is his haiku that stands out. Hence, the…
Jakushitsu Genkō (1290-1367) and Buddhist Poetry in old Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Jakushitsu Genkō (1290-1367) is a famous Japanese Rinzai Buddhist preacher who became the first abbot of the Eigen-ji temple that was built in his honor. He reportedly said about poetry, “Why pursue words, when one truly seeks silence?” This statement…
Japanese Poetry by Kakinomoto no Hitomaro: Seventh and Early Eighth Century Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kakinomoto no Hitomaro is a highly esteemed poet of the distant past in the land of the rising sun. Indeed, Hitomaro is deemed to be one of the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals based on his prominence in volumes 1…
Japanese Poetry and Yosa Buson: Shadow of Art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yosa Buson (1716-1784) belongs to the world of Japanese poetry because his haiku is highly acclaimed, saying it mildly. This reality means that his art is secondary despite being a distinctive artist. Therefore, while the art of Buson is regarded with…
Japanese Poetry of Kakinomoto no Hitomaro: Impact of the Asuka Period Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese waka poet Kakinomoto no Hitomaro belongs to the world of the seventh century and the very early eighth century, prior to perishing from this world. His legacy remains in the vestiges of Japanese high culture…
Japanese Buddhist Poetry by Jakushitsu (1290-1367): Why pursue words, when one truly seeks silence? Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Jakushitsu Genkō (1290-1367) is a famous Japanese Rinzai Buddhist preacher who became the first abbot of the Eigen-ji temple that was built in his honor. He reportedly said about poetry, “Why pursue words, when one…
Seventh and Early Eighth Century Japanese Poetry by Kakinomoto no Hitomaro Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kakinomoto no Hitomaro is a highly esteemed poet of the distant past in the land of the rising sun. Indeed, Hitomaro is deemed to be one of the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals based on his prominence in volumes 1…
Japanese Art and Poetry: Yosa Buson and Impact of China Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yosa Buson (1716-1784) belongs to the world of Japanese poetry because his haiku is highly acclaimed, saying it mildly. This reality means that his art is secondary despite being a distinctive artist. Therefore, while the art of Buson is…
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