An Anthology of Kanshi (Chinese Verse) by Japanese Poets of the Edo Period (1603-1868) Translations of Selected Poems with an Introduction and Commentaries
Bradstock, Timothy R. , & Rabinovitch, Judith N.

Reviews

"Among the book's many strengths lie certain key features which set it apart from other works on kanshi. First is its written style, which is both erudite and accessible, authoritative yet eminently readable. . . . Second, the book boasts some of the most accurate, yet poetic, translations of Chinese verse yet seen in the English language. . . . and is one of very few books of translations to do justice to the beauty and cadence of Chinese verse. Equally important is that the book sheds light on a period of kanshi production which has been under-researched. . . . all the more useful for its inclusion of the copiously researched biographies of more than one hundred poets. The most important contribution. . . is the fact that it approaches kanshi written in Japan as Japanese literature, rather than as 'Chinese literature written by Japanese'. . . . In addition to its potential as an excellent reference tool, an informative and influential study, and evidence that a national literature need not by bound by its language, [this book] is simply a pleasure to read." - Dr. Matthew Strecher "Among the book's many strengths lie certain key features which set it apart from other works on kanshi. First is its written style, which is both erudite and accessible, authoritative yet eminently readable. . . . Second, the book boasts some of the most accurate, yet poetic, translations of Chinese verse yet seen in the English language. . . . and is one of very few books of translations to do justice to the beauty and cadence of Chinese verse. Equally important is that the book sheds light on a period of kanshi production which has been under-researched. . . . all the more useful for its inclusion of the copiously researched biographies of more than one hundred poets. The most important contribution. . . is the fact that it approaches kanshi written in Japan as Japanese literature, rather than as 'Chinese literature written by Japanese'. . . . In addition to its potential as an excellent reference tool, an informative and influential study, and evidence that a national literature need not by bound by its language, [this book] is simply a pleasure to read." - Dr. Matthew Strecher

Faithful yet wonderfully readable, the translations hold appeal for both the interested amateur and the scholar in search of an accurate rendering. . . . Reading the anthology is a lesson in the historical development of the genre, showing how the first tentative, somewhat wooden experiments anticipated the glory of kanshi in its heyday in the late eighteenth century. . . . transcends the bounds of literary history and criticism: it bridges the gap between intellectual history and the study and appreciation of literature for its own sake. As such it should be read not only by lovers of literature, but by any and all who seek to gain a fuller and deeper understanding of the Japanese way" - Dr. Alice Cheang.

ISBN10:  0-7734-8560-0   ISBN13:  978-0-7734-8560-0    Pages:  442    Year:  1997   

Series: Japanese Studies Number: 3

Subject Areas:  Asia - Translations, Asian - Literature, Asian Studies, Japan,

Imprint: Edwin Mellen Press

USA List Price: $149.95 UK List Price: £ 99.95  

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