A collection of translated Japanese waka-poems, including text collage and haibun-style discourses on translation.
Of Women is a collection of translations of Japanese waka-poems from the seventh century to the twelfth century, featuring twenty female poets from this period, when Japanese women’s literature flourished. This book includes poems by famous writers from the era, such as Sei Shonagon (The Pillow Book) and Murasaki Shikibu (The Tale of Genji), and introduces some lesser-known female poets as well.
Waka compacts much information in a short form: words with double meanings, unfamiliar phrases, habits foreign to non-Japanese speakers, and hidden historical backgrounds. Direct translations would fail to capture the author’s full intent, so Of Women takes several approaches to capture the original sensory images, including text collage and haibun, short essays that provide historical context and introduce the author before each waka.
Of Women is a collection of translations of Japanese waka-poems from the seventh century to the twelfth century, featuring twenty female poets from this period, when Japanese women’s literature flourished. This book includes poems by famous writers from the era, such as Sei Shonagon (The Pillow Book) and Murasaki Shikibu (The Tale of Genji), and introduces some lesser-known female poets as well.
Waka compacts much information in a short form: words with double meanings, unfamiliar phrases, habits foreign to non-Japanese speakers, and hidden historical backgrounds. Direct translations would fail to capture the author’s full intent, so Of Women takes several approaches to capture the original sensory images, including text collage and haibun, short essays that provide historical context and introduce the author before each waka.
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Table of Contents
Contents:
Sei Sho¯nagon 4
Fujiwara no Teishi, Empress Teishi 8
Gidousanshi no Mother, Takako 12
Murasaki Shikibu 16
Ko¯kamonin no Betto¯ 20
Izumi Shikibu 24
Koshikibu no Naishi 28
Ukon 32
Daini no Sanmi 36
Mother of envoys for the Japanese missions to the Tang dynasty 40
Empress Sho¯shi 44
Dewanoben 48
Akazome Emon 52
Fujiwara Michitsuna no Mother 56
Ono no Komachi 60
Taikenmon’in no Horikawa 64
Ise 68 Ise no Taifu 72
Empress Jito¯ 76
Saemonnokamikitakata 80
Sei Sho¯nagon 4
Fujiwara no Teishi, Empress Teishi 8
Gidousanshi no Mother, Takako 12
Murasaki Shikibu 16
Ko¯kamonin no Betto¯ 20
Izumi Shikibu 24
Koshikibu no Naishi 28
Ukon 32
Daini no Sanmi 36
Mother of envoys for the Japanese missions to the Tang dynasty 40
Empress Sho¯shi 44
Dewanoben 48
Akazome Emon 52
Fujiwara Michitsuna no Mother 56
Ono no Komachi 60
Taikenmon’in no Horikawa 64
Ise 68 Ise no Taifu 72
Empress Jito¯ 76
Saemonnokamikitakata 80