larryhammer: animation of the kanji for four seasonal birds fading into each other in endless cycle (Japanese poetry)
[personal profile] larryhammer
I am pleased to announce the publication of Ice Melts in the Wind: The Seasonal Poems of the Kokinshu, another collection of translations of classical Japanese poetry. Some of you may remember the drafts posted in this journal (linked here) — these have been revised and edited and otherwise swotted into shape. Full description:
“Japanese poetry takes the human heart as its seed, and has innumerable words as its leaves.”

The Kokinshu, compiled around 905 C.E. in 20 thematic books, was the first imperial anthology of Japanese poetry. It defined the acceptable topics, diction, imagery, and style of court poetry for the next thousand years. Haiku poets took many cues from this tradition, including giving primacy to seasonal imagery.

Ice Melts in the Wind is an exciting new translation of the six books of seasonal poems, depicting the progression from New Year’s Day through spring cherry blossoms and summer cuckoo songs to autumn’s colorful leaves and winter snow, ending again with the New Year. Japanese text and commentary is included for every poem, along with brief biographies of all named poets.

    The water I cupped
in my hands, drenching my sleeves,
    has long been frozen—
today, with the start of spring,
will it melt in the wind?
Ice Melts in the Wind


Plus there’s occasional seasonal Japanese woodblock prints, for those who enjoy them.

Available in both paper and electronic editions from all the usual fine retailers: print | Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Smashwords | et cetera | as well as orderable through your local bookstore (ISBN 978-1728826417).

If you do read it, please consider reviewing or at least rating. Every tick-mark counts. Review copies can be arranged.

—L.

Date: 4 November 2018 06:01 pm (UTC)
sovay: (Lord Peter Wimsey: passion)
From: [personal profile] sovay
I am pleased to announce the publication of Ice Melts in the Wind: The Seasonal Poems of the Kokinshu, another collection of translations of classical Japanese poetry.

Congratulations!

Date: 4 November 2018 06:20 pm (UTC)
radiantfracture: Beadwork bunny head (Default)
From: [personal profile] radiantfracture
Very cool!

Date: 4 November 2018 06:23 pm (UTC)
sartorias: (Default)
From: [personal profile] sartorias
Bought. If by some miracle I find anything to say that doesn't sound ignorant and half-witted, will review.

Date: 4 November 2018 09:35 pm (UTC)
gwynnega: (Default)
From: [personal profile] gwynnega
Congratulations!

Date: 5 November 2018 01:46 pm (UTC)
oracne: turtle (Default)
From: [personal profile] oracne
EXCELLENT!!!

Date: 7 November 2018 05:49 am (UTC)
thistleingrey: (Default)
From: [personal profile] thistleingrey
ah, that's great! Congratulations!

Date: 9 November 2018 04:12 am (UTC)
umadoshi: (writing in book (iconriot))
From: [personal profile] umadoshi
Congrats on both this and the rerelease of “Story Lines”! ^_^

Date: 21 January 2019 09:23 pm (UTC)
swan_tower: The Long Room library at Trinity College, Dublin (Long Room)
From: [personal profile] swan_tower
Very belatedly acquired!

Are you likely to do more from the rest of the Kokinshu? I really love your translations and commentary, and would happily snap up all 1111 poems if you were to tackle them.

Date: 22 January 2019 08:54 am (UTC)
swan_tower: (Default)
From: [personal profile] swan_tower
Switching your focus to Chinese makes perfect sense. Looking forward to the new collection, though!

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