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 These Things Called Dreams: The Poems of Ono no Komachi, another book of translations of classical Japanese poetry -- this one a single-author collection of arguably the most technically adept and passionate love poet Japan has ever produced. The original drafts were posted years ago in my journal (here and here), which have since been buffed and polished. Each poem is paired with a picture of the poet -- all of them painted or printed in the millennium after her death, so alongside the historical texts, you can trace her depictions through history. Full description:
Despite her repute as a love poet, for most of history Ono no Komachi was better known for her legendary beauty and supposed numerous affairs. If we look at her works themselves, however, we find a superb poetic technician who wrote some of the most passionate works of classical Japanese—by turns sarcastic, love-lorn, and regretful.

This new translation of all reliably attributed poems is lavishly illustrated with portraits spanning seven centuries, depicting Komachi and the legends that grew up around her. Japanese text and commentary is included for every poem.

    I dozed, and saw him,
the one for whom I long,
    and ever since then
I have begun relying
upon these things called dreams.


These Things Called Dreams: The Poetry of Ono no Komachi

I don't know if it matters to anyone, but by way of full disclosure: there is one poem that's in all three collections of translations.

Available in both paper and electronic editions from all the usual online retailers: print | Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Smashwords | et cetera. (Not available, alas, for ordering in hardcopy through your local bookstore because KDP’s printing tolerances aren’t up to snuff for thin spines. Boo. If you do not want to order from Amazon, I can arrange something.)

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

Date: 1 March 2019 07:39 pm (UTC)
sovay: (Lord Peter Wimsey: passion)
From: [personal profile] sovay
I am pleased to announce the publication of These Things Called Dreams: The Poems of Ono no Komachi, another book of translations of classical Japanese poetry -- this one a single-author collection of arguably the most technically adept and passionate love poet Japan has ever produced.

Congratulations!

Date: 1 March 2019 08:47 pm (UTC)
genarti: Knees-down view of woman on tiptoe next to bookshelves (Default)
From: [personal profile] genarti
Oh, marvelous! Congratulations!

Date: 2 March 2019 01:08 am (UTC)
asakiyume: (feathers on the line)
From: [personal profile] asakiyume
Congratulations! I am behind and haven't yet had a chance to read your seasonal poems from the Kokinshu, but I'm glad you're keeping on going with the publishing. You've got a great cover for this, as you did for the last, and I know the なかみ will be even more lovely.

Date: 5 March 2019 02:44 am (UTC)
asakiyume: (miroku)
From: [personal profile] asakiyume
Aw, he'd be touched. I'll dm you the address so you have it again, just in case.

Date: 2 March 2019 03:57 am (UTC)
thistleingrey: (Default)
From: [personal profile] thistleingrey
Congratulations!

Date: 2 March 2019 02:05 pm (UTC)
mrissa: (Default)
From: [personal profile] mrissa
Congrats! I would be happy to review if you wanted that.

Date: 4 March 2019 03:55 pm (UTC)
mrissa: (Default)
From: [personal profile] mrissa
I generally prefer print, but I can do Kindle if that's easier. My gmail is marissalingen for further discussion here.

June 2025

S M T W T F S
1 2 34567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930     

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated 5 June 2025 02:18 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios