Comments on: Romance in Ancient Japan http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/10/15/romance-in-ancient-japan/ My life as a father, Buddhist, Japanophile and Koreaphile. Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:49:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: johnl http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/10/15/romance-in-ancient-japan/#comment-4702 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:30:50 +0000 https://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=8699#comment-4702 Yeah, I forgot to mention that in the poetry contest, the themes don’t seem to include secret love or any kind of love these days. Pretty much all nature related, like ‘the moon’ or ‘icicles.’

]]> By: Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/10/15/romance-in-ancient-japan/#comment-4700 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:11:18 +0000 https://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=8699#comment-4700 Charming indeed. :-) When I read the explanations in the Chibi Marukochan book, they often pointed out the double-meanings and stock phrases, or historical context behind a given poem. You are so right: these are terribly difficult to translate. I was impressed by Lady Izumi’s daughter’s poem in particular because it was off the cuff and yet technically astounding. :-)

I had no idea the tradition still lives on though. I should look into that more. I lack the expert’s eye to appreciate such things but even a foreign amateur like myself can appreciate that ineffable mood you aptly mentioned. :-)

]]> By: johnl http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/10/15/romance-in-ancient-japan/#comment-4698 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 05:44:20 +0000 https://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=8699#comment-4698 Those poems are generally wrapped in several layers of meaning and ambiguity–very tough to translate, but their charm seems to be in some ineffable mood or feeling, maybe even more than the meaning. By the way, the Emperor (or maybe the Imperial Household Agency) sponsors an annual poetry contest open to the public. They announce a theme, and people submit poems. Shortly after the New Year holidays, the winners get to participate in a meeting where the official reader ‘intones’ their poems, and those of the Emperor and Empress, following the old custom of reading each one twice in succession. I think it is broadcast on NHK–don’t know if archives are available. But the custom is being preserved.

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