A Quiet Room: Poetry of Zen Master Jakushitsu

by Jakushitsu and Arthur Braverman

Book Overview

This simple yet profound translation of Jakushitsu's poetry offers readers a wide selection of this 15th-century Rinzai Zen master's verse. Though the subject matter varies from commentaries on key... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804832137
• ISBN13: 9780804832137
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Jakushitsu's poetry: for quiet reflection and solitude

I thought I had heard of all the great Zen poets, until I found Arthur Braverman's translation of Jakushitsu (1290 - 1367), complete with helpful commentary and an introduction providing a brief biography of Jakushitsu's unusual life. Jakushitsu was ordained as a Buddhist monk at the age of seventeen, and studied with Japanese and Chinese Zen Masters both in Japan and China. After six years in China with Rinzai Zen master Chung-feng Ming-pen, Jakushitsu returned to Japan and wandered the mountains for years, seeking seclusion, and writing. This is poetry of solitude, drawing on the lush poetic heritage of Zen and Taoism. Quiet realization and deep insights are to be found in this masterful translation."Neither seeking fame/nor grieving my poverty/I hide deep in the mountain/far from worldly dust/Year ending/cold sky/who will befriend me?/Plum blossom on a new branch/wrapped in moonlight"It is a great pleasure to recommend this translation of Jakushitsu's poetry. If you love the Zen poets and want a very satisfying book for your quieter, comtemplative moods, this is a must! I wrote this review and some more, about the author, on my site at www.yakrider.com. Hope you enjoy.