Publication
Imprint: New York, Tokyo : Weatherhill, 1978, 1985.Edition: First edition, third printing. Responsibility: Roshi Robert Aitken with a preface by W. S. Merwin. OCLC Number: 4194126. Physical: Text : 1 volume : 191 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm. Features: Includes bibliography, glossary.
Call number
GT-B-Z / Aitke
ISBN
083480137X / 9780834801370
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Named Person: Aatsuo Basho, 1644-1694
Description: Zen Buddhism distinguishes itself by brilliant flashes of insight and its terseness of expression. The haiku verse form is a superb means of studying Zen modes of thought and expression, for its seventeen syllables impose a rigorous limitation that confines the poet to vital experience. This book deals with Zen, the human mind, and the haiku of Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) the greatest Japanese haiku poet. Here haiku by Basho are translated in masterly fashion and interpreted in terms of Zen. The result is a new and far deeper understanding of Basho's work than ever offered before. In presenting themes from the haiku and from Zen literature that open the doors both to the poems and to Zen itself, Mr. Aitken has produced the first book about the relationship between Zen and haiku. -- from back cover
Table of Contents:
The old pond --
The mountain path --
Autumn in Kiso --
Wisteria flowers --
Quail --
Suma in summer --
That --
That's interesting --
The shepherd's purse --
This road --
The morning glory and the butterfly --
The four-and-a-half-mat room --
Bush clover and the moon --
The Goi --
Traveler --
Hailstones --
The cricket --
Dreams --
Cherry blossoms --
The bagworm --
Flower viewing --
Birds crying --
Miming --
The beginning of culture --
The priest and chrysanthemum flowers --
Net of the law.
FY2015 /
Description: Zen Buddhism distinguishes itself by brilliant flashes of insight and its terseness of expression. The haiku verse form is a superb means of studying Zen modes of thought and expression, for its seventeen syllables impose a rigorous limitation that confines the poet to vital experience. This book deals with Zen, the human mind, and the haiku of Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) the greatest Japanese haiku poet. Here haiku by Basho are translated in masterly fashion and interpreted in terms of Zen. The result is a new and far deeper understanding of Basho's work than ever offered before. In presenting themes from the haiku and from Zen literature that open the doors both to the poems and to Zen itself, Mr. Aitken has produced the first book about the relationship between Zen and haiku. -- from back cover
Table of Contents:
The old pond --
The mountain path --
Autumn in Kiso --
Wisteria flowers --
Quail --
Suma in summer --
That --
That's interesting --
The shepherd's purse --
This road --
The morning glory and the butterfly --
The four-and-a-half-mat room --
Bush clover and the moon --
The Goi --
Traveler --
Hailstones --
The cricket --
Dreams --
Cherry blossoms --
The bagworm --
Flower viewing --
Birds crying --
Miming --
The beginning of culture --
The priest and chrysanthemum flowers --
Net of the law.
FY2015 /
Physical description
191 p.; 21 cm
Description
Zen Buddhism distinguishes itself by brilliant flashes of insight and its terseness of expression. The haiku verse form is a superb means of studying Zen modes of thought and expression, for its seventeen syllables impose a rigorous limitation that confines the poet to vital experience. Here haiku by Bashõ are translated by Robert Aitken, with commentary that provides a new and far deeper understanding of Bashõ's work than ever before. In presenting themes from the haiku and from Zen literature that open the doors both to the poems and to Zen itself, Aitken has produced the first book about the relationship between Zen and haiku. His readers are certain to find it invaluable for the remarkable revelations it offers.
Language
Original language
English
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User reviews
LibraryThing member aulsmith
The poetry was great, the translations interesting, the commentary was somewhat self-centered but okay. What drove me crazy was the zen lecture related to each poem, especially Aitken's comparing of Basho's wanderings to Aitken's students sitting around in a dojo. There are reasons zen practice
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makes me want to scream, "Wake Up!" Show Less