The Hyakunin Isshu in the Edo Period
The Hyakunin Isshu
by Doug
6d ago
Since I began, this blog has focused on a period of Japanese history which I like to call “Classical Japan”, or “Japanese Antiquity”.1 That’s just a convenient name I call it. But most researchers and historians tend to divide Japan’s history into “periods” (jidai, 時代) based on where the capitol was at the time. So ..read more
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How To Recite the Hyakunin Isshu Like a Pro
The Hyakunin Isshu
by Doug
2w ago
When I first learned to play karuta, I realized that poems of the Hyakunin Isshu are recited in a specific style in Japanese. This is necessary for the players to hear clearly, but also reflects a traditional singing method for reciting waka poetry. #Japan #Poetry #JapanesePoetry #Karuta #HyakuninIsshu ..read more
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Fall Longing: Manyoshu Poem 488
The Hyakunin Isshu
by Doug
3w ago
This is a neat poem from the Japanese anthology, the Manyoshu, with the theme of Autumn and love tryst. #Japan #Manyoshu #Romance #JapanesePoetry ..read more
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A Look at Casual Karuta
The Hyakunin Isshu
by Doug
3w ago
Players of karuta have often heard about the game through the anime Chihayafuru, but in addition to competitive-style karuta, there are other more casual versions of the game often played in Japan. #Japan #karuta #HyakuninIsshu ..read more
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Poets Illustrated: The Thirty Six Immortals Edition
The Hyakunin Isshu
by Doug
1M ago
The famous poetry list by Fujiwara no Kinto, the 36 Immortals of Poetry, was made into a beautiful handmade collection in the 12th century and is a masterwork of paper collage and marbling. #Japan #Poetry #JapanesePoetry #JapaneseArt ..read more
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Professor Mostow Upcoming Lecture!
The Hyakunin Isshu
by Doug
1M ago
Hello, I wanted to share an exciting opportunity for readers. The University of Washington, my alma mater, is hosting a lecture in-person and online by none other than Professor Joshua Mostow! Years ago, Dr Mostow graciously allowed me to use his translations of the Hyakunin Isshu for this blog, and readers have hopefully enjoyed his ..read more
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The Iroha Poem
The Hyakunin Isshu
by Doug
1M ago
One of the most famous poems across Japanese history and even contemporary culture is a poem called the Iroha. The name "iroha" comes from the first three letters of the poem "i", "ro" and "ha". What makes this poem famous is that it uses each hiragana syllable exactly once, and still makes an intelligible, not to mention lovely, poem ..read more
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The Four Seasons Through The Eyes of a Twelfth Century Author
The Hyakunin Isshu
by Doug
1M ago
Ever since I picked up this book that explores the Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon (poem 62 of the Hyakunin Isshu, よを), it’s been fun to learn many of the hidden meanings and cultural allusions of this famous literary work. It’s also fun to see how the Pillow Book is view by Japanese students in ..read more
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Karuta Training through Nakama-Waké
The Hyakunin Isshu
by Doug
1M ago
As I wrote previously, I have been spending a lot of time trying find more effective training methods for myself and for new, foreign Karuta players because of the scarcity of resources. One website that has been particularly helpful in Japanese is Karuta Club, managed by the Meijin (master player) Kawase Masayoshi and his wife ..read more
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Spring or Fall: Which is Better?
The Hyakunin Isshu
by Doug
1M ago
As fall is approaching, I wanted to share an interesting anecdote provided by my book on the Manyoshu. It seems that throughout Japanese antiquity, poets frequently debated which is better: spring or fall. The first example comes from Princess Nukata in the 7th century, whom we discussed here and here, she wrote a lengthy poem ..read more
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