{"product_id":"the-illusions-of-self-tanka-by-takuboku-ishikawa-with-notes-and-commentary-9781911221869","title":"The Illusions of Self: Tanka by Takuboku Ishikawa, with notes and commentary","description":"\u003cp\u003eRoger Pulvers' translations - with detailed notes and commentary - of Japan's greatest tanka poet, Takuboku Ishikawa, is now available here for the first time in this volume. Each tanka - a poem that in Japanese has thirty-one syllables - is a microcosm of the human psyche, revealing astounding insights into human behaviors, love (and hate) relationships, as well as social and political circumstances that presage our own times.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn his short life (1886-1912) Takuboku experienced many loves, a tumultuous marriage, fatherhood of three children, one of whom died shortly after birth, a brilliant career as a journalist and wildly popular poet, not to mention a political awakening that was leading him onto the path of the revolutionary.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \"Old Love Letters,\" he writes ...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eThere are so many spelling mistakes\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eIn those old love letters.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eI never noticed until now.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \"The New Year\" ...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eWill this year be like all others\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eWith my mind conjuring only things\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eThat the world will not accept?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd in \"The Patient\" ...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eOne push of the door, a single step\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eAnd the corridor seems to stretch\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eAs far as the eye can see.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePulvers writes in \u003cem\u003eThe Illusions of Self\u003c\/em\u003e ...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTakuboku puts every aspect of his character on the line for us to judge. Japan today craves writers who have the integrity of self-expression and the clarity of vision on their society that Takuboku expresses to us. In the mirror of his works, we are compelled to see our own face in a clear and honest light.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOf these translations, distinguished author and translator of American literature Motoyuki Shibata has written: \"These masterful translations will be a revelation for lovers of Takuboku's poetry while, at the same time, comprising a stylish introduction to those who wish to know it.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Balestier Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50482332041490,"sku":"9781911221869","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_c307fca6-bc0e-4af7-aef5-4e97425f1c35.jpg?v=1730342628","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-illusions-of-self-tanka-by-takuboku-ishikawa-with-notes-and-commentary-9781911221869","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}