Editorial Note : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 12 EDITORIAL NOTE The object of the editors of this series is a very definite one. They desire above all things that, in their humble way, these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between East and West...
Xxii : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], MOTOORI NORINAGA He was born A.D. 1730 at Matsuzaka-Is. One of the great names of Japanese literature. He was a pupil of Mabuchi. He was chiefly instrumental in restoring Shint to its original supremacy, and revived interest...
Viii : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], THE LIGHTNING By Minamoto no Jun--10th Century Out of the murky clouds the lightning's glare Dimly reveals the brooding Autumn plain, p. 62 Shown for an instant in its 'broidery rare, Then the dense darkness covers it again. Such is our...
I : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 20 PRELUDE I see the jewels sparkle on each spray Of wind-swept moon-grass, as the reed-stems sway, I try to clasp them--and they fade away In ice-cold dew. Against the turquoise of the April skies, Pink haze of blossom o'er...
Xviii : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 96 A FRAGMENT FROM THE "HEIKE MONOGATARI" ("c". 1190-1332) Author Unknown After the battle (naval) of Daimoura, A.D. 1185, between the Gen or Minamoto clan, under Yoshitsune, brother of the Shogun Yoritomo, and the Hei-Teira facti...
Xvi : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 92 AUTUMN THOUGHTS By Tachibane no Masato In the chill Autumn breeze A lonely insect weeping Heavy dew-tears forlorn. Tell me, what feelings sweeping Through its heart, passion-torn, Shake its frail frame with weeping? THE BARRIER...
Xvii : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 94 SAIGY-HSHI (Born 11--; died 1198) A famous poet of noble birth. He was one of the pages at the Court of the Mikado. One day he parted with a fellow-page, saying good-bye cheerfully, and promising to call on him on his way to Court...
Ix : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 66 THE LEGEND OF THE MURMURING FROM THE DRY BED OF THE RIVER OF SOULS From Prose Version of Buddhist Wasau by Lafcadio Hearn In the pale grey Land of Meido, At the foot of Shid mountain, From the River of Souls' dry bed Rises...
Iv : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 36 YAKAMOCHI Ohotomo no Sukune Yakamochi was a noble of the Ohotomo clan. He held high rank at Court, being made Daishi--great teacher--an honour conferred upon learned and virtuous persons. To him probably is due the collecti...
Xxiii : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], BUSHID (Rendered into English by S. Uchida, Esq.) By Tenshu Nishimura Our Sunrise Land hath been from ancient times Founded on valour, built on chivalry. Three sister-virtues, moulded into one, Wisdom, and Courage, and Humanity: These...
Xiii : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], CHILDREN'S SONGS BUTTERFLY SONG Butterfly, butterfly! light upon the Na-leaf, pray! Or if Na-leaf tempt you not, On my hand alight and sway: Hand and Na-leaf both are nigh-- Light upon one, butterfly! SNAIL SONG Put out your horns...
Iii : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], AKHITO-YAMABENO Flourished about A.D. 700 One of the earliest distinguished poets of Japan. He was the rival of Hitmaro. He accompanied the Mikado Shoran. to Kii; and afterwards visited the Eastland, where he composed the well-known lines...
Xii : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 70 TRANSCIENCE By Komachi Swift fade the hues of hill and wold, Glories of Spring and Fall depart, More evanescent still, behold The fading blossoms of the heart! OLD SAMURAI PRAYER May the Springs purely flow And sickness cease; May...
Introduction : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 13 THE MASTER-SINGERS OF JAPAN INTRODUCTION IN times when everything relating to the history and literature of Japan has become of such vivid interest to the people of this allied Island-Empire, these attempted renderings into English...
Vii : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 57 KINO TSURAYUKI The Poet, and Editor of the "Kokinshiu" He was a Court noble, and of royal descent; he died in A.D. 946. His preface to the "Kokinshiu" is full of poetic thoughts and bas much beauty of style. One of its passages runs...
Xv : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], SEA-FOAM--FLOWERS OF THE SEA-WAVES (Namino-Hana) By Yasuhide The wild flowers fade, the maple-leaves, Touched by frost-fingers, float to earth; But on the bosom of the sea, The flowers to which her waves give birth Fade not, like blossoms...
Xiv : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 80 THE RIVERSIDE The Tatsuta's clear waters redly flow This placid eventide, whereby I know On the high hills the maples flame afar, And down the stream, a floating fiery star, Drifts the red leaf in splendour. Yet alas! To see...
Title Page : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], The Wisdom of the East Series Edited By L. CRANMER-BYNG Dr. S. A. KAPADIA THE MASTER-SINGERS OF JAPAN WISDOM OF THE EAST THE MASTER-SINGERS OF JAPAN BEING VERSE TRANSLATIONS FROM THE JAPANESE POETS BY CLARA A. WALSH LONDON JOHN MURRAY...
Vi : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 50 A MOTHER'S FAREWELL TO HER SON Departing from Naniha on a Mission to China E'en as the hart, who ardent woos his mate When the bush-clover opens purple blooms, Hath one son only, even thus am I Mother of only one, who even now...
Xx : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 105 KEICHIU A.D. 1610-1701 A Priest whose reputation as a scholar attracted the attention of the famous Daimio of Mito, Mitsukuni, who caused a vast library to be collected and maintained scholars for researches which resulted...
Xix : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], KAMO NO CHMEI Kamo no Chmei, the author of that charming little classic the "Hjki," written in A.D. 1212, was guardian of the Shinto shrine of Kamo in Kioto. He was appointed by the retired Mikado Go Toba to a post in the Department...
Xxi : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], BASH He lived at the close of the 17th century, and is described by Professor Chamberlain as "acknowledged master of the seventeen-syllable style," and his poems as "full of flashes of delicate fancy, specks of humour, truth and wisdom."...
Ii : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], HITMARO--KAKINOMOTO NO ASOMI Known as the Prince of the Manyshiu poets. Was said to be descended either from the Mikado Ksh (B.C. 475-393), or the Mikado Bidatsu (B.C. 572-83). He served under the Queen-regnant Jito--A.D. 694-6...
V : * "The Master-Singers of Japan", by Clara A. Walsh, [1914], p. 46 OMI OKURA Little personal is known of him. In A.D. 701 he joined the Embassy to China of Ahada no Ason Mabito, as undersecretary; in 721 he returned to Court and held office in the Eastern palace. Later he was appointed guardi...