Japanese Women Poets

Throughout history, Japanese women have excelled in poetry—from the folk songs of the Kojiki compiled in 712, to the age of haikai in the nineteenth century and the sensational poetry of today. Japanese Women Poets is an unrivaled English-language collection that presents samples from more than 100 female Japanese poets, arranged chronologically, and includes all major verse forms: choka, tanka, haikai, kanshi (verse written in Chinese), and free verse. Poems engage traditional themes such as seasonal changes and love, and more modern topics such as the devastations of war, conflicts between child-rearing and work, and the refugee experience. For those unfamiliar with Japanese language, this volume includes explanations of terms and references, as well as a glossary of poetic terms, chronology, and bibliography. Students and lovers of poetry and Japanese culture will treasure this magnificent anthology.