The Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Onono Komachi and Izumi Shikibu, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan (Vintage Classics)

Japanese poetry is a favorite of mine, and so it is no surprised that I adored this collection. The introduction gives a short biography of the two women – short because little is known about either. From there, the introduction moves into the culture and tradition of poetry writing in the era when these women lived (800 AD – 1100?AD). In the court of Japan, writing poetry was considered an essential skill, on that could bring fame or censure. To write poetry well was considered the height of good breeding and intelligence. These two women, Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu are considered two of the best female poets to ever live, both in Japan and in the world, and are part of the Thirty-Six Female Immortals of Poetry. After reading this collection, it is obvious why they are considered the greats. With economy of words, with striking imagery and subtly, both women express emotions from deep within the human experience. While it would be impossible to include all the ones that I loved, I have offered a small sample below.I thought to pickthe flower of forgettingfor myself,but I found italready growing in his heartMy longing for you –Too strong to keep within bounds.At least no one can blame meWhen I go to you at nightAlong the Road of DreamsThe Hunting LanternsOn Mount Ogura have gone,The deer are calling for their mates….How easily I might sleep,If only I didn’t share their fears.In this worldLove has no color –Yet how deeplyMy bodyIs stained by yours.When the water-freezingWinter arrivesThe floating reds look rooted,As if stillnessWere their own desire.As for the collection, this is perfect. Editor Jane Hirschfield and translator Mariko Aratani bring to life these women, and let their words and hearts and experiences live again. At the end of the collection is a find explanation of how the word were translated, part of what makes this collection so worthwhile. Perfect for the lover of poetry, or the student of Japan.

These two women poets produced beautiful poetic works a thousand years ago. The treat for the reader is that the poems are as lovely and fresh today as the day they were originally written. I consider this book a must-have for my library.

I have a passion for all kinds of poetry but my favorite poetic forms have been the Asian variety from China and Japan. I have also read and wrote reviews of numerous volumes of Asian poetry. This unique collection (The Ink Dark Moon: Love poems by Ono No Komachi and Izumi Shikibu women of the ancient court of Japan translated by Jane Hirshfield with Mariko Aratani) of Japanese love poems are just fantastic and beautiful.The ancient Heian court of imperial Japan was one of the most culturally advanced societies at that time. Women played an important part of this cultural enlightenment, writing some of the most profound poetry and stories at that time. These poems provide an insight into the love thoughts between lovers among the Heian elite. The emotional feelings come out in these poems in a clear and concise way which is a pure joy to read.This is a classic that lovers of Japanese poetry will want to have in their personal collection. I was moved by the pure beauty of these poems written with emotional experiences and intellectual wit of these two ladies of the court.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Haiku Moments: How to read, write and enjoy haiku)

absolutely love this. i bought on genuinely on a whim and fell in love with works by both poets. this got me really into izumi shikibu, not just as a poet but her incredible life. i think i’ve annoyed my friends by recommending this so much

I gave this book as a gift. I have my own copy, the poetry is stunningly breathtaking. Written by women on Japan, a very long time ago. When the beauty of the land was connected to the beauty of the heart. Inspiring , when nature is connected to the human spirit.

The Heian period of Japan was artistically fertile time that produced numerous classic works of literature. It was even more remarkable in that most of the major literary figures of the time were women. Among those great women, Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu were two of the best. Their waka poetry (now called 'tanka') is some of the best literature ever written in Japan and the poetesses themselves have become the stuff of legend.Doing justice in translating ancient Japanese into modern English is no easy task, but Hirshfield and Aratani have created translations that are as beautiful as the originals. Anyone who enjoys poetry, who loves love, or who is interested in other cultures and finding the universal passions of the human heart will enjoy this book.--M. Kei, editor of  Fire Pearls  : Short Masterpieces of the Human Heart

Book arrived in great condition. It is my favorite Japanese haiku collection.

Sensitively translated and without losing any of the delicacy and feeling of the original poems, this book is one that I often return to. One might wonder how it is possible to distill so much emotion and nuance into so few words but that is the genius of the lady poets of the Heian period, who reach out over a thousand years and speak eloquently and elegantly to the reader today. A joy to read.

A delightful book; the works of Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu, two of Japan's most celebrated and legendary poetesses, are rendered with warmth and tenderness. Each Lady has a third of the book to call her own; the remaining pages being a brief intro to their lives and the conventions of the waka (Heian poems of five lines, with 5-7-5-7-7 syllables) they wrote, as well as notes and annotations (very useful ones) to the poems.It's no small feat to make 1000 year-old poetry from a distant country resonate with a modern reader, but this book manages to do so beautifully. Their sentiments of love and longing are as piercing now as when they left the poet's brush.The cover of this little paperback has a slightly rough, matt finish... a pleasant surprise that makes reading and holding the book more tactile than with a glossy cover.

One of my favorite books ever. I already had a copy, but wanted to get another while they are still in print! Exquisite centuries old haiku written by the wives of Samurai. Heart piercing and tender. A beautiful beautiful collection.

Excellent translations by someone with a deep sympathy for the poetry and culture of Japan.

Short poems but with deep insights about love, longing, sex, time, life and everything in between.