One Hundred Poems from Old Japan : A New Translation of the Hyakunin Isshu [With Free Online Audio Recordings]

In the pale dawn
your coldness as we parted
froze my heart—
nothing now so chills me
as morning''s early light
—Mibu no Tadamine

This completely new translation of the most famous collection of Japanese poetry ever produced, the Hyakunin Isshu ("A hundred poems by a hundred poets"), contains works written between the 10th and 13th centuries that were collected and published by the poet Fujiwara no Teika at the end of that era. The collection is still widely read in Japan today by school children and everyday people.

These poems provide insights on daily life in ancient Japan while addressing universal themes of love, loneliness, aging and the beauty of nature—all highly relevant today.

The poets whose works are featured here include:

• Sei Shonagon, author of The Pillow Book
• Lady Murasaki Shikibu, author of The Tale of Genji
• Emperor Gotoba, who ruled from 1193-1198
• Sugiwara no Michizane, a renowned Confucian scholar

Each poem is presented in the Japanese script with a Romanized version and English translation. An introduction by translator Michael Freiling provides essential information about the collection, an overview of the poems and poets, and reflections on why the work remains so popular in Japan today.

This new hardcover gift edition is illustrated in full-color with stunning woodblock prints created for the poems by the famous 19th-century artists Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi and Kunisada. Free online audio recordings of all the poems are available in Japanese and English.

"Translated with both grace and precision, the poems are elegant expressions of the depth of human emotion." —William Scott Wilson, renowned translator of Japanese literatureIn the pale dawnyour coldness as we partedfroze my heart—nothing now so chills meas morning's early light —Mibu no TadamineExperience Japan's most celebrated anthology of poetry with this completely new translation of the Hyakunin Isshu ("A Hundred Poems by a Hundred Poets"). This timeless collection, compiled by the esteemed poet Fujiwara no Teika in the 13th century, features works by 100 poets from the 7th and 8th centuries and remains widely read across Japan to this day. These evocative poems provide a window into the daily life of ancient Japan, exploring universal themes such as love, loneliness, aging, and the beauty of nature—topics that continue to resonate with readers today. Poets featured in this collection include:Sei Shonagon, author of The Pillow BookLady Murasaki Shikibu, author of The Tale of GenjiEmperor Go-toba, ruler of Japan from 1193-1198Sugiwara no Michizane, renowned Confucian scholarEach poem is presented in the original Japanese script, with Romanized versions and English translations for easy reading. The introduction by translator Michael Freiling provides essential context, an overview of the poets, and insights into the enduring popularity of the Hyakunin Isshu in Japan. This beautifully designed hardcover edition is illustrated with full-color woodblock prints by famous 19th-century artists Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi, and Kunisada, enhancing the visual and cultural richness of the collection. Plus, free online audio recordings of all the poems are available in both Japanese and English, allowing you to hear these timeless verses in their original form. A perfect gift for lovers of Japanese culture, poetry, and art, this edition of Hyakunin Isshu is an invaluable addition to any bookshelf.