Having Once Paused

Poems of Zen Master Ikkyu (1394-1481)

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Eastern Religions, Zen Buddhism, Fiction & Literature, Poetry
Cover of the book Having Once Paused by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith, University of Michigan Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith ISBN: 9780472120956
Publisher: University of Michigan Press Publication: June 2, 2015
Imprint: University of Michigan Press Language: English
Author: Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
ISBN: 9780472120956
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Publication: June 2, 2015
Imprint: University of Michigan Press
Language: English

The influence of Zen Master Ikkyu (1394-1481) permeates the full field of medieval Japanese aesthetics. Though best known as a poet, he was central to the shaping and reshaping of practices in calligraphy, Noh theater, tea ceremony, and rock gardening, all of which now define Japan’s sense of its cultural tradition. Ikkyu is unique in Zen for letting his love of all appearance occupy him until it destroys any possibility for safety or seclusion.  In his poetry, he turns the eye of enlightenment to all phenomena: politics, pine trees, hard meditation practice, sex, wine. A lifelong outsider to religious establishments, Ikkyu nonetheless accepted Imperial command to rebuild his home temple, Daitoku-ji, destroyed in the civil wars. He died before that project was complete.

 

The poems in this collection express the unborn bliss of Ikkyu’s realization and equally his devastation at the horrors of this world. They are peopled with ancient Chinese poets, cantankerous Japanese Zen Masters, contemporary warlords, and his lover Mori, a blind musician who lived with Ikkyu the last eleven years of his life. All of this is his Buddhism. His awakening outshines the small idols of reason, emotion, self, desire, doctrine, even of Buddhism itself.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The influence of Zen Master Ikkyu (1394-1481) permeates the full field of medieval Japanese aesthetics. Though best known as a poet, he was central to the shaping and reshaping of practices in calligraphy, Noh theater, tea ceremony, and rock gardening, all of which now define Japan’s sense of its cultural tradition. Ikkyu is unique in Zen for letting his love of all appearance occupy him until it destroys any possibility for safety or seclusion.  In his poetry, he turns the eye of enlightenment to all phenomena: politics, pine trees, hard meditation practice, sex, wine. A lifelong outsider to religious establishments, Ikkyu nonetheless accepted Imperial command to rebuild his home temple, Daitoku-ji, destroyed in the civil wars. He died before that project was complete.

 

The poems in this collection express the unborn bliss of Ikkyu’s realization and equally his devastation at the horrors of this world. They are peopled with ancient Chinese poets, cantankerous Japanese Zen Masters, contemporary warlords, and his lover Mori, a blind musician who lived with Ikkyu the last eleven years of his life. All of this is his Buddhism. His awakening outshines the small idols of reason, emotion, self, desire, doctrine, even of Buddhism itself.

More books from University of Michigan Press

Cover of the book American Homes by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book Old and New New Englanders by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book The German Patient by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book In the Name of Editorial Freedom by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book Making Security Social by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book Japan and China as Charm Rivals by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book Ancient Law, Ancient Society by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book Women of the Andes by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book Louie Louie by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book The End of Normal by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book The Troubles in Ballybogoin by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book Dividing Lines by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book Michigan's County Courthouses by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book Remaking the Democratic Party by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
Cover of the book A New England Prison Diary by Sarah Messer, Ikkyu Sojun, Kidder Smith
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy