Comparative Studies of Japanese and Chinese Poetry: Starting from the Title of the "Man'yōshū"

Author: (Japan) Yutaka Matsuhara, (Japan) Akiko Kato, Lu Qinghe (translators)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-12-01
Features: This book proposes several unresolved mysteries in Japanese waka and examines them from the perspective of their relationship with Chinese poetry. It also presents highly reasonable and persuasive arguments regarding another long-standing puzzle in Japanese poetry: whether Japanese poetry is primarily based on four syllables per beat or two syllables per beat. Professor Matsuhara further specifically points out that the rhythmic differences and characteristics of a poem lie in the presence or absence, quantity, and position of pauses. Reading it is both enlightening and satisfying. It is hoped that readers will savor every word.