Dewdrops on a Lotus Leaf: Zen Poems of Ryokan

By Ryōkan

Book Overview

Dewdrops on a Lotus Leaf: Zen Poems of Ryokan invites readers into the serene and contemplative world of Ryokan, one of Japan's most beloved Zen poets. Born in the snowy province of Echigo in 1758, Ryokan's life journey from a village headman's son to a wandering monk and poet is beautifully captured through his exquisite verses. This collection offers a glimpse into his unique Zen vision, where the simplicity of nature and the depth of human emotions intertwine seamlessly.

Readers will discover the timeless wisdom and tranquility embedded in Ryokan's poetry, which covers a spectrum of human experiences--joy, sorrow, enlightenment, and the delicate balance between humanity and nature. Each poem is a testament to Ryokan's ability to find beauty and meaning in the everyday, encouraging readers to reflect on their own lives with renewed clarity and appreciation. The book also includes insightful anecdotes from Ryokan's life, providing context and depth to his poetic expressions. The eloquent translations by John Stevens preserve the essence of Ryokan's work, making it accessible to modern readers. This collection is not just a book of poems; it is an invitation to pause, reflect, and embrace the fleeting beauty of life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590301080
• ISBN13: 9781590301081
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Distilled Excellence

Perfect. A master, of course, I found the poetry in this volume to be to the point, without flair while still remaining subtle and containing depths. If Zen were a language, this is what it would speak.

Mad Wisdom and Compassion on a Lotus Leaf

These are fresh and spare and unforgettable poems, reproduced by John Stevens with directness and fidelity to the original (or so I have been told by my multilingual friends.) Ryokan was a nature poet but fully in touch with humanity and he had this touch in his poems such that each poem has many levels and can be appreciated through any or all. "At night I got drunk on peach blossoms by the river. I never cared about returning home,..." How can you not love it? I can taste the dewdrops already...

Very Pleasing Translation

I like the way Stephens includes enough information about Ryokan to help understand the poetry. As Ryokan notes himself, outside his Zen, he has no Poetry to offer. Ryokan refusing to take a position of a Zen Abbot, instead goes back to the place of his youth and takes hermitage. "The cold wind gathers enough fallen leaves to build my fire."His code of living avoids flattery as much as objuragation, he teaches with a tear, plays with children, and falls in love with a young nun. All of this brings forward our own starkling humanity!Stephens does a master presentation in bringing this material together in such an artful way as to illuminate all sides of Ryokan with that of the reader themselves. And with that the poetry comes alive.

Reflections on Dew-drops

This third edition(Tokyo, 1954)is created of folded rice? paper and bound by a fine green ribbon - this volume fascinates me each time I read it. Ryokwan-sama speaks through his poetry of gentle musings, of wisdom found by not searching for it, and of both happiness & despair. This translation has been made from the Chinese text by Jakob Fischer. This is certainly a labor of love which honors Ryokwan and the culture of the Orient. These contemplations and astute observations of this eccentric priest's life reach towards the zen of living. "I longed on that warm spring day, to stop the enchanted hours in their flight."

Beautiful poetry and delicate caligraphy; A mad, wise poet.

"Go as deep as you can into life and you can give up blossoms" - that is Ryokan. He is eccentric, wise, simple and profound. The associated calligraphies are beautiful - such as the compassionate, eager monk seated near the little pine-tree in the rain - telling it - "I will gladly give you my straw hat and thatched coat to ward off the rain". And some of the poems have a meditative quality - you can read them casually, often and flip over - and one day you just realize them ... it is hard to explain. However, I am not an expert on zen or buddhism and do not know Japanese, so I cannot comment on the technicalities. I came across this accidentally and I liked it !