Japanese Death Poems
Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death
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3 Months Free
Japanese Death Poems
Buy Now for $18.52
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Narrated by:
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Marco Blasco
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By:
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Yoel Hoffmann
Discover the beauty and clarity of life's final moments through Japan's haunting tradition of jisei—poems written at the edge of death.
This moving collection brings together hundreds of translated death poems by Zen monks, haiku poets, and samurai warriors—many appearing in English for the first time. Compiled by renowned scholar Yoel Hoffmann, Japanese Death Poems offers more than exquisite verse: it explores Japan's deep-rooted cultural approach to mortality, impermanence, and spiritual release. With vivid commentary and historical insight, this volume reveals how clarity, humor, and grace can emerge at life's end.
A powerful and contemplative listen for poetry lovers, spiritual seekers, and anyone drawn to the mystery of death.
©1999 Yoel Hoffmann (P)1986 Tuttle PublishingCritic Reviews
Featured in the New York Times style magazine gift guide
"It's really just a phenomenal window into an aspect of Japanese culture that I had no exposure to."—Tim Ferris, The Tim Ferris Show
"There is something so otherworldly and beautiful about Japanese poetry, but especially Japanese poetry about death…poetry and prose regarding death, dreams, and memories have an extra weight and heft to them, whilst still being able to maintain an ethereal, dreamy, nostalgic, cozy warm delivery in their thematic idea exploration."—Traveling Book Nerds