Description
Book SynopsisThe concept of a universal human nature suggests that American scholars and American readers of Japanese literature may interpret the elements in Japanese tanka based on emotions and on meanings attached to natural images that are common to all of humanity. It is hoped that readers will experience this ancient style of Japanese poetry in such a way that they are inspired to write their own tanka poems. Such is one of the purposes of A Shawl of Mist. Another purpose of this book is to share essays written to accompany and complement the tanka poems. The short essays included here provide practical thoughts based on the author's long years of personal and professional experiences studying, reading, teaching, thinking, and especially, cherishing each day of living in Japan, the United States, and Guam.
Table of ContentsPreface Foreword A Historical Overview of Japanese Language, Literature, and Poetry Haiku: Interpretation and Appreciation Tanka: Expressing the Modern Soul in an Ancient Style My future is here and now Yellow roses, you must be A treasure box in heart Where you are planted The power of happiness The Cinderella complex A linked verse: the winds of America Space clearing and clutter clearing To throw it away or not Philosophy of life Flame trees Practical applications Every day we are alive Reflections on one life If Edison’s analysis were applied Self-directed e-learning Things I cannot live without Start on your journey Life is a personal mission Thoughts on aging Photographs of ourselves Rules recommended for Life Changing problems into challenges Silence is golden or not Leadership Not given but earned Takuboku’s tanka Self-improvement Colors of might and sadness The pride of roses in shadow Conquering stress The origin of my journey as a scholar Confucian norm Quality, education, and sustainability Collegiality and the realities of behavior The power of writing Wider availability vs. better preparation The fascination of Japanese poetry A linked verse: the broken conversation A letter to my daughter How poetry emerges from difficulty A marriage of east and west Re-examining the Japanese mind Attention is a basic to any human activity A linked verse: the sudden death Someone is watching you Poetry as qualitative research The professor’s reminiscence A linked verse: winter’s woods A linked verse: the wail of Gaea A shawl of mist A linked verse: winter butterfly About the Author
