Hojoki: A Buddhist Reflection on Solitude

Imperfection and Transcendence - Bilingual English and Japanese Texts

By: Kamo no Chomei, Matthew Stavros

Narrated by: Brian Nishii

Length: 1 hr and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Discover the tranquil wisdom of Chomei's 13th-century masterpiece, Hojoki, as it unveils the beauty of imperfection and the serenity of a simple life amidst the chaos of existence.

Hojoki is an introspective poem written in the 13th century by the enigmatic Japanese hermit Kamo no Chomei, who as a young man served in the capital as official court poet, but later in life withdrew from society.

Composed in a time of devastating fires, floods, earthquakes, droughts and famines, Chomei's masterpiece reflects on the impermanence of things, expressing life's mysterious beauty and the profound wisdom to be found in nature.

Chomei paints a vivid picture of the chaos and suffering of the human condition. Amidst this turmoil, he discovers an oasis of calm in a simple mountain hut, where he contemplates the virtues of nature and the wabi sabi beauty of imperfection in all things.

In their friends,
People like to find affluence and a ready smile.

Compassion and honesty,
Not so much.

So why not make friends with music and nature instead:
The moon; the flowers?

********

I know my needs,
And I know the world.

I want for nothing,
And do not labor to acquire things.

Quietude is all I desire:
To be free from worry is happiness enough.

This new translation by Matthew Stavros, presented along with the original Classical Japanese, captures the profound serenity of Chomei's writings. His poignant verses serve as timely reminders that amidst the uncertainty of this world, true contentment can often be found in the simple life, in embracing fleeting moments, and in seeking solace in nature's beauty.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Kamo no Chomei (P)2024 Tuttle Publishing

Critic reviews

"This new translation is marked by the literary quality of Stavros's English. Choosing to render Chomei's prose into verse, the English is lyrical and sounds beautiful when read aloud…The text is complemented by beautiful photographs taken by the author around Kyoto." —Asian Review of Books

"The impermanence of the world is a thread that weaves its way through Hojoki. Three other Buddhist themes are used to group the 14 short chapters in Matthew's translation: Suffering, Detachment and Transcendence." —John Dougill: "Writers in Kyoto," author of Zen Gardens and Temples of Kyoto, Japan's World Heritage Sites, and more.

"Chomei's original text follows Stavros' translation to create a fully bilingual edition, and the book includes maps of the ancient capital so that the full scope of the tragedies Chomei records — pestilence, fire, earthquakes, raging winds — can be appreciated by readers, especially those who will draw parallels to their own experiences living amid a global pandemic." —The Japan Times, "Hojoki': The paradox of desire and detachment in recluse literature"