THE CLASSICAL POETRY OF THE JAPANESE. BY BASIL HALL CHAMBERLAIN, AUTHOR OF “YEIGO HEÑKAKU ICHIRAÑ.” LONDON: TRÜBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL. 1880. [All rights reserved.] PREFACE. IN bringing before the public a subject which, if remote, has at least the merit of novelty, it is the translator's pleasant duty to acknowledge the assistance which has done much to smooth for him the difficulties of an almost untrodden path. From European sources, indeed, little or no help has been derived. But to a native man of letters, Suzuki Tsunemasa, thanks are due for continued aid and counsel during the preparation of the present versions, while the necessary preliminary studies would never have been successfully carried through but for the kind encouragement of the aged poetess Tachibana-noToseko. Writing at a distance from England, and unable personally to supervise the correction of the proofs, the translator must beg the indulgence of Orientalists if any errors should have crept into the spelling of Japanese words. A few of the “Short Odes" and three or four of the longer pieces have already appeared in the pages either of the "Cornhill Magazine" or of the "Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan," and to the President and Council of this Society and to the Editor of that Magazine thanks are due for permission to republish. The chief native works that have been consulted are :— Hiyaku-Niñ Itsu-Shiu Hito-Yo Gatari ("Nightly Con versations on the Hundred Odes by a Hundred Poets"), by Wozaki Motoyoshi. Ise Mono-Gatari Ko-I ("The Old Signification of the Tale of Ise"), by Kamo-no-Mabuchi. Kagura Iri-Aya ("The Damask of the Sacred Songs Penetrated"), by Tachibana-no-Moribe. Kita Riu Yeukiyoku Boñ (“Book of Lyric Dramas According to the Kita Style”). Kokin Wa-Ka Shifu Uchi-Giki (“Memoranda Concerning the Collection of Japanese Odes Ancient and Modern"), by Kamo-no-Mabuchi. Kozhiki Den ("Traditional Commentary on the Records of Antiquity"), by Motowori Norinaga. Kuwañze Riu Yeukiyoku Boñ ("Book of Lyric Dramas According to the Kuwañze Style "). Kuwañzhi Kau ("Considerations on the Pillow-Words"), by Kamo-no-Mabuchi. Mañyefu Kau (" Considerations on the Myriad Leaves"), by Kamo-no-Mabuchi. Mañyefu Kau Betsuki ("Addenda to the Considerations on the Myriad Leaves "), by Kamo-no-Mabuchi. Mañyefu Shifu-Ho Seu ("Gleanings from the Myriad Leaves, a Commentary "), by Kitamura Kigiñ. Mañyefushifu Riyakuge ("Abbreviated Commentary on the Collection of a Myriad Leaves"), by Tachibana-no Chikage. Miyako Meishiyo Dzuwe ("Illustrations of the Sights of the Capital"), by Magakizhima Akisato. Mo-Shio Gusa (" Seaweed "), by Souseki. Nihon Shiyoki ("Notices of Japan "), by Prince Toneri. Nou Kiyau-Gen ("Comic Interludes of the Lyric Dramas "), M.S. Setsutsu Meishiyo Dzuwe ("Illustrations of the Sights of Setsutsu"), by Magakizhima Akisato. Shimotsuke Koku-Shi (" Archives of the Province of Shimotsuke"), by Kahano Morihiro. Shin-Sen Sei-Shi Roku ("Newly Selected Index of Family Names"), by Prince Mata. Utahi Sakushiya Nou Butai Tou Kaki-Tsuke ("Memo randa Concerning Dramatic Authors, the Lyric Stage, &c."), by the Heads of the Nou Families, M.S. Wa-Miyau Ruwi-Zhiu Seu (“ Japanese Words Collected in Categories with Commentary "), by Minamoto-no Shitagafu. Yamato Meishiyo Dzuwe ("Illustrations of the Sights of Yamato "), by Hairañ. Yamato Mono-Gatari Seu ("Commentary on the Tales of Japan "), by Kitamura Kigiñ. Yeukiyoku Shifu-Yefu Seu ("Gleanings from the Lyric Dramas, a Commentary "), by Zhiñkou. IMPERIAL NAVAL COLLEGE, YEDO, September 1880. |