Essays in Idleness and Hojoki (Penguin Classics)

I haven't read all that much east Asian prose, but I'm starting to suspect that I might over-identify with the overlooked-sensitive-and-ironic-scholar who is unable to find a position in the bureaucracy or hierarchy. Chomei's 'Hojoki' is a charming little piece about living the simple life and so on, but rather undermined by the fact that, in order to live the simple life, you have to be independently wealthy. Kenko's 'Essays,' on the other hand, are an absolute delight. There's nothing I like quite so much as people who are willing to hold their own most deeply held beliefs to the standards of their beliefs--here, that leads to 'kill the buddha' kind of things. I also like people who: * like autumn rather than spring. * pay attention to language. * say things like "the testament to our birth in the human realm should be a strong urge to escape from this world. Surely there can be nothing to distinguish us from the beasts if we simply devote ourselves to greed." * or "things that are not unpleasant in large amounts are books on a book cart, and rubbish on a rubbish heap." * or "the best things are those that have a somewhat antique air, are unpretentious and are inexpensive but well made." * or "if you run about the streets pretending to be a madman, then a madman is what you are." * or "it is cruel to make people suffer and drive them to break the law, then treat the poor creatures as criminals." * or "Phenomena and their essence are intrinsically one." * list all the terrible consequences of drinking for a few pages... then say there's nothing quite so pleasant as drinking with a friend. * being very intelligent, are aware of their own limitations, but do not therefore consider themselves to be as bad as everyone else. If the world were rather more full of Kenkos, I'd be much happier in it.

A must read for anyone interested in Buddhism or the history of it. Specifically Kenko's essays illuminate medieval Japan in the throws of constant change along wirh its court customs, drunk monks, cherry blossoms and a restless seeking of simplicity. The picture that Kenko paints beautifully in his short essays reveals an embedded philosophy within his writing that is entirely his own.

I have been studying Eastern philosophy for almost twenty years, so I was naturally drawn to this volume, which brings together two related though differing texts written by Buddhist monks. _Essays in Idleness_ and _Hojoki_ will delight enthusiasts of classical Japanese literature and/or of Buddhism. The fact that these texts are more or less neglected (when compared to, say, _The Pillow Book_, _Tales of Ise_, or _The Tale of Genji_) makes for an even more pleasant surprise. The book opens with _Hojoki_, a 14-page memoir/meditation written by Kamo no Chomei in 1212. The author chooses the image of a flowing river as a starting point. Our lives are like this river, impermanent, and like the bubbles formed by the stream, fragile, transient. Chomei describes the devastation brought about by fires, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. We may accumulate wealth and build luxurious houses; it is all the same, as human life is a bubble, a mirage. The spirit of the text is the same as that of the book of Ecclesiastes: all is vanity and chasing the wind. I was also reminded of Anne Bradstreet’s famous poem about the burning of her house, and in the second half of the text, of Thoreau, praising the contemplative, quiet life of the lonely hut-dweller. Readers familiar with Buddhist texts will recognize Chomei's imagery. “See this body, as fragile and transient as foam” (4.3), we read in the _Dhammapada_, which offers the Buddhist worldview in a nutshell; “the royal chariots surely come to decay / Just as the body, too, comes to decay” (11.6); there is “no galloping river like craving” (18.17); “death carries the unaware man away, / […] Much as a rampaging flood engulfs a sleeping village” (20.15). “This world,” says Chomei, “is a hard place to live, and both we and our dwellings are fragile and impermanent. […] Follow the social rules and they hem you in; fail to do, so and you are thought as good as crazy. Where can one be, what can one do, to find a little safe shelter in this world, and a little peace of mind?” (12). His answer was to retire to a 10x10 ft. hut he built himself, in which he wrote his observations on the precariousness of the human condition. The last paragraph provides an interesting twist as Chomei evaluates and interprets his own assessment of his present situation. Though dark and world-weary, _Hojoki_ is an inspiring paean to the simple life. It will speak to many readers in an age when the media creates more and more “needs” for us, even as more than half the world struggles to procure its basic human needs. Yoshida Kenko is a more complex, ambiguous author. Dating from the 1330s, _Essays in Idleness_ conveys the Buddhadharma, but it also offers sensory descriptions and/or comments that undermine traditional Buddhist mores. This 120-page collection of impressions, opinions, and anecdotes is in dialogue with Sei Shonagon’s _The Pillow Book_ (see my review of the Penguin edition, also translated by Meredith McKinney). Kenko, in fact, makes reference to this book, and to _The Tale of Genji_ and _Tales of Ise_ (see my review), the major works of Heian literature. Like Sei, Kenko claims his work is not meant to be read: “I let my brush run on like this for my own foolish solace; these pages deserve to be torn up and discarded, after all, and are not something others will ever see” (30). The mood, like that of _Hojoki_, is mono no aware. "At times of quiet contemplation," Kenko writes, "my one irresistible emotion is an aching nostalgia for all things past” (35). The human heart is as delicate as a flower, “a fluttering blossom gone before the breeze’s touch" (34). The best way to spend one’s life, according to Kenko, is to retire from worldly affairs and to live the present moment to its fullest. The present moment may appear to have little value, like a single coin, but by accumulating present moments lived in awareness, one becomes rich (74). Kenko, however, often surprises the reader with ideas or advice that are contrary to Buddhist teaching. This is where he differs from the more traditional, conservative Chomei. For instance, immediately after denouncing alcohol like a true Buddhist, Kenko writes: “Yet, loathsome though one finds it, there are situations when a cup of sake is hard to resist. […] All things considered, a drunkard is so entertaining he can be forgiven his sins” (107-108). Even more surprising are his views on relationships between men and women. A man should not marry, Kenko says; people inevitably grow bored of their partners, but “it keeps the relationship fresh to just drop in from time to time on impulse and spend the night” (115). One has to wonder about Kenko’s motives from withdrawing from society. Was he seeking enlightenment, or was he merely cynical? But while cynicism, and even misanthropy and misogyny, rear their ugly heads occasionally, _Essays in Idleness_ contains much wisdom. In one of my favorite passages, Kenko recommends choosing the most important thing and dedicating oneself to it. One must be like the go player, who sacrifices the small in favor of the large. “The urge to cling to one thing while grasping for another will cause the loss of both” (113). Personally, I feel closer in spirit to Chomei than to Kenko, but I found many memorable observations in _Essays in Idleness_. At the same time, I could not help comparing the latter with _The Pillow Book_, which I feel is a superior work. I could not connect with Kenko the way I do with Sei, who is such a fascinating personality. This is the main reason why I am giving this volume four stars instead of five. I praised Meredith McKinney’s work as translator and editor in my review of _The Pillow Book_. Her edition of Kenko and Chomei is equally admirable. Endnotes abound (468 of them, for 140 pages of primary text) but they are brief and to the point; those that clarify references to other literary works are particularly useful, as are those that discuss wordplay. In her brilliant introduction, McKinney considers the authors’ biographies and historical circumstances, the complexities of the concept of aware, and the similarities and differences between Kenko and Chomei. Also included are a drawing of Chomei’s hut, a map, and a timeline of Japanese emperors mentioned in the text, with details about their reigns. _Essays in Idleness_ and _Hojoki_ are jewels of classical Japanese literature. They may not reach the heights of _The Pillow Book_ or the _Tales of Ise_, but they are characterized by the same attention to detail, and they constitute inspiring meditations on the impermanence of the material world. The texts are so rich that virtually all readers will find in them something worth keeping. Next on my list of Asian literature, _Six Records of a Floating Life_, by Shen Fu. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the book!

This book was a wonderful read.

to better understand the Japanese soul...this masterpiece is a must.

Must have for anyone interested in Japanese culture

It is rare for me to reread a book, and almost unheard of immediately after finishing it, but I cound not help myself with this work. The translation is highly readable, and Kenko's short essays are interesting, funny, but most of all highly moving and inspirational

this is a really good book. i can understand the need for all of the notes but it can be interrupting to the general flow of a book. i read the notes up to past the beginning of the kenko section. i was much happier and enjoyed the book much more when i gave up the notes. im not concerned with all those details of the notes at the moment, i just wanted some fresh eastern style wisdom. it delivers heartily on both! to me, the kenko section is much more appealing than the chomei section. chomei almost comes off as bitter and cornered by life at times. he offers bits of wisdom but its mixed with lots of grumpy old man talkings, in my opinion. kenko has a few old man moments, but its mostly thorough wisdom. he creates beautiful scenes in your mind at times about his memories. he really makes you feel like a friend at times. i would like to have a copy of essays on its own, to keep on the shelf and read once a year. it is worth it

Such a rich book. The Introduction was also fascinating, and beautifully written - though I had to read it slowly to appreciate it.

Livro meio enrolado. Comprei por se tratar de 2 budistas. Porém um dos textos, principalmente, é muito disperso, trata de vários assuntos desconexos. Leitura meio chata. Acredito que interesse mais para curiosos sobre a sociedade dessa época.

Confuscious say, good read becomes good enjoyment.

Good book, but some familiarity with eastern way of thinking is necessary to appreciate the work.

great japanese read! light, profound