Love Poems By Ono No Komachi And Izumi Shikibu: Women Of The Ancient Court Of Japan

Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu were two of the most celebrated female poets of the Heian period in Japan (794-1185). They lived during a time when women were largely confined to the inner quarters of the imperial court, and their poetry provided them with a rare opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about love, loss, and longing.

The Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi anmd Izumi Shikibu, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan (Vintage Classics)

by Jane Hirshfield

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2466 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	240 pages

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Ono no Komachi was born in 825 to a noble family in Kyoto. She was a renowned beauty, and her love affairs were the subject of much gossip and speculation. She was also a talented poet, and her work is characterized by its passionate intensity and its use of vivid imagery.

Izumi Shikibu was born in 973 to a family of lesser nobility. She was married at a young age to a man who was much older than her, and she spent much of her life in unhappy marriages. She was also a talented poet, and her work is known for its elegance and its exploration of the complexities of human relationships.

The love poems of Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu are some of the most beautiful and moving in all of Japanese literature. They offer a glimpse into the lives of two women who lived in a time when women were largely confined to the inner quarters of the imperial court. Their poetry provides a rare opportunity to hear the voices of women who were often silenced, and it offers a glimpse into the rich and complex world of Heian court culture.

Ono no Komachi's Love Poems

Ono no Komachi's love poems are characterized by their passionate intensity and their use of vivid imagery. She often writes about the pain of unrequited love, and her poems are filled with longing and desire.

One of her most famous poems is "The Longing of the Heart":

My heart is filled with longing, Like a river that flows without ceasing. I cannot bear to think of you, And yet I cannot forget you.

This poem perfectly captures the pain of unrequited love. The speaker's heart is filled with longing, and she cannot bear to think of her beloved. Yet she also cannot forget him, and she is consumed by her desire for him.

Another of Ono no Komachi's famous love poems is "The Cherry Blossoms":

The cherry blossoms are falling, And my heart is filled with sadness. I think of you, my beloved, And I wonder if you are thinking of me.

This poem is a beautiful meditation on the transience of life. The cherry blossoms are a symbol of beauty and impermanence, and the speaker's sadness reflects her realization that all good things must come to an end.

Izumi Shikibu's Love Poems

Izumi Shikibu's love poems are known for their elegance and their exploration of the complexities of human relationships. She often writes about the joys and sorrows of love, and her poems are filled with insight and wisdom.

One of her most famous poems is "The River of Love":

The river of love is wide and deep, And I am but a small boat. I am tossed about by the waves, And I do not know where I will land.

This poem is a metaphor for the journey of love. The river represents the unpredictable and often tumultuous nature of love, and the speaker's small boat represents her own vulnerability. The poem is a reminder that love is not always easy, but it is always worth the journey.

Another of Izumi Shikibu's famous love poems is "The Willow Tree":

The willow tree bends in the wind, And I think of my beloved. He is far away, And I miss him dearly.

This poem is a beautiful expression of longing and desire. The speaker's beloved is far away, and she misses him dearly. The willow tree is a symbol of resilience and hope, and it reminds the speaker that even though her beloved is far away, he is still in her thoughts.

The Legacy of Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu

Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu are two of the most important poets in Japanese history. Their love poems are some of the most beautiful and moving in all of Japanese literature, and they have inspired generations of poets and readers.

The legacy of Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu is one of love, loss, and longing. Their poems offer a glimpse into the lives of two women who lived in a time when women were largely confined to the inner quarters of the imperial court. Their poetry provides a rare opportunity to hear the voices of women who were often silenced, and it offers a glimpse into the rich and complex world of Heian court culture.

The Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi anmd Izumi Shikibu, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan (Vintage Classics)

by Jane Hirshfield

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2466 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	240 pages

FREE