Dennis Keene was a poet and translator of Japanese literature, whose work is characterized by a profound understanding and sensitivity to Japanese culture. His original poetic texts often explore themes of identity, cultural exchange, and the beauty of everyday life. Keene masterfully merged his unique poetic vision with his skill as a translator, enriching the literary world with new perspectives. His writing stands as a testament to the enduring connection between East and West.
Exploring the significance of the prose poem in twentieth-century Japanese poetry, this anthology presents a groundbreaking collection that showcases the genre's unique qualities. As the first of its kind in English, it highlights the evolution and cultural impact of prose poetry, originally emerging in nineteenth-century France. This selection offers readers an opportunity to engage with a previously underrepresented literary form, bridging cultural and linguistic divides.
In these two works by contemporary Japanese playwright Yamazaki Masakazu, potent figures from Japan's past illuminate the psychological and philosophical concerns of the twentieth century. Translated here in full are Zeami (1963), based on the life of the great master of the no theater, and Sanetomo (1973), the hero of which is the Kamakura general and poet. The translation by J. Thomas Rimer includes both an introduction, which discusses the plays, placing them in their specific historical contexts, and an interview with Yamazaki, in which the author speaks of his life, work, and the course of Japanese drama over the past decades.