One day to become Argonauta hians

Japanese poet living in France translates Chinese poetry in plain words from unique aspect with french taste. Chinese poetry encounters French culture and Japanese language in this book.

Chinese poetry is difficult to get along with a bit and there is no chance to touch it after graduating from high school.  We tend to stay away from them as even Japanese people need some signs and rules to understand. Those themes picked for text book seem boring so that young people find it hard to enjoy.

However, this author freely and randomly chooses Chinese poetry and translates in Japanese adding French essence. Themes are broad extent from history, nature to foods. The author names this book "handbook of Chinese poetry" as a sub title because she lines up poems coming up from time to time. Each chapter is independent and easy to read like an essay as the author says that poetry is living thing like octopus so they shouldn't be in frame of theme. It surprised me that Toho who is Chinese poet wrote about "how beans noodle are delicious". I've never imagined such a severe person endlessly sings about NOODLE... Inspired this song, the author enjoys to cook fettechine (pasta) in French apartment. That is really exquisite way to mix French living and Chinese poetry. I like how the author depict. She also says, "truth of water is sense to touch youth and softness in the world." in a certain part.

One more thing to mention, the author thinks poems are for all people. She criticizes people who parades profound knowledge of history, tradition or culture to speak about Haiku. It is said showing off cultural capital that we have now is crazy despite existing people who don't have. Therefore she always stammers to answer a question of "what is essence of Haiku" to let interviewer think "oh, such a person creates Haiku...". It could be a good entry to Haiku's world.

Hospitality of this book is not to guide, not to interfere and let it be. I think you can enjoys this book as you like.

Book:いつかたこぶねになる日：漢詩の手帖（小津夜景）