"The Poet Li Po" is a captivating collection that brings to life the works of the renowned Tang dynasty poet Li Po, also known as Li Bai. His poetry is celebrated for its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and exploration of themes such as nature, friendship, and the joys of wine. Arthur Waley's translation captures the essence of Li Po's lyrical genius, making it accessible to modern readers. The collection showcases the beauty of classical Chinese poetry and invites readers to immerse thems...

In Zen Buddhism and Its Relation to Art, Arthur Waley explores the profound connections between Zen Buddhist philosophy and artistic expression. The work delves into how Zen principles—such as simplicity, spontaneity, and mindfulness—manifest in various art forms, including painting, poetry, and calligraphy. Waley articulates the idea that Zen encourages an aesthetic of direct experience and authenticity, where the artist seeks to convey an immediate perception of reality rather than an id...

The No Plays of Japan is a collection and translation by Arthur Waley that introduces the Western world to the traditional Japanese Noh drama. Noh, a theatrical form that originated in the 14th century, is known for its slow, stylized movements, minimalistic staging, and deep philosophical themes. Waley's translation includes a selection of Noh plays that reflect the spiritual and poetic nature of the genre, often focusing on themes of love, death, and the supernatural.The collection inclu...

Delve into the rich tapestry of Tang Dynasty China with Arthur Waley's The Life and Times of Po Chü-i 772-846. This masterful biography presents an in-depth exploration of the life, works, and historical context of Po Chü-i, one of China's most beloved and influential poets.Arthur Waley, a renowned sinologist and translator, brings to life the vibrant world of 8th and 9th-century China through the lens of Po Chü-i's experiences. Waley meticulously reconstructs the poet's life from h...

The Poet Li Po, A.D. 701-762 presents a compact yet resonant encounter with one of Tang China's most celebrated poetic imaginations, mediated through Arthur Waley's lucid modern translations. The collection gathers lyrics of wine, exile, friendship, moonlight, political disappointment, and ecstatic wandering, revealing a voice at once courtly and untamed. Its range moves from epigrammatic delicacy to visionary expansiveness, situating Li Po within the golden age of Chinese poetry while mak...

Chapters include: Zen Buddhism; Buddhist Sects; Buddhapriya; Later Development of Zen; The Zen Masters; Fashionable Zen; Obaku; Baso; Rinzai; Zen and Art; and, The Rokutsuji School.Books on the Far East often mention a sect of Buddhism called Zen. They say that it was a "school of abstract meditation" and that it exercised a profound influence upon art and literature; but they tell us very little about what Zen actually was, about its relation to ordinary Buddhism, its history, or the exac...

The Poet Li Po, A.D. 701-762, is an evocative anthology that captures the multifaceted essence of one of China's most celebrated poets, Li Bai. Encompassing a range of literary styles, from the lyrical to the prose-like reflections, this collection conveys the depth and diversity of Li Bai's oeuvre. Within these pages, readers encounter the profound philosophical musings, vivid natural imagery, and ethereal insights that defined his life's work, providing a comprehensive view of the Tang D...

In "Zen Buddhism, and Its Relation to Art," Arthur Waley presents a nuanced exploration of how Zen philosophy intricately informs artistic expression. Utilizing a blend of scholarly analysis and lyrical prose, Waley examines the essential principles of Zen'—such as spontaneity, simplicity, and an appreciation for transience'—and how they manifest in various art forms, especially in Japanese culture. His work is contextualized within broader discussions of Eastern philosophies and their imp...

In this unforgettable book, Arthur Waley brings together a number of his articles, poems and translations. Included in this collection are pieces on the eighth-century Chinese poet Ts’ên Shên and the great Chinese prose writer, Han Yü, as well as some of Waley’s original poems and stories. But the most compelling is ‘The Secret History of the Mongols’, consisting of long extracts from a thirteenth-century Chinese saga. Written in vivid, elegant prose, it recounts fantastic tales of epic ba...

The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon is a vivid collection of essays, anecdotes, poems, and personal reflections written during the late 10th and early 11th centuries in Heian Japan. Sei Shōnagon, a lady-in-waiting to Empress Consort Teishi, composed this work around 1002 as a private journal capturing the refined life of the imperial court. The book offers a unique glimpse into court customs, seasonal beauty, social intrigues, and personal opinions, blending sharp wit with poetic grace. Unlike...

A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems is a groundbreaking anthology that introduces Western readers to the rich tapestry of Chinese poetry, showcasing works that span dynasties and genres. The poems, translated with both rigor and poetic sensitivity, reflect the thematic depth and aesthetic complexity of traditional Chinese literature, engaging with themes of nature, philosophy, love, and the passage of time. The literary style embodies a harmony between form and meaning, capturing the lyric...

In "More Translations from the Chinese," Anonymous continues the tradition of bridging linguistic and cultural divides through a meticulously curated selection of translated texts. This collection showcases a diverse array of Chinese literature, ranging from classical poetry to contemporary prose, each presented with a keen sensitivity to the original's intricacies and subtleties. The literary style is marked by clarity and lyrical beauty, reflecting both the aesthetic traditions of Chines...