Annotated Bibliography of Works on Zen Poetry
Bibliography: Japanese Zen Poetry
Henderson, Harold G. An Introduction to Haiku: An Anthology of Poems from Basho to Shiki. Garden City, NY: Doubleday Anchor Books, 1958.
A simple and pleasing introduction to haiku. Translations of an assortment of poems, with useful commentary. The translations are often quite pleasing, although the author has a disconcerting way of adding rhyme. This book does not cover Buddhist influence on haiku.
Hoffman, Yoel. Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Masters and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death. Rutland, Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1986.
pp. 11-88: An introduction to Japanese poetry, and to the cultural meaning of death and death poetry in Japan. pp. 89-129: A collection of death poems by Japanese Zen masters. pp. 131-341: A collection of death poems by haiku poets. All poems are translated into English. Both the translations and the commentary are excellent.
Hoover, Thomas. Zen Culture. New York: Random House, 1977.
I used only chapters one (pp. 3-14) and fifteen (pp. 199-216). Chapter One: An introduction to Zen aesthetics, written for people from a Western culture. Chapter Fifteen: A brief history of Zen's influence on haiku.
LaFleur, William R. The Karma of Words: Buddhism and the Literary Arts in Medieval Japan. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1983.
An insightful analysis of Buddhism's influence on Japanese literature during the early medieval period. Covers poetry, nonfiction, fiction, and drama. Examines both the effects of the Buddhist symbolic structure and the effects of Buddhist philosophy. (I highly recommend this book. It is fascinating and beautifully written. LaFleur explains both Buddhism and Japanese literature with insight and depth.)
Reps, Paul, comp. Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings. Garden City, NY: Doubleday Anchor Books, [1957].
pp. 1-82 Zen stories from China and Japan. pp. 83-129 A collection of Chinese koan, first collected in 1228 CE. pp. 131-155 "Ten Bulls," a commentary on the stages of awareness leading towards enlightenment, illustrated with Japanese woodblock prints. pp. 157-174 A collection of sayings from ancient Sanskrit manuscripts. All texts are in English translation.
Stryk, Lucien, and Ikemoto, Takashi, eds. Zen: Poems, Prayers, Sermons, Anecdotes, Interviews. Garden City, NY: Doubleday Anchor Books,1965.
pp. 1-34 Poems by Zen masters. pp. 35-98 Prayers and sermons of Zen masters pp. 99-134 Anecdotes by and about Zen masters. pp. 135-160 Interviews with Zen masters. All texts are in English translation.
