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Essays

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54 items

  • Essays

    An Essay on “Tango of the Red Shoes”

    Author: Seishu HamanoPublished on this site: Japanese text with English commentary

    Seishu Hamano reads a young dancer’s life through “Tango of the Red Shoes,” connecting the song’s imagery with early postwar Japan. Includes the original vertical, colour manuscript and Japanese text with English commentary.

  • Essays

    Reflections on Romanticism

    Online Manyo-shu: Volume 1Published on this site: Full English translation available

    An essay on romanticism, creativity and the power of language, including poems by Emily Dickinson in English alongside the Japanese translations retained from the original article.

  • Essays

    Today Is Finally Here…

    Author: Seishu HamanoOnline Manyo-shu: Volume 1Originally published: Prose translated; quoted poems remain in Japanese

    A message to Jun Hayama ahead of a Bon dance appearance, accompanied by four tanka on song, family and memory.

  • Essays

    Romantic Poems by Princess Nukata, Akiko and Narihira

    Author: Seishu HamanoOnline Manyo-shu: Volume 1Originally published: Prose translated; quoted poems remain in Japanese

    A reading of love and longing in poems by Princess Nukata, Yosano Akiko and Ariwara no Narihira, with discussion of later interpretations.

  • Essays

    Blue Rain / The Outcry of Surrealism and Dada

    Author: Seishu HamanoOriginally published: Japanese text

    Japanese and English essays consider Dada, war and political power. The two texts develop the theme differently rather than forming a complete parallel translation.

  • Essays

    Ryokan’s Poems of Affection

    Online Manyo-shu: Volume 1Originally published: Prose translated; quoted poems remain in Japanese

    An essay tracing Ryokan’s life as a monk and poet and examining poems of affection and exchange.

  • Essays

    The Background to a Parting

    Online Manyo-shu: Volume 1Originally published: Prose translated; quoted poems remain in Japanese

    A reading of Night Platform explores wartime departure, loss and the emotional setting of a farewell song.

  • Essays

    A Woman’s Life Journey

    Online Manyo-shu: Volume 1Originally published: Prose translated; quoted poems remain in Japanese

    An interpretation of Red Shoes Tango considers a young woman’s desire and hardship against the social setting of early postwar Japan.

  • Essays

    Hot-Spring Town Elegy and the Japanese after the War

    Online Manyo-shu: Volume 1Originally published: Prose translated; quoted poems remain in Japanese

    An interpretation of Hot-Spring Town Elegy relates its longing and separation to the circumstances of postwar Japan and the continuing performance of Koga’s songs.

  • Essays

    Songs of Heartbreak: Noriko Awaya and Jun Hayama

    Author: Seishu HamanoOnline Manyo-shu: Volume 1Originally published: Prose translated; quoted poems remain in Japanese

    An essay reflects on the emotional delivery of songs of parting, combining memories of Noriko Awaya with observations of Jun Hayama’s performances.