The Poetry Contest in Six Hundred Rounds: A Translation and Commentary (2 vols)

This complete translation and commentary of The Poetry Contest in Six Hundred Rounds provides a window onto one of the key texts for understanding C12th Japanese poetry, poetics and critical practice for the first time. Contents 6 Acknowledgements 8 Translations and Abbreviations for Major Poetry Anthologies 11 Volume 1 14 Introduction 14 The Poetry Contest in Six Hundred Rounds 64 The Poetry Competition of One Hundred Poem Sequences, Held at the House of the Major Captain of the Left 66 Spring I 75 Spring II 124 Spring III 171 Summer I 216 Summer II 273 Autumn I 318 Autumn II 367 Autumn III 413 Winter I 463 Winter II 511 Love I 551 Love II 594 Love III 633 Volume 2 680 Love IV 680 Love V 723 Love VI 768 Love VII 813 Love VIII 875 Love IX 924 Love X 970 The Six Hundred Round Appeal 1016 The Six Hundred Round Appeal 1018 Appendix 1: Results by Team 1210 Appendix 2: Competition Poems by Poet 1215 Appendix 3: Results by Poet 1220 Glossary of Critical Terms and Translations 1221 Bibliography 1224 General Index 1233 Index of First Lines 1245 Index of Poems 1281 Index of Poets 1302 "For the monumental Poetry Competition in Six Hundred Rounds (Roppyakuban uta'awase), twelve poets each provided one hundred waka poems, fifty on seasonal topics and fifty on love, which were matched, critiqued by the participants and judged by Fujiwara no Shunzei, the premiere poet of his age. Its critical importance is heightened by the addition of a lengthy Appeal (chinjō) against Shunzei's judgements by the conservative poet and monk, Kenshō. It is one of the key texts for understanding poetic and critical practice in late twelfth century Japan, and of the conflict between conservative and innovative poets. The Competition and Appeal are presented here for the first time in complete English translation with accompanying commentary and explanatory notes by Thomas McAuley."-- Provided by publisher