Wayfaring Poet Profile: Kamo no Chōmei
In this episode of The Poet’s Dreamingbody, we explore a Wayfarer from early Japan, Kamo no Chōmei (1155-1216), a townsman-turned-Buddhist hermit-poet, who eventually became a mountain recluse. In addition to his own poetry published as Kamo no Chōmei-shu, and two other texts, the Mumyōshō (a treatise on poetry) and Hosshinshū (a collection of tales about wandering holy people and hermits), Chōmei is the author of the famous Hōjōki: Record of a Ten Foot Square Hut.
BOOKS MENTIONED
Hōjōki: Visions of a Torn World, translated by Yosubiko Moriguchi and David Jenkins
Four Huts: Asian Writings on the Simple Life, translated by Burton Watson
Hōjōki: A Hermit’s Hut As Metaphor, translated and annotated by Matthew Stravos
Kenkō and Chōmei: Essays in Idleness and Hōjōki, translated by Meredith McKinney
SOUNDSCAPES
Sacred Mountains, Louigi Verona
Shingetsu, Bronwyn Kirkpatrick
Kitsune, Jarguna and Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos
Wayfaring Poet Profile: Kamo no Chōmei
I really enjoyed this episode. I especially enjoyed hearing the distinctions between hermits and recluses. Now there is no doubt about my own status...And the very homey quality of the poetry was heartwarming. Thank you!