Once again about the “Miraculous Power of Waka”. Setsuwa Tales about Poets in the Jikkinsho

The article deals with the approach to the interpretation of Japanese waka poetry presented in the Jikkinshō collection of setsuwa tales (mid-13th century). The conception of waka in this text proceeds from the words about the miraculous power of poetry in Ki no Tsurayuki’s preface to the Kokinshū a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: N. N. Trubnikova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association of Japanologists 2019-12-01
Series:Russian Japanology Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.japanreview.ru/jour/article/view/13
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Summary:The article deals with the approach to the interpretation of Japanese waka poetry presented in the Jikkinshō collection of setsuwa tales (mid-13th century). The conception of waka in this text proceeds from the words about the miraculous power of poetry in Ki no Tsurayuki’s preface to the Kokinshū anthology (early 10th century). On many examples from the life of Heian poets, the compiler of the Jikkinshō discusses the role of poetry in such spheres as human communication and shintō worship. The compiler examines the relation between various “ways” of realizing one’s talent (waka and kanshi poetry, music, etс). He demonstrates the usefulness of poetic skills in private and public life, the importance of the ability to understand other people’s poetical works and evaluate them judiciously. Relevance and compliance with current circumstances turn out to be the main condition for success in everything that concerns waka, as well as in other worldly affairs.
ISSN:2658-6789
2658-6444