Overview
Chuya Nakahara is widely regarded as Japan's most important modernist poet. A relentless experimenter in form, sound and imagery, he pushed traditional poetic forms toward the freer, more colloquial style that has come to define modern Japanese poetry in the decades since his death.
This new translation of Chuya's two major collections, Goat Songs and Songs of Bygone Days, presents the original Japanese poems alongside English translations by Christian Nagle. A poet and musician himself, Nagle captures with great sensitivity beloved poems such as "Voice of Life":
I'm in search of something, constantly in search of
something. […]
Sometimes I ask, as though kidding myself,
Is it a woman? Something sweet? Or is it honor?
Then my heart screams, It isn't that! It isn't this! It's
neither that nor this!
Then is it a song of the sky—a sky song that echoes,
mornings, through the stratosphere?
This volume includes a detailed introduction to Chuya's life and work by the translator and a foreword by leading Chuya scholar Mikiro Sasaki, along with rare archival photos and extensive notes. It will be treasured by all those interested in Chuya's groundbreaking work and in modern literature generally.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry The Poetry of Chuya Nakahara (Japan's Modernist Master (Free bilingual audio recordings)), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of The Poetry of Chuya Nakahara (Japan's Modernist Master (Free bilingual audio recordings)).