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Essays in idleness : the Tsurezuregusa of Kenkō by Kenkō Yoshida; Donald Keene; ACLS Humanities E-Book (Organization); American Council of Learned Societies is a philosophy book available to read on EtoBox.

What is Essays in idleness : the Tsurezuregusa of Kenkō about?

Despite the turbulent times in which he lived, the Buddhist priest Kenk met the world with a measured eye. As Emperor Go-Daigo fended off a challenge from the usurping Hojo family, and Japan stood at the brink of a dark political era, Kenk held fast to his Buddhist beliefs and took refuge in the pleasures of solitude. Written between 1330 and 1332, Essays in Idleness reflects the congenial priest's thoughts on a variety of subjects. His brief writings, some no more than a few sentences long and ranging in focus from politics and ethics to nature and mythology, mark the crystallization of a distinct Japanese principle: that beauty is to be celebrated, though it will ultimately perish. Through his appreciation of the world around him and his keen understanding of historical events, Kenk conveys the essence of Buddhist philosophy and its subtle teachings for all readers. Insisting on the uncertainty of this world, Kenk asks that we waste no time in following the way of Buddha. In this fresh edition, Donald Keene's critically acclaimed translation is joined by a new preface, in which Keene himself looks back at the ripples created by Kenk's musings, especially for modern readers.

Who reads Essays in idleness : the Tsurezuregusa of Kenkō?

Author

Kenkō Yoshida; Donald Keene; ACLS Humanities E-Book (Organization); American Council of Learned Societies

Publisher

New York: Columbia University Press

Published

1998

Language

EN

ISBN

9780231112550

Category

philosophy

Subjects

Literary Fiction, History, Fiction

Rating

3.9 / 5 (496 ratings)

Updated

2026-03-14