The Tales of the Heike

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Asian, Nonfiction, History, Asia
Cover of the book The Tales of the Heike by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane, Columbia University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane ISBN: 9780231510837
Publisher: Columbia University Press Publication: June 27, 2006
Imprint: Columbia University Press Language: English
Author: Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
ISBN: 9780231510837
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Publication: June 27, 2006
Imprint: Columbia University Press
Language: English

The Tales of the Heike is one of the most influential works in Japanese literature and culture, remaining even today a crucial source for fiction, drama, and popular media. Originally written in the mid-thirteenth century, it features a cast of vivid characters and chronicles the epic Genpei war, a civil conflict that marked the end of the power of the Heike and changed the course of Japanese history. The Tales of the Heike focuses on the lives of both the samurai warriors who fought for two powerful twelfth-century Japanese clans-the Heike (Taira) and the Genji (Minamoto)-and the women with whom they were intimately connected.

The Tales of the Heike provides a dramatic window onto the emerging world of the medieval samurai and recounts in absorbing detail the chaos of the battlefield, the intrigue of the imperial court, and the gradual loss of a courtly tradition. The book is also highly religious and Buddhist in its orientation, taking up such issues as impermanence, karmic retribution, attachment, and renunciation, which dominated the Japanese imagination in the medieval period.

In this new, abridged translation, Burton Watson offers a gripping rendering of the work's most memorable episodes. Particular to this translation are the introduction by Haruo Shirane, the woodblock illustrations, a glossary of characters, and an extended bibliography.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Tales of the Heike is one of the most influential works in Japanese literature and culture, remaining even today a crucial source for fiction, drama, and popular media. Originally written in the mid-thirteenth century, it features a cast of vivid characters and chronicles the epic Genpei war, a civil conflict that marked the end of the power of the Heike and changed the course of Japanese history. The Tales of the Heike focuses on the lives of both the samurai warriors who fought for two powerful twelfth-century Japanese clans-the Heike (Taira) and the Genji (Minamoto)-and the women with whom they were intimately connected.

The Tales of the Heike provides a dramatic window onto the emerging world of the medieval samurai and recounts in absorbing detail the chaos of the battlefield, the intrigue of the imperial court, and the gradual loss of a courtly tradition. The book is also highly religious and Buddhist in its orientation, taking up such issues as impermanence, karmic retribution, attachment, and renunciation, which dominated the Japanese imagination in the medieval period.

In this new, abridged translation, Burton Watson offers a gripping rendering of the work's most memorable episodes. Particular to this translation are the introduction by Haruo Shirane, the woodblock illustrations, a glossary of characters, and an extended bibliography.

More books from Columbia University Press

Cover of the book The Disclosure of Politics by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book The Complete Works of Zhuangzi by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book Faith in Their Own Color by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book American Religions and the Family by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book Teen Movies by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book A Communion of Subjects by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book Chinese Women’s Cinema by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book The Other Cold War by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book Text to Tradition by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book Pakistan at the Crossroads by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book Why America Misunderstands the World by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book Extending Political Liberalism by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book Rescuing Retirement by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book Deathpower by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
Cover of the book Through Vegetal Being by Burton Watson, Haruo Shirane
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy