Sand and Pebbles (Paperback)

Robert E. Morrell

ISBN 10: 0887060609 / ISBN 13: 9780887060601

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany, NY, 1985

About this Item

Paperback. Sand and Pebbles presents the first complete English rendering of Shasekishu--the classic, popular Buddhist "Tale Literature" (setsuwa). This collection of instructive, yet often humorous, anecdotes appeared in the late thirteenth century, within decades of the first stirrings of the revolutionary movements of Kamakura Buddhism. Shasekishu's author, Muju Ichien (1226-1312), lived in a rural temple apart from the centers of political and literary activity, and his stories reflect the customs, attitudes and lifestyles of the commoners. In Sand and Pebbles, complete translations of Book One and other significant narrative parts are supplemented by summaries of the remaining (especially didactic) material and by excerpts from Muju's later work. Introduced by a historical sketch of the period, this work also contains a biography of Muju. Illustrations, charts, a chronology, glossary of terms, notes, an extensive bibliography and an index guide the reader into a seldom seen corner of old Japan. Muju and his writings will interest students of literature as well as scholars of Japanese religion, especially Buddhism.Anthropologists and sociologists will discover details of Kamakura life and thought unrecorded in the official chronicles of the age. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780887060601

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sand and Pebbles (Paperback)
• Publisher: State University of New York Press, Albany, NY
• Publication Date: 1985
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0887060609
• ISBN 13: 9780887060601
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Sand and Pebbles presents the first complete English rendering of Shasekishū―the classic, popular Buddhist "Tale Literature" (setsuwa). This collection of instructive, yet often humorous, anecdotes appeared in the late thirteenth century, within decades of the first stirrings of the revolutionary movements of Kamakura Buddhism. Shasekishū's author, Mujū Ichien (1226-1312), lived in a rural temple apart from the centers of political and literary activity, and his stories reflect the customs, attitudes and lifestyles of the commoners.

In Sand and Pebbles, complete translations of Book One and other significant narrative parts are supplemented by summaries of the remaining (especially didactic) material and by excerpts from Mujū's later work. Introduced by a historical sketch of the period, this work also contains a biography of Mujū. Illustrations, charts, a chronology, glossary of terms, notes, an extensive bibliography and an index guide the reader into a seldom seen corner of old Japan.

Mujū and his writings will interest students of literature as well as scholars of Japanese religion, especially Buddhism. Anthropologists and sociologists will discover details of Kamakura life and thought unrecorded in the official chronicles of the age.

About the Author

Robert E. Morrell is Associate Professor of Japanese Language and Literature at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.