> Babelio : https://www.babelio.com/livres/Chomei-Notes-de-ma-cabane-de-moine/220799

I wasn't terribly impressed with this work, and I suspect that it is because Japanese verse is gorgeous visually and delightful to the ears- none of which gets translated into English. Having only read this English translation, I am left simply with the content. It is interesting enough, but not terribly engaging. But, if you are interested in Japan at all this is a very influential and important work. ( )

Chōmei was a 12th century court poet whose artistic sense of life morphed a radical path during old age, retreating from the striving of ego which he experienced and observed in court. He saw impermanence and asked what is a good life. Not money, power or status, rather peace and nature. That's the story. In fact he retreated after he lost political backing, was passed over for promotion within the Shinto shrine. He decided to turn his back on society only after he lost the game. A true recluse might gain worldly desires, then give it all up for free. Nevertheless, the power of his words can not be denied reaching across a chasm of time. ( )

A very beautiful, clear, objective view, from late In life, of the uncertainties of man's life In society and on eartn, given the succession of catastrophes, natural and mancaused, that visited the author's country over the centuries. ( )

A finales del siglo XII, Tokio fue devastado por incesantes catástrofes: tornados, terremotos e incendios. Chômei, que acababa de cumplir cincuenta años y rechazado la buena vida del funcionario de la corte por la incierta existencia del poeta, abandona la residencia familiar para vivir en una modesta casa, donde busca libertad para escribir y un mayor dominio sobre su vida. Cinco años después, aquella toma de distancia no parece suficiente. Se muda al Monte Hino, donde construye una diminuta cabaña de apenas tres metros cuadrados, lo justo para dormir, leer, escribir, hacer música y meditar según los preceptos de Buda. Aquella cabaña se convirtió en su universo. A través de la poesía, la imaginación y el vínculo espiritual con la naturaleza que lo rodeaba, el espacio se hizo infinito.