This small book is a selection of quotes from Essays in Idleness.

The writer begins the book with this statement:

What strange folly, to beguile the tedious hours like this all day before my ink stone, jotting down at random the idle thoughts that cross my mind …

We are then regaled with a selection of those random thoughts, and quite good thoughts some of them are too.

Although written approx 1330 in Japan, a lot of these thoughts are as relevant today in the wider world as they were back then.   Yes, admittedly, some might be a bit dated and endemic but there are some very timeless thoughts for the modern, wider world to enjoy as well.

There's also a delightful curmudgeonliness to the thoughts, like you're listening to your favourite grand parent having a rant about what's bothering them this week.

I shall certainly get a copy of Essays in Idleness and have a full read of Yoshida Kenkō's thoughts. ( )

A collection of interesting and idle thoughts, funny and strange stories, and beautiful and simple imagery. Some of the opinions given I found very odd and hard to understand, but considering when it was written that's hardly surprising.

I really enjoyed this collections variety. ( )

A collection of interesting and idle thoughts, funny and strange stories, and beautiful and simple imagery. Some of the opinions given I found very odd and hard to understand, but considering when it was written that's hardly surprising.

I really enjoyed this collections variety. ( )

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

If I ever wanted to read a complete collection of random thoughts, I would seriously consider a full edition of Yoshida Kenko's work. The short and long of it is clear, it seems like the author sat down and wrote down everything that came to mind, even if it is completely unrelated to the things discussed on the rest of the page.

I can not say that I enjoyed it. It was too random for me, and some part seemed very dated. Of course, considering it was written in the fourteenth century, it has aged considerably well. However, it was not for me.

This not withstanding, there were some lovely passages about books:
'It is a most wonderful comfort to sit alone beneath a lamp, book spread before you, and commune with someone from the past whom you have never met...'

Little Black Classics #11 ( )

Thoughts of a Japanese artist from the early Middle Ages about the world, human relationships and the complentative buddhist way of life. ( )