[Large Print Book] Modern Japanese Translation of The Tale of the Heike (Volume 2) (Kyorinsha Large Print Book Series)

3 volumes [Commentary by Shiro Ozaki] "I've loved the Satsuma biwa since I was a child, and as I grew older, I even sang while playing the instrument myself. Of course, there was no way I, tone-deaf, could sing well. But after I turned 30, I happened to meet a teacher of the Oriental Satsuma biwa, and I realized that the magnificent gradations of the Oriental style are in the harmony of the writing, especially the rhythm of the words, and the plot of the story. The basis of the Satsuma Oriental style is a kind of power that directly confronts the sorrow of fate with the body, but at first I found it odd that the majority of the lyrics were based on The Tale of the Heike. However, I later realized that my imagination was actually the opposite, and that the essential essence of The Tale of the Heike was conveyed through the biwa. It seems more accurate to say that "The Tale of the Heike" is a great work that permeates the traditions of medieval culture as Japan's national epic, and it goes without saying, but when it comes to who planned and composed it, no one can make a clear judgment. The author is generally considered to be Shinano no Zenji Yukinaga, but the story's structure, based on the accumulation of emotions, is not just grand or complex, but its free-flowing, unrestrained style suggests that it is far from being a task that could be accomplished by the cooperation of just one or two people. (Omitted) I believe that there is no other Japanese story that is as tragic and moving as this one, shaking the hearts of the common people. In particular, the fact that the Heike nobles are so great Is there anything more pitiful in the world than the sight of a man captured partially alive and dragged around the streets of Kyoto, a city where he had lived in all its glory and made countless memories until he was only half a year old? Of course, The Tale of the Heike is an epic poem with a coherent form that can be said to be perfect, but it can also be said to be unparalleled in the depth of its narrative content, past or present. If it could be translated appropriately, it would surely occupy a global position not only as a Japanese classic, but also as a masterpiece of Eastern literature. The simplicity of its expression and the height of its rhythmic context make The Tale of the Heike fresh even today. As hinted at in the opening prologue, this work is about aligning human destiny with religion. While the story seems to have its own unique perspective and understanding, it goes without saying that it places emphasis on the human relationships that emerge within it, particularly the relationships between authority and temples, and the emotions of the common people in response to war and natural disasters. This, of course, demonstrates the importance of the story as a grand history of customs in the sense that it sheds light on the spiritual elements of medieval Japan. Rather than creating a complete colloquial translation of The Tale of the Heike, I have attempted to achieve my goal by constructing a story that anyone can understand, based on popular beliefs connected to the lyrics of the Heike biwa.

[Included in Volume 2] Volume 5 (From the Capital) Volume 6 (From the Death of the New Emperor) Volume 7 (From the North) Volume 8 (From the Visit to the Temple) Volume 9 [Part 1] (From the Small Morning Worship)