Albert Camus is considered to be a philosopher of absurdity. But it seems that the concept of absurdity is pretty much misunderstood. Absurdity does not mean that life is meaningless, pointless or... Read More
Where is My Mind: In The Attempt
The Myth Of Sisyphus: In The AttemptAlbert Camusアルベール・カミュ『シーシュポスの神話』日本語訳(Traduction japonaises)
Our day-to-day challenges are really exhausting such as feeling disappointed at the results after all the efforts you made, another problem coming up right after you solved one, tragic incidents... Read More
A Glimpse of Humor: In The Attempt『古今集(古今和歌集)』和歌「よのなかのうきたびごとにみをなげばふかきたにこそあさくなりなめ」英語訳
We are more or less exposed to minor nervous breakdowns on a daily basis. We sometimes feel weary of and overwhelmed by an enormity and gravity of powerlessness or futility. It might be that you... Read More
Life on Hold and Princess Shikishi: In The Attempt式子内親王、和歌「日に千たび心は谷に投げ果てて有にもあらず過る我が身は」英語訳
Take the initiative, make a difference and move your life forward. These seem to be a golden rule of our time. We are forced to stick to it. We are actually able to live it out. Motivational songs... Read More
Astray and Izumi Shikibu: In The Attempt和泉式部、和歌「物思へば沢の蛍も我身よりあくがれ出づる玉かとぞみる」「冥きより冥き道にぞ入りぬべきはるかに照らせ山の端の月」英語訳
Izumi Shikibu(978?-?) is one of the greatest woman poet in Japanese history. She was the contemporary of Murasaki Shikibu, who is best known for her 54-chapter epic novel, the Tale of Genji. Her... Read More
Incompleteness: In The Attempt「巡礼」「ふるさと」「宙ぶらりん」英語訳
Many songs and literary works have been made in any corners on the planet in history by human longing for home. Home is not just tangible but more psychological and the notion of home is... Read More
Pilgrim: In Search of Home若山牧水、和歌「けふもまたこころの鉦をうち鳴らしうち鳴らしつつあくがれていく」英語訳
Bokusui Wakayama (1885-1928) made lots of songs about and on traveling. Many of his waka reflect the underlying notion about traveling: “あくがる (akugaru)”. This verb originally... Read More
Prepared: In Search of Home若山牧水、和歌「幾山河越えさり行かば寂しさの終てなむ国ぞ今日も旅ゆく」英語訳
Bokusui Wakayama (1885-1928) is one of the most popular modern poets. Many of his waka (short poems) were made during his trip around Japan. He knew there is no end in his spiritual journey but he... Read More
Away: In Search of Home室生犀星、『抒情小曲集』詩「ふるさとは遠きにありて思ふもの」英語訳
Here is another great modern Japanese poem. This poem, by Saisei Muro (1889-1962), is from his anthology called “The Lyrical Sketches”. This is also a poem on the concept of... Read More
Coco: In Search of Home島崎藤村、『落梅集』詩「椰子の実」英語訳
This post is going to be another unusual post because I’m going to introduce a Japanese song to give another perspective on the concept of “Home.” The poetry below is originally... Read More