Kenko Yoshida (lived from about 1283 to 1352) is a monk, and his work Essay in Idleness, original title: Tureduregusa, is categorized as medieval Japanese literature in historical rank.
The title of his work sounds like the collection of some leisurely personal essay of the hermit, for the original title Tureduregusa means: Harvest of leisure, which is a more accurate translation of the title. But his work, in fact, is not just an essay which collected a fragment of his ordinary life. What is written here is not just things that popped into his mind, but he responds to various mysteries happened in his life; therefore, it is more like a notebook of Kenko's discovery.
Since it is written in old Japanese, it is difficult for interpreting original. In that respect, the English edition is explanatory and easier to understand. However, the splendid rhythm which is the biggest appealing point of this work became compromised due to the work of translation.
Now, let's start with a preface.
What a strange, demented feeling it gives me when I realize I have spent whole days before this inkstone, with nothing better to do, jotting down at random whatever nonsensical thoughts have entered my head.
In this preface, I must point out the expression "demented feeling" as one of the controversial words. Comparing Seishonagon's essay "Hateful Things" which was written in around 1000, Kenko's era is slightly shifting to modern language. However, it is still old Japanese literature, and I have to pose the question on the translator's choice of words, "demented feeling". The translator took the original words as completely modern Japanese.
Although Kenko lived Kamakura period, around the 14th century, his use of words intentionally sounds like previous period, what is called Heian period, around the 12th century. I would explain the more detail of which part would actually have the sound of the Heian period in the other article in my blog. The word is frequently used in other contemporary and earlier works in the meaning of "reflecting on the foolishness what he/she has done in the past", and according to the old Japanese dictionary, it means "viewing something absurd".
To be continued on Part 2
