Hojoki

A luminous translation of the classic Buddhist poem Japan's capital city of Kyoto was devastated by earthquake, storm, and fire in the late 12th century. Retreating from this unkind world, the poet and Buddhist priest Kamo-no-Chomei left the capital for the forested mountains, where he eventually constructed his famous ten-foot-square hut. From this solitary vantage point Chomei produced Hojoki, an extraordinary literary work that describes all he has seen of human misery and his new life of simple chores, walks, and acts of kindness. Yet at the end he questions his own sanity and the integrity of his purpose. Has he perhaps grown too attached to his detachment?

The cheapest new copy of Hojoki is €11.63 at Mondadori Store. Prices checked 9 Nov 2026

More by Chōmei Kamo

More by Chōmei Kamo