Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Buddhist : Zen / Chan

19th Century

Japan
(East Asia)

Natsume Soseki

Timeline (1867 - 1916)

Poems by Natsume Soseki
Books - Links

Natsume Soseki, Natsume Soseki poetry, Buddhist, Buddhist poetry, Zen / Chan poetry, poetry, poetry

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Natsume Soseki is probably best known as a novelist, sometimes referred to as the Charles Dickens of Japan. He wrote stories with both humanity and an unflinching eye. But he was also a teacher, a cultural critic, a Zen practitioner, and an author of haiku.

Soseki was born in Tokyo and graduated from Tokyo University. He then became a middle school and high school teacher of English language and literature.

In the early 1900's several of his stories were published in serialized form in magazines, establishing his career as a writer.

Around this time, Soseki also started showing signs of tuberculosis, an illness he never fully shook off. This illness and other stresses contributed to a state of depression. To cope with his depression, Soseki began to practice Zen meditation. You can perceive the reflection of his deep practice within his poetry.

Natsume Soseki died at the age of 49.

Poems by Natsume Soseki

	Plum flower temple:
	The lamp once out
	Watch birth and death:

Recommended Books

A Box of Zen: Haiku the Poetry of Zen, Koans the Lessons of Zen, Sayings the Wisdom of Zen, Edited by Manuela Dunn Mascetti / Edited by Timothy Hugh Barrett

Amazon.com

Kokoro, by Natsume Soseki

Amazon.com

Zen Haiku: Poems and Letters of Natsume Soseki, by Natsume Soseki / Translated by Soiku Shigematsu

Amazon.com

Related Links:

	Natsume Soseki http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/ns/soseki.html The complete text of Soseki's novel Kokoro. Many links.
	Natsume Soseki - GreenNet http://www.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp/english/bunjin/natsume_e.htm A good brief biography online.

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Natsume Soseki

Daily Poem Email

Support the Poetry Chaikhana

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World