Antologija moderne japanske lirike

This anthology presents a combination of traditional Japanese forms and modern influences that shaped Japanese lyric poetry during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Zlatko Gorjan, a well-known translator and writer, offers in his anthology a selection of poems that show the transition of Japanese poetry from classical forms such as tanka and haiku to modern, freer poetic expressions. The work focuses on the Meiji period (from 1868 onwards), when Japan opened up to the world, and on later periods when Japanese poets adopted Western influences, but retained the unique aesthetic subtlety of their tradition.

The anthology includes poems by many great Japanese poets, such as: Masaoka Shiki: the haiku reformer who gave new energy to this classic form. Yosano Akiko: a poet known for her strong emotionality and expression of the female experience. Hagiwara Sakutarō: one of the pioneers of free verse in Japanese poetry. Takuboku Ishikawa: poet known for introspective and socially engaged tanks.

The book reveals how Japanese poets balance between: Aesthetics of "mono no aware" – melancholic awareness of transience. Western influences - freer lyrics, existential questions, and urbanity. Connections with nature - many poets retain their love for motifs such as cherry blossoms, the sea or the seasons.

Zlatko Gorjan successfully transfers the subtle beauty of the Japanese language into Croatian, keeping the simplicity, rhythm and emotional depth of the original songs. His translation is not only a linguistic, but also a cultural bridge that makes it possible to understand the spirit of Japanese poetry.