Collections

A thousand readers, a thousand Hamlets.

Standing on the gaudy streets of Kabukicho, I couldn’t find Lü Mingfei’s trio; walking through Meiji Jingu, I didn’t see a wedding either.

Those who long for antiquity, return to antiquity! Those who wish to leave the world, leave! Those who want to ascend to heaven, ascend! Those whose souls wish to depart the body—go quickly!

Everyone sings the praises of Jiangnan; travelers should grow old there. Spring water greener than the sky; sleeping on a painted boat in rain. The riverside girl is moon-bright; her wrists pale as frost and snow. Grow not old before returning; returning would break the heart.