SHISENDO: Hall of the Poetry Immortals ...

SHISENDO: Hall of the Poetry Immortals by J. Thomas Rimer, Jonathan Chaves, Stephen Addiss and Hiroyuki Suzuki (Weatherhill: $29.95). This elegant collection of essays examines the life and work of the celebrated poet, calligrapher and landscape architect, Ishikawa Jozan (1583-1672). Jozan began his career as a samurai in the service of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Despite his brilliant prospects at court, he withdrew from the shogun’s service and established the retreat of Shisendo, which he christened “The Hall of the Poetry Immortals” for the imaginary portraits of 36 ancient Chinese authors he commissioned. Immured in his exquisite garden, Jozan studied classical Chinese poetry and wrote Japanese verses inspired by their models. He summarized his philosophy in the lines: “With rare books to read, no unending nights;/ this quiet spot is deep within the mountains./ My world is apart from the world of men:/ I don’t concern myself with their ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ ”