Yoshiwara Festival by John Gould Fletcher
The poem describes a night festival in the Yoshiwara district of Tokyo, where geishas and courtesans gather to entertain clients. The scene is set against a backdrop of cherry blossoms and lanterns, with the sound of shamisen music filling the air. The speaker observes the beauty and sensuality of the women, but also notes their melancholy and resignation to their fate as objects of desire.
By John Gould Fletcher · First published 1922 · Genre: Poetry, Imagism, Symbolism · 44 words
First lines
The green and violet peacocks With golden tails Parade.
Beneath the fluttering jangling streamers They walk Violet and gold.
The green and violet peacocks Through the golden dusk Showered upon them from the vine-hung lanterns, Stately, nostalgically, Parade.
What this Textopian page supports
Yoshiwara Festival is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Gould Fletcher, dated 1922 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Gould Fletcher
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Imagism, Symbolism, Modernism, Lyrical
- Length: 44 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
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- Work identity for Yoshiwara Festival by John Gould Fletcher
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is characterized by its use of verse, imagery, and lyrical language.
- Imagism — The focus on vivid imagery and precise language aligns with the principles of Imagism.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as peacocks and colors, conveys deeper meanings and emotions.
- Modernism — The work reflects modernist themes of fragmentation and a departure from traditional forms.
Tags
Japanese Culture · Literary Fiction · Historical Novel · Romance · Tragedy · Social Commentary · Class Structure · Prostitution · Geisha · Traditional Japan · 19th Century · Imperialism