A Tale of Old Japan

Name: A Tale of Old Japan
Author: Alfred Noyes

By Alfred Noyes

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Poetry Romance

About This Book

The poem recounts a lyrical, chaptered narrative about an elderly master painter, his orphaned niece, and a brilliant younger artist whose promise of return inspires the niece's devotion. It traces the younger artist's ascent, the niece's patient waiting, her coerced marriage by the master, and later encounters that reveal broken vows and tragic consequences. Rich visual imagery and painterly metaphors frame themes of love, artistic ambition, betrayal, and the tension between creation and duty, with recurring motifs of sea, willow, and peony sustaining the poem's mournful tone.

About the Author

Alfred Noyes

Alfred Noyes was an English poet and playwright, known for his lyrical style and vivid imagery. Born in 1880, he gained prominence in the early 20th century with works that often explored themes of nature, love, and the human experience. His notable poem "The Highwayman" remains a classic of English literature, celebrated for its romantic narrative and rhythmic quality. Noyes also contributed significantly to the genre of children's literature, as seen in his work "A Tale of Old Japan." Throughout his career, he published numerous volumes of poetry, including "Collected Poems" and "The Flower of Old Japan, and Other Poems," showcasing his versatility and depth as a writer.