Chinese and Japanese Poetry and its Influence on Poets Jorge Carrera Andrade and Rubén Astudillo

Abstract

This article approaches the influence exerted by Chinese and Japanese poetry over Ecuadorian poets Jorge Carrera Andrade and Ruben Astudillo. Despite the difficulties existing when translating poetry, a process which hinders access to poetry written in foreign languages and, despite not being able to offer an overview of contemporary Chinese poetry -due to the breadth and variety of authors that make part of its different stages and styles-, the author points out some features that characterize the millenary poetry of the two Asian countries, which features are also present in the poetry created by the aforementioned Ecuadorian authors: humanism, an intense love for nature, subtle eroticism, universal love, among others. Both poets had vital experiences in Japan and China, respectively. The article recognizes Japanese poetry as the most influential in Latin America, since haiku has captivated our baroque sensibility due to the way it contrasts against the brevity and conciseness of these Japanese poems, as can be seen in the beautiful micrograms composed by Jorge Carrera Andrade.