*big gasp*

I think you are the first human being I came across who has read the poetry of Robert Graves!

I just did a quick search and apparently there is an academic book of poetry + criticism on Robert Graves. You can order it from BK1 as they ship overseas:

http://www.bk1.jp/product/01712999

I did the same search on Amazon.co.jp but it seems to be out-of-stock. There are second-hand sellers there but they only ship to Japan.

If you absolutely must get that book (beware that it may be more on the academic criticism side than a book of translation per se), let me know if you encounter any difficulties. There are other ways I can send a copy to you in Germany.

If you don’t mind, may I ask why Japanese? And which one of his poems are you setting to music?

My favorite is “Time” and I would love to hear it set to music:

“The vague sea thuds against the marble cliffs
And from their fragments age-long grinds
Pebbles like flowers.

On the vague weather wanders in the fields
And up spring flowers with coloured buds
Like marble pebbles.

The beauty of the flowers in Time, death-grieved;
The pebbles’ beauty too is Time,
Life-wearied.

It is easy to admire a blowing flower
Or a smooth pebble flower-life freaked
By Time and vagueness.

Time is time’s lapse, the emulsive element coaxing
All obstinate locks and rusty hinges
To loving-kindness

And am I proof against that lovesome pair,
Old age and childhood, twins in Time,
In sorrowful vagueness?

And will I not pretend the accustomed thanks:
Humouring age with filial flowers,
Childhood with pebbles?”

I am searching for some poems of Robert Graves translated into japanese language. – Have poems of Robert Graves ever been translated into japanese language and how to get those?

As I am a german musician, producing electronic music I work on an album dedicated to Robert Graves: setting his poetry to music.

I try to find people from all around the world to read his poems. This recorded spoken word will be put into my music then.

It is hard to find something in Japanese.

Happy for any help on that topic:

Regards
Bernhard
(The Palatin Project)