Living only for the moment, turning our full attention to the pleasures of the moon, the snow, the cherry blossoms and the maples, singing songs, drinking water and diverting ourselves in just floating, floating; caring not a whit for the poverty staring us in the face, refusing to be disheartened, like a gourd floating along with the river current: this is what we call ukiyo.

Asai Ryoi

Tales of the Floating World

More information about this quote

Authentication Score 1

Citation

Asai, Ryoi. 浮世物語 [Tales of the Floating World]. c. 1666, bk. 1, ch. 1.