Florence

FlorenceThe Italian Renaissance and the Revolution of Knowledge

List of recommended reference books to learn about Florence - A profound world of art, history, and literature, including da Vinci, Machiavelli, and Dante.

In our previous article, we recommended reference books for learning about Rome, Italy, and in this article, we will recommend books about Florence.

Ferenze is a city of flowers where the works of Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and other unspoken masters continue to fascinate people from all over the world.

However, it is surprisingly difficult to understand the history of Florence and how art flourished in this city.

We may know the term "Renaissance art," but when it comes to the actual nature of this art, what was the background of the period in which it reached its golden age?

The more you know about Florence, the more interesting it is! We hope you will find this article useful.
realism (as opposed to nominalism)Indian thought, culture and history

Kautilya's "Pragmatics" - Ancient Indian Machiavellianism! What a thoroughgoing imperialism that should be compared to "The Theory of Monarchs"!

マキャヴェリの『君主論』ではかなりえげつない権謀術数が説かれますが、この『実利論』もかなりのどぎつさです。

The commentary also states, "The author of this book describes every possible tactic a monarch should employ in order to protect his own security, increase his national power, and acquire the territory of others. The examples of espionage activities that are developed throughout the book are among the most noteworthy. In the Indian classics, espionage is given great importance, and even in later works of literature, kings who fail to make proper use of spies are condemned. The use of spies is especially carefully explained, as stated in the following passage.

Reading this book, I do not envy you at all for being born in royalty. No matter how extravagant I may be, I would respectfully give back that right. Maybe Buddha felt that way too.
Rome and DostoevskyTravels in Rome" - Charms of the Theater City of Rome and Pilgrimage to Bernini

(42) What does Dostoevsky, who criticized Roman Catholicism, think of Rome, the temple of beauty and theater city?

We have updated our Rome travelogue 41 times so far.

As I reported in the introduction to this travelogue, I toured Rome with the question, "Although Dostoevsky hated Roman Catholicism, could he not be captivated by St. Peter's Basilica, its main temple, and Bernini's stage art in Rome?

For me, I did not forget Dostoevsky for a single moment during my stay in Rome. I was always with Dostoevsky during my stay in Europe.

So what did Dostoevsky actually think of Rome during his stay?

The truth is that we do not know as Dostoevsky left nothing behind. But even so, I have come to the conclusion that Dostoevsky would have liked but disliked Rome.
Reading PragueDiary of a Monk

24 novels recommended by book-loving monks - a quick look at recommended works at each level from introductory to advanced!

In this article, we will introduce novels that we highly recommend for each level of readers, from beginners to advanced readers.

Basically, the books introduced here are all great books that I recommend with confidence. All of them are extremely interesting works, so please take a look at the linked pages for the books that interest you, regardless of whether they are categorized as introductory or advanced.
Travels in Rome" - Charms of the Theater City of Rome and Pilgrimage to Bernini

(19) Bernini's "David" - Bernini's astonishing concentration and comparison with Michelangelo's "David".

私もボルゲーゼ美術館でベルニーニの魔術に引き込まれた一人です。専門家の石鍋真澄が述べるように、ダヴィデの視線の先には明らかにゴリアテがいます。そして今にも石を投げんとしているのが伝わってきます。その瞬間を私達は目撃しているのです。ベルニーニの彫刻は私たちの現実世界を吹き飛ばしてファンタジー、物語空間に強制的に引き込んでしまいます。この物語性、メッセージ性がベルニーニの真骨頂。２０代前半にして彼はその域に到達していたのでした。恐るべき早熟の天才と言えるでしょう。
Travels in Rome" - Charms of the Theater City of Rome and Pilgrimage to Bernini

(8) The Pantheon was highly praised by Michelangelo Bernini! The highest beauty of Roman architecture is here!

あのミケランジェロとベルニーニが褒め称えたパンテオン。ミケランジェロはサン・ピエトロ大聖堂のドームを設計し、ベルニーニは小パンテオンとも言える傑作サン・タンドレア・アル・クイリナーレ聖堂を生み出しています。

古代ローマ建築の頂点パンテオンはルネサンスにも絶大な影響を与えていました。

ローマ帝国の叡智の結晶たるパンテオン。西暦１２５年頃からずっとこの姿を保っているというのは驚異的としか言いようがありません。あのコロッセオですらもはや廃墟のような姿です。それに対してここは完全に現役のままです。ローマ帝国の技術力には唖然とするしかありません。パンテオンが言語に絶する名建築なのは間違いありません。
FlorenceThe Italian Renaissance and the Revolution of Knowledge

Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence - Visit the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo

２０２２年末、私はヨーロッパを旅しました。そしてその時の体験を『ドストエフスキー、妻と歩んだ運命の旅～狂気と愛の西欧旅行』という旅行記にまとめ当ブログで更新してきました。そしてその旅の中で私はフィレンツェも訪れています。

今回の記事ではそんなフィレンツェの中でも特に印象に残っているサンタ・クローチェ聖堂をご紹介していきます。

この聖堂には錚々たる偉人達のお墓があります。私はこうした偉人達のお墓参りがしたくこの聖堂にやって来たのでありました。特にミケランジェロやマキャヴェリのお墓には強い思いを持って私はお墓参りをしました。