Japanese Literature

Japan is known to be the one of the most progressive countries in the world. Japanese literature adopted its
writing system in the China in which early literature writings were influenced by the Chinese culture and Literature.

Japanese has also two forms of poetry: the haiku and Tanka. Haiku has a syllabic pattern of 575 in which words
were keep simples that deals with themes about nature. On the other hand, Tanka has five syllabic units consisting of 5-
7-5-7-7 pattern. Tanka consists one image or idea about nature.

Drama is the favorite form of amusement in Japan. The three types of drama are the; Noh play, Kabuki and the
Jouri or the puppet play.

Murasaki Shikibu, the author of the “Tale of Genji” is considered to be the pre-eminent literature during the Heian
period however Shikamatsu Monedemon is considered as Japan’s Sheakespears and Jippensha Ikku who wrote
“Jokaidochu Hizakuragi” a mixture of travelogue and comedy is regarded as Japan’s Mark Twain.

Reading 3.6

About the Authors and the Background

Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (une 27, 1850-September 26, 1904) He was an international writer, and was also known with the
Japanese name Koizumi Yakuma he was popular for his book about Japan. Especially his collections of Japanese
Legends and ghost.

A Promise Kept
La Fecadio Hearn
(A Japanese Story)

Expanding Vocabulary

Write the following words on the space provided.

1. Accustomed
2. Cunning
3. Throbbed
4. Treachery

II. exploring the text

1. When did Akana promise to return his brother?

2. What preparation did hasabe do to welcome his brother?
3. Did Akana return on the night on the ninth month?
4. How did Hasabe prove his love for his brother?
5. How did the story end?
6. What Japanese customs and traditions were revealed in the story?

Do this:
Haiku is one of the forms of Japanese poetry, Create your own haiku and present your work in the class.

Example:

Leaves falling fast

Floating across the cool air
Dissolve its beauty