JAPANESE PERIOD

(1941 - 1945)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when the Philippineswas

again conquered by another foreign country, Japan. Philippine literature in English
came to a halt.

The stride and growth of the Philippine literature in English language and the development of
Philippine literature in general was interrupted during the Japanese period. The Japanese
censured all publications except Tribune and Philippine Review.

During the Japanese period, Philippine Literature in English was stopped and writers turned to
writing in Filipino. The Japanese authorities, with extreme hate to the Americans, did their best
to turn the Filipinos’ sympathy away from them. They rewarded handsomely the Filipinos who
are faithful to them.

In prose literature, the weekly Liwayway Magazine was put into strict surveillance and was
managed by a Japanese named Ishiwara. The Japanese language, Nippongo was introduced but
not well-embraced by the Filipinos despite it is being forcefully taught by the Japanese. With the
prohibition of writing literary pieces in English language, Filipino literature was given a break.
Many Filipino writers wrote plays, poems, short stories, etc. in the Tagalog and other vernacular
language. Topics and themes were often about life in the provinces to escape Japanese control
and censorship.

Philippine literature poems

The favorite topics of haiku writers include nature, love, patriotism,
nationalism, friendship and the human emotions while Tanaga poems are written about
nature, seasons, love,sadness and other strong emotions.On the other hand, while poetry and
short story flourished during this period, the dramaexperienced a break because movies
showing American films were prohibited and movie housesshowing them were closed. Big
movie houses were regulated to stage shows and English playswere translated to Tagalog.

Haiku is a poem of free verse of Japanese origin. It has 17 syllables divided into 3 lines. The
first has 5 syllables, second has 7, and the third has 5 syllables. The famous haikus that were
penned by the early Japanese haiku masters such as Bashō, Issa, Buson and Shiki. To know more
about Haikus.
Haiku normally features allegorical meaning. It is usually short but it covers a wide scope. The
favorite topics of haiku writers include nature, love, patriotism, nationalism, friendship and the
human emotions.

Haiku samples
Tagalog English

Tutubi Dragonfly

Hila mo’y tabak, -5- You pull a saber,

Ang bulaklak nanginig, -7- The flower is shivering,

Sa paglapit mo. -5- Moment you approached.

Anyaya Invitation

Ulilang damo, -5- A lonely grass,

Sa tahimik na ilog, -7- By the edge of the river,

Halika, sinta. -5- Come with me, my love.

On the above sample haikus, you notice that the 5-7-5 syllable count for the Tagalog original is
not faithfully followed by the English translation. However, when you craft your own haikus
later, you will be using English as the medium. You may refer to the instructions by reading
“Haiku and Tanka Writing” section located below.

Tanka
Tanka poem is very similar to haiku but Tanka poems have more syllables and it uses simile,
metaphor and personification. Tanks poems are written about nature, seasons, love, sadness and
other strong emotions. This form of poetry dates back almost 1200 years ago. You can read more
about tanka by clicking here.

The 31 syllables are divided into 5 lines with: first line with 5, second line with 7, third line with
5, fourth line with 7,and the fifth line with 7 as illustrated by the example below:

Winter

Beautiful mountains, -5-

Rivers with cold, cold water, -7-

White cold snow on rock, -5-

Trees over the place with frost, -7-

White sparkly snow everywhere. -7-

FILIPINO SHORT STORY

During the Japanese regime, Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas tradition
andinstead wrote in simple language and free verse. Fiction prevailed over poetry and works
like Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang Pilipino(1943)– compilation of the short story contest
by the military government

Suyuan sa Tubiganby Macario Pineda

Lupang Tinubuanby Narciso Reyes
Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa byLiwayway Arceo.

Because of the restrictions imposed by the Japanese, drama declines however works of a few
of the playwriters

Jose Ma. Hernandez’s PANDAY PIRA,

Francisco Soc Rodrigo’s sa PULA, SA PUTI
Clodualdo del Mundo’s BULAGA (an expression in the game Hide & Seek)
Julian Cruz Balmaceda’s SINO BA KAYO?, DAHIL SA ANAK, a n d HIGANTE NG
PATAY were shown.

After liberation from the Japanese, the Filipinos have finally begun to express
themselvesindependently without fear of censure. Most themes of the Philippine Literature
revolves aroundcruelties experienced during Japanese occupation, the bleak life under the
Japanese governmentand the courageous deeds done guerillas. However, writers gradually
gained a better knowledgeof their craft and enjoyed political activism. In the early 1970s, the
theme about nationalism wasemphasized by young and aspiring writers while revolutionary
form of literature attacked the illsof the society. With the Japanese no longer in control, venues
where provided with the purpose ofreviving traditional drama and in creating original plays.
Common characteristics of Philippine Literature during this period are
a b o u t romanticism, nationalism, independence, nature and expression of feelings.
Poems’ themeusually dealth with love of nature, and social and political problems