East Asian Literature as an Art form Inspired and Influenced by Nature

English 8 Learning Module

Quarter II

The world continues to evolve in terms of technology, connectivity, youth development,

and industry, among other things. People are confronted with a variety of advantages as
well as challenges as a result of these changes. Changes stimulate people's interest,
sometimes to the expense of their well-being. Development can be harmful to the
environment at some point. This may imply sacrificing natural resources to meet
people's needs. The environment is a fertile ground not only for businesses but also for
personal development. The beauty of nature inspires the creation of literary works. Did
we see any significance in valuing nature's existence in our own encounters with it?

The wonders of nature serve as a source of inspiration for many authors when writing
stories, poems, quotes, or plays. They allow these literary works to serve as platforms
for expressing their amusement or sentiments. It enables them to advance their desire
to make society aware of the wonders and importance of nature, as well as its current
state as development continues. This module will examine how authors use their works
to express their feelings about nature. We will look at literary works from East Asia,
which is part of Asia, the world's largest continent and the cradle of civilization.

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

a) Describe the notable literary genres contributed by East Asian writers; and

b) Identify the distinguishing features of notable East Asian poems, folktales, and short
stories
East Asian Literature as an Art form Inspired and Influenced by Nature
English 8 Learning Module
Quarter II

LESSON:

Chinese literary works include fiction, philosophical and religious works, poetry, and
scientific writings. The dynastic eras frame the history of Chinese literature and are
examined one by one. The grammar of the written Classical Language is different than
the spoken languages of the past two thousand years.

Japanese literature examines works of literature such as stories, novels, poetry, and

plays to research the workings of the human condition in Japan.
Korean literature is the body of literature produced by Koreans, mostly in the Korean
language and sometimes in Classical Chinese. For much of Korea's 1,500 years of
literary history, it was written in Hanja. It is commonly divided into classical and modern
periods, although this distinction is sometimes unclear.
Chinese poetry, besides depending on end rhyme and tonal metre for its cadence, is
characterized by its compactness and brevity. There are no epics of either folk or
literary variety and hardly any narrative or descriptive poems that are long by the
standards of world literature.

Japanese haikai is a form of poem consists of three lines and seventeen syllables.
These poems mainly look in areas that relate to nature. They are intense, lack
complication and show open form of expression. The earlier versions of haikai poems
were different but linked verses to form long poems .

Korean poetry originally was meant to be sung, and its forms and styles reflect its
melodic origins. The basis of its prosody is a line of alternating groups of three or four
syllables, probably the most natural rhythm to the language.

East Asian Literature as an Art form Inspired and Influenced by Nature

English 8 Learning Module
Quarter II

Chinese folklore includes songs, poetry, dances, puppetry, and tales. It often tells
stories of human nature, historical or legendary events, love, and the supernatural, or
stories explaining natural phenomena and distinctive landmarks.
Japanese folktales are an important cultural aspect of Japan. In commonplace usage,
they signify a certain set of well-known classic tales, with a vague distinction of whether
they fit the rigorous definition of "folktale" or not among various types of folklore. In a
more stringent sense, "Japanese folktales" refers to orally transmitted folk narrative. 
Korean folktales are a mixture of the beliefs held in Shamanism, Confucianism and
Buddhism. Shamanism started with the dawn of the Korean civilisation. The strong
hierarchal system of Korean people, their connection with nature and their family are
represented in folktales and the lives of Korean people.
East Asian Literature as an Art form Inspired and Influenced by Nature
English 8 Learning Module
Quarter II

FIRM-UP

Your goal in this section is to explore on how different literary pieces continue to
be a living influence up to the present. You read texts from East Asian Literature
specifically texts from China and Japan.

ACTIVITY NO. 1: 4pics 1 word Identify the word reflected by the pictures below and
answer the questions that follow.

C_I_A
East Asian Literature as an Art form Inspired and Influenced by Nature
English 8 Learning Module
Quarter II

ANSWER: What is Chinese

Literature known for?

IRF Worksheet
Share your thoughts in response to the question below. Write your answers in the Initial
Answer portion of the chart.

What influences the content of a literary text?

Initial Answer:

Revised Answer:

Final Answer:
East Asian Literature as an Art form Inspired and Influenced by Nature
English 8 Learning Module
Quarter II

READING 1

Haiku 1
Summer grasses grow
On brave warriors’ splendid dreams ---
The afterglow comes.

Haiku 2
An old silent pond
A frog jumps into the pond, Splash!
Silence again.

ACTIVITY NO. 2: Going beyond the Lines

What idea is expressed in each poem?

Haiku 1

Summer grasses grow

On brave warriors’ splendid
dreams ---
The afterglow comes.

Haiku 2

An old silent pond

A frog jumps into the pond,
Splash!
Silence again.
East Asian Literature as an Art form Inspired and Influenced by Nature
English 8 Learning Module
Quarter II

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:

1. What helped you unravel the meaning of the given haikus?

2. What helped you identify the kigo in each of the haikus?

Haiku 1

Haiku 2

3. Why should one be familiar with the Japanese culture especially in looking at haikus?

4. What makes the kigo in a haiku important?