Japanese

Literature
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 NARA PERIOD (710-794)

 Japanese literature traces its beginnings to oral
traditions that was first recorded in written form
in the early century after a writing was
introduced from China.

 The kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters)

 An anthology of myths, legends, and
other stories.
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 Nihon Shoki (Chronicle of Japan)

 The Fudoki (Records of Wind and Earth), compiled by

provincial officials beginning in 713.
 It describe the history, geography, products, and folklore
of the various provinces.
 Man’yoshu ( Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves), an
anthology of 4,500 poems composed by people ranging
from unknown commoners to emperors and compiled
around 759.
 
 Already emerging was a verse form comprising 31
syllables (5-7-5-7-7) known as tanka.
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 Kokin wakashu or kokinshu (Collection of Poems
from Ancient and Modern Times)
 It was the first major literary work written in the kana
writing system.
 HEIAN PERIOD (794-
1185)

 In the resplendent aristocratic culture that thrived in
the 11th century

 Murasaki Shikibu wrote the 54 chapter novel

Genjimonogatari (Tale of Genji)
 Murasaki Japanese writer and
lady-in waiting.
 Tale of Genji is the oldest novel in
the world.
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 Sei Shonagon, wrote Makura no Soshi (Pillow Book)
 Pillow book is a book of observations and musings
recorded by Sei Shonagon during her time as a court
lady to Empress Consort Teishi

 Konjaku monogatari (Tales of a Time that is now Past)

added dimension to literature
 A massive collection of religious stories and folktales
drawn not only from Japanese but also from Indian and
Chinese sources.
 KAMAKURA-MUROMACHI PERIOD
(1185-1573)

 In the latter half of the twelfth century warriors of the
Taira clan (Heike) seized political power at the imperial
court, virtually forming a new aristocracy

 Heike Mono-gatari (Tales of Heike), which depicts the

rise and fall of the Taira with the spotlight on their wars
with the Minamoto clan (Genji)

 Shin Kokinwakashu (New Collection of Poems from

Ancient and Modern Times) an anthology of poetry
commissioned by retired Emperor Go Toba
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 Kamo No Chomei’s Hojoki ( An Account of My Hut)
 Hojoki is a poetic diary by Kamo.

 Yoshida Kenko’s Tsurezuregusa (Essay of Idleness)

 Tsurezuregusa also known as “The harvest of Leisure”

 Shobogenzo (Treasury of the True Dharma Eye) one of

the first Buddhist text written in Japanese rather than
Chinese, mark a major development in Zen thought.
 A remarkable collection of essay
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 Taiheiki (Chronicle of the Great Peace)
 Taiheiki is a Japanese historical epic

 Zeami’s Fushikaden (The Transmission of the Flower of

Acting Style)
 Fushikaden is a brilliant essay on dramatic art
 Also known as the “Kadensho” or “Flower”.
 EDO PERIOD (1603-
1868)

 Around this time the function of literature as a mean of
social intercourse broadened

 Composing Renga (successive linked verses by several

people forming a long poem) became a favourite past
time, and give birth to Haikal (a sort of jocular renga) in
the 16th century

 Matsuo Basho who perfected a new condensed poetic

form of 17 syllables (5-7-5) known as Haiku, an
embodiment of elegant simplicity and tranquility.
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 Genroku era (1688-1704) city of dwelling artisans and merchants
became the main supporters of literature and professional artists
began to appear

 Ihara Saikaku, who realistically portrayed the life of Osaka merchant

 Chikamatsu Monzaemon, who wrote joruri, a form of storytelling

involving chanted lines and kabuki lines

 Yosa Buson composed superb haiku depicting nature

 Ueda Akinari produced a collection of gothic stories called

Ugetsumonogatari (Tales of Moonlight and Rain)