Japanese Occupation

1942-1945
 Characteristics
• 1. Tagalog writer started to write in simple language and free verse
• 2. Fiction prevailed over poetry
• 3. 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.
• 4. The Japanese language, Nippongo was introduced but not well-embraced by
the Filipinos despite it is being forcefully taught by the Japanese
 Literature
• 1. Writers were exposed to new literary forms such as Haiku and Tanka.
• A. Haiku- a free verse of Japaneses origin, with 17 syllables divided into
three lines (5-7-5)
• B. Tanka- similar to Haiku but with 31 syllables divided into five lines
(5-7-5-7-7)
• 2. Many Filipino writer wrote plays, poems, short stories, etc. in Tagalog
and other vernacular language.
• 3. Topics and themes were often life in the provinces to escape Japanese
control and censorship
 Notable Works

• 1. Suyuan ng tubigan by Macario Pineda

• 2. Lupang Tinubuan by Narciso Reyes
• 3. Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa by Liwayway Arceo