JAPANESE

LITERATU
RE:
Cherry Ann M. Sisican BSED-ENGLA 3

THEN AND
 JAPANESE LITERATURE
Japanese literature - most of its history
has been influence by cultural contact
with neighboring Asian literatures, most
notably China and its literature.

Early texts were often written in pure

Classical Chinese or “ Chinese writing”
or a creole language, a Chinese-Japanese
writing.
 ANCIENT PERIOD (710 -
794)
 Also known as the Nara Period.
 The Ancient Period lasted until 894 and was heavily influenced by Chinese
culture.
 Japanese literature traces its beginnings to oral traditions that were first
recorded in written form in the early eighth century after a writing system
was introduced from China.
 The Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and Nihon shoki (Chronicle of
Japan) were completed in 712 and 720, respectively, as government projects.
The former is an anthology of myths, legends, and other stories, while the
latter is a chronological record of history.
 ANCIENT PERIOD (710 -
794)
 The Fudoki (Records of Wind and Earth), compiled by provincial officials
beginning in 713, describe the history, geography, products, and folklore of
the various provinces.
 The most brilliant literary product of this period was
the 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.
 CLASSICAL PERIOD (974 –
1185)
 Also known as the Heian Period.
 In the resplendent aristocratic culture that thrived early in the eleventh
century, a time when the use of the Hiragana alphabet derived from
Chinese characters had become widespread, court ladies played the central
role in developing literature. One of them, Murasaki Shikibu wrote the 54-
chapter novel Genji monogatari (Tale of Genji) in early 11th century, while
another, Sei Shonagon, wrote Makura no soshi (The Pillow Book), a
diverse collection of jottings and essays around 996 .
 Others also wrote diaries and stories, and their psychological portrayals
remain fresh and vivid to present-day readers.
Psychological Portrait
Hiragana alphabet
 MEDIEVAL LITERATURE (1185 –
1600)
 Also known as the Kamakura-Muromachi Period.
 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 (The Tale of the Heike),which depicts the rise and fall
of the Taira with the spotlight on their wars with the Minamoto clan
(Genji), was completed in the first half of the thirteenth
century (before 1219). It is a grand epic deeply rooted in Buddhist ethics
and filled with sorrow for those who perished, colorful descriptions of its
varied characters, and stirring battle scenes.
 MEDIEVAL LITERATURE (1185 –
1600)

 In former times the tale was narrated to the accompaniment of a Japanese

lute. The Shin kokin wakashu (New Collection of Poems from Ancient and
Modern Times), an anthology of poetry commissioned by retired Emperor
Go-Toba, was also completed around this time (ca 1205); it is dedicated to
the pursuit of a subtle, profound beauty far removed from the mundane
reality of civil strife.
 EARLY-MODERN PERIOD (1600 – 1968)

 Also known as the Edo Period.

 Around this time, the function of literature as a means of social intercourse
broadened. Composing renga (successive linked verses by several people
forming a long poem) became a favorite pastime, and this gave birth
to haikai (a sort of jocular renga) in the sixteenth century.
 It was the renowned seventeenth century poet 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.
 EARLY-MODERN PERIOD (1600 –
1968)

 Example of haiku:

“Sunflower”
I feel the sun’s warmth
Baking on my skin, I watch
nest
The flowers reach high.
“A Morning”
Bees nudged the flowers
Babies peeped out of the
One fine crips morning.

“Life”
New growth pushes up
Forcing old, dead things away
0h! Circle of life.
 MODERN PERIOD (1868 -
present)
 Also known as the Meiji Period.
 In the Meiji era, unification of the written and spoken language was
advocated, and Futabatei Shimei 's Ukigumo (Drifting Clouds) in
1887 won acclaim as a new form of novel.
 In poetry circles the influence of translated foreign poems led to a "new
style" poetry movement, and the scope of literary forms continued to
widen. Novelists Mori Ogai and Natsume Soseki studied in Germany and
Britain, respectively, and their works reflect the influence of the literature
of those countries.
 MODERN PERIOD (1868 -
present)
 Soseki nurtured many talented literary figures. One of them, Akutagawa
Ryunosuke, wrote many superb novelettes based on his detailed
knowledge of the Japanese classics. His suicide in 1927 was seen as a
symbol of the agony Japan was experiencing in the process of rapid
modernization, a major theme of modern Japanese literature.
 Naturalism as advocated by Emile Zola dominated Japan's literary world
for the first decade of the twentieth century. This school of literature, as
represented by Shimazaki Toson, is noted for the "I novel," a style of
novel typical of Japan.
The Japanese Literature:
Then vs Now
 Japanese Literature: Then vs Now
Japanese literature has indeed undergone significant changes over the
years. Here are some key differences between traditional Japanese
literature and contemporary Japanese literature:

Themes and Subject

Traditional Japanese literature often focused on themes like honor, loyalty,
nature, and the spiritual world. It often portrayed the lives of samurais,
courtiers, and common people, reflecting the values and aesthetics of
feudal Japan. In contrast, contemporary Japanese literature explores a
wider range of themes, including social issues, identity, modern
relationships, and the impact of technology on society.
 Japanese Literature: Then vs Now
Writing Style and
Language
Traditional Japanese literature, such as haikus, tanka and classical poetry,
was often characterized by concise, refined language and a string emphasis
on symbolism. It had a specific structure and followed established literary
conventions. Contemporary Japanese literature, on the other hand, uses a
more varied writing style, including both traditional and experimental
approaches. It incorporates modern language, colloquialisms, and the
influence of the Western literary techniques.
 Japanese Literature: Then vs Now
Influence of Western Literature

In recent decades, Japanese literature has been significantly influenced by

Western literature and literary movements. Writers now often incorporate
global perspectives and experiment with different narrative techniques,
blending Japanese and Western literary traditions. Many contemporary
Japanese authors have gained international recognition and have been
influenced by western literary movements, such as magical realism and
existentialism.
 Japanese Literature: Then vs Now
Gender Representation

Traditional Japanese literature often portrayed women in limited roles and

highlighted societal norms. However, contemporary Japanese literature has
evolved to address gender inequalities and explore a wider range of
identities and experiences. It also delves into pressing social issues such as
urban alienation, mental health, and inequality.
 Japanese Literature: Then vs Now
Accessibility and
Popularity
While traditional Japanese literature, such as works by Murasaki Shikibu
and Matsuo Basho, has gained international recognition. However, the
language and cultural nuances in traditional works can sometimes make
them less accessible to modern readers. Contemporary Japanese literature
has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Modern Japanese authors,
like Haruki Murakami and Yoko Ogawa, have gained global readership and
have been translated into multiple languages. Contemporary Japanese
literature often addresses contemporary social and cultural issues, making
it more relatable to a wider audience both in Japan and internationally.
MAHABHARAT
A Vyasa, (Sanskrit: “Arranger” or
“Compiler”) also called Krishna
Dvaipayana or Vedavyasa,
(flourished 1500 BCE), legendary
Indian sage who is traditionally
credited with composing or compiling
the Mahabharata, a collection of
legendary and didactic poetry worked
around a central heroic narrative.
 BEST JAPANESE
Murasaki LITERATURE
Shikibu was an educated noblewoman of
Heian period Japan, and author of what most consider to
be the world’s first novel. The Tale of Genji is widely
agreed to be the finest work of literature in Japanese
history, so much so that ukiyo-e artists of the Edo period
dedicated their lives to painting visual recreations of
scenes from Shikibu’s novel in woodblock. Few works are
as revered as The Tale of Genji, which tells the story of an
emperor’s son who is removed from the line of
succession.
THANK
YOU!!!