Module 5
Module 5
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ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Module 5
JAPANESE LITERATURE
BACKGROUND
● The name “Japan” is based on the Chinese reading of the name “Nihon” or
“Nippon,” which means “Land of the Rising Sun.”
● Largest City: Japan
● Religions: Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism
● Government Type: Constitutional Monarchy with Parliamentary Government
● National Anthem: Kimigayo (The Emperor’s Reign
● Japanese Natural Symbolism: Sakura (Cherry Blossom) and Pheasant (national
Bird)
Family Name
● in Japan, the family name (surname) traditionally comes first, followed by the given
name.
● This naming convention is used in formal situations, documents, and when
addressing
someone respectfully.
Wedding Systems
● Muko: This word can refer to a son-in-law, typically used in the context of a
marriage, and sometimes specifically in traditional settings where a groom joins the
bride’s family.
● Yome: It refers to a daughter-in-law, or the wife of a son in a family. In traditional
Japanese culture, the role of the yome was significant, as she would often take on
household duties, assist with family affairs, and care for her husband’s parents,
especially in multi-generational households.
San-san-kudo
● It is a significant and symbolic part of a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony,
typically held during a Shinto wedding. This ritual involves the bride and groom
drinking three cups of sake, each in a sequence, which signifies the binding of the
couple's union.
● Miko: the maidens who serve “Sake” in red and white dresses.
● The bride and groom proceed to the sanctuary to offer the twigs of “Sakaki”
sacred tree in worship to Gods to end the main part of the wedding ceremony.
Japanese Tea Ceremony
● It is also known as "chanoyu," "sado,” or "the Way ofTea", is a traditional ritualistic
preparation and consumption of matcha (powdered green tea).
● The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called “otamae.”
● Zen Buddhismwas the primary influence in the development of the tea ceremony.
● Tea gatherings are classified as “ochakai” or “chaji.”
● Chakai: a relatively simple course of hospitality that includes the service of
confections, thin tea and perhaps a LIGHT meal.
● Chaji: is more formal gathering, usually with full course meal (kaiseki) followed by
confections, thick tea and thin tea. It will likely last at least four hours.
OTHERS
● Japanese Sport: Judo, Karate-do, Aikido, Baseball, Soccer, Sumo
● Japanese Entertainment: Movies, Movie Posters, Anime, TV Comedy, Manga, Pop
Music, Takarazuka, Pachinko, The Gaming Industry, Game Developers
● Japanese Festivals: S anja Matsuri, Sapporo Snow Festival, Kyoto Gion Matsuri,
Chichibu Festival, and Nagasaki Kunchi
● Japanese Play:three types of drama had been developed to Japan: the Noh Play,
The Joruri or Puppet Play, and Kabuki Play
● Japanese Poetry: P oetry is a favorite among the Japanese. Japanese poems have
a certain suggestive quality, with poet seemingly addressing the reader, “Your heart
must complete the poem.”
● Japanese Literature:One of the major bodies of Oriental literature. It is less
voluminous than Chinese literature but less comparable to Arabic, Persian, and
Indian Literature. It covers the period from 9th Century A.D. to the present.
BELIEFS
Superstitions
● The Number Four (Shi):
o The number four is considered unlucky in Japan because the word for four,
"shi,” sounds the same as the word for death.
● The Number Nine (Ku):
o Similarly, the number nine is considered unlucky because its pronunciation,
"ku," sounds like the word for pain or suffering.
LITERATURE
Ancient Literature
● Kojiki -Japan's oldest surviving chronicle, written in 712 CE, which records
mythology, history, and genealogies of deities and emperors.
● Nihon Shoki -Completed in 720 CE, it is a more detailed historical account of
Japan, written in classical Chinese, covering events from creation to the 8th century.
● Man’yoshu -Japan's oldest poetry anthology, compiled around 759 CE,
containing over 4,500 poems that capture the culture and emotions of the period.
Classical Literature
● Kokin Wakashu: It is an early anthology of Japanese poetry, compiled in 905 CE,
which is one of the "Five Great Classics" of Japanese literature, focusing on courtly
waka poetry.
● Makura no Soshi: It is also known as The Pillow Book, is a 10th-century work by Sei
Shonagon, consisting of essays, lists, and anecdotes offering insights into the Heian
court life.
● Sei Shonagon: It was a Heian-era court lady and author, best known for her work
Makura no Soshi, which reflects her wit and observations of
courtly life.
● Iroha Poem: It is a famous Japanese poem from the Heian period, known for using
very syllable of the Japanese alphabet exactly once, often used as a mnemonic for
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the kana.
Medieval Literature
● The Tale of the Heike: It is a 13th-century epic that chronicles the rise and fall of the
Taira clan during the late Heian period, focusing on the Genpei War.
● Kamo no Chomei's Hojiki: It is a 13th-century essay reflecting on the
impermanence of life, written by the Buddhist monk Kamo no Chomei, focusing on
his own experiences and observations.
● Yoshida Kenko's Tsurezuregusa: It was written by Yoshida Kenko in the 14th
century, is a collection of essays, meditations, and reflections on topics ranging from
the fleeting nature of life to personal experiences and philosophical musings.
● Taketo Monogatari: T he Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, it is a 10th-century Japanese
folktale that tells the story of a mysterious girl found in a bamboo stalk, widely
considered one of Japan's earliest known works of fiction.
● Konjaku Monogatarishu: It is a 12th-century collection of over a thousand stories,
including tales from Japan, China, and India, offering a rich blend of Buddhist
teachings, folk tales, and historical anecdotes.
Modern Literature
● Manga: It refers to Japanese graphic novels or comics, encompassing a wide range
of genres and styles, often serialized in magazines before being compiled into
volumes.
● Cellphone Novels: T hese are a genre of literature, typically written in short, simple
chapters and published via mobile phone platforms, becoming popular in Japan in
the early 2000s.
● Shiga Naoya: H e was a Japanese writer, known for his introspective and
psychologically detailed works, such as "At Kinosaki" and "The Family", which
explore human relationships and personal reflection.
● Mori Ōgai: He was a prominent Meiji-era author, translator, and physician, known for
his works like The Wild Goose and The Dancing Girl, which explored modern issues
in Japan.
● Ryūnosuke Akutagawa: He was a renowned early 20th-century Japanese writer,
famous for his psychological depth and works like Rashomon and In a Grove, which
influenced modern Japanese literature.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
1. A inus - Primitive people with Caucasoid features and regarded as the original
inhabitants of Japan.
2. Before the 2nd c. B.C.- The Mongolian invaders from China, Korea, and Sibera
began to enter Japan.
3. Sometime between the 2nd & 3rd C. A.D. – The Japanese came into contact with
the Han Dynasty of China.
4. Around 3rd to 4th C. A.D. - The Yamato Clan was established and is usually
considered as the beginning of the Japanese Nation.
5. About 3rd or 4th C. - Chinese writings were introduced. The written language of
Japan was borrowed from China and was later combined with symbols called Kana,
which were devised by the Japanese to represent their pronunciation and
inflection. However, the spoken Japanese language is not related to any other
language.
6. During the Height of T’ang Dynasty (7th c. A.D.) - Japan sent an official embassy
to China thereby increasing the latter’s influence in Japan. During the reign of
Shotoku, important achievements were made:
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● apan’s first legal code was established.
● System of official ranks were established which became the basis for Japan’s
aristocracy.
● The increased centralization of Japan. T
aika Reform (645A.D.) became the
reform in Japanese government.
● A new system of land ownership.
7. N ara Period (710 A.D.) - The first Japanese capital, fashioned after China’s
Changan.
8. The Heian Period (794 A.D.) - The seat of government was shifted to Heian, later
simple called K yoto. TheFujiwara Family was the most important and powerful
family during this period.
9. Classical Period (9th-12th c.) - Chinese influences waned as the Japanese
developed their own institutions.
10.Medieval Period (12th-16th c.) - The period of disunityand internal unrest.
● The rise of the Warrior Classby the end of the 12thc. They replaced the nobles
as the real center of power.
● Shogunate: in 1185, Yoritomo Minamoto challenged andcrushed the Taira
Faction. He took himself the title ofShogun, whichmeans “generalissimo” or
“greatest general.”
● The Mongol Invasion took place in the last half of13th c.Kublai Khan, the
Mongol Emperor of China, demanded Japan’s submission.
● Ashigaka Shogunate (1332-1573): Civil was plaguedJapan.
● The Rise of the Daimyo: The revolts of the rural leaders(daimyo) against their
feudal lords.
o Nobunaga Rule
o Hideyoshi’s military dictatorship
o Arrival of the Europeans during the period of
Daimyo.
11.Tokugawa Shogunate (1603) - Jeyasu Tokugawa established the most stable and
most regimented rule in Japanese history. Merchants were placed at the bottom of
the social order.
12.The Rise of the Merchant Class in the 19th c. – the latter part of the Tokugawa
period, the merchants dominated not only the economy but also Japan’s literature
and art.
13.Opening of Japan - From 1640-1850, Japan ruled by the Shogun was isolated from
the West. But in 1853, a naval force under Perry sailed into Tokyo Bay. He
represented the US Demands that Japanese ports be opened to US vessels.
14.The Meiji Restoration- In 1868, Tokugawa Shogun, realizing his government was
about to collapse, voluntarily turned over his power to the emperor, who took the
name Meiji. The capital was moved from Kyoto to Edo which was renamed “Tokyo”
meaning “eastern
Capital.”
15.Sino-Japanese War (1894) - It proved China into a ward over Korea. China lost.
16.20th Century Japan
● Russo-Japanese War
● World War I
● The Rise of the Militarists
● Invasion of the Manchuria in 1931
● Sino-Japanese War in 1939
● World War II
● Post World War II
RELIGION
SHINTO
● A kind of nature and ancestor worship. It used to be the state religion.
● It is the worship of the Kami (Deity).
● It taught that the emperor was of divine origin. The emperor was the highest priest
of Shinto, but many of the emperors were also devout Buddhists at the same time.
● In 1947, Shinto was abolished as the state religion and the emperor was no longer
considered to be divine.
BUDDHISM
● It was introduced in Japan via China in the 6th c. A.D. and has greatly influenced
Japanese thought, art, and literature.
● It underwent many changes in Japan, from a traditionally passive and peace-loving
religion into many new sects:
o The Pure Land and the True Pure Land both believe in a Paradise, or True
Land, to which the faithful and good aspire.
o Zen Buddhism came to Japan from China in the 12th c.
o The Nichiren sect was founded in 1253. It was militant and nationalistic.
CHRISTIANITY
● It was introduced in Japan in 1549 by the Jesuit missionary, St. Francis Xavier.
● It was burned in 1613, primarily for political reasons. They were afraid that
the Westerners would use it to gain control over Japan. The ban lasted until 1858.
LITERARY BACKGROUND
1. In comparison with some of the other important literature, Japanese literature is of
fairly recent origin dating back only as far as the 5th c. A.D.
2. Its written language was borrowed from China and was later combined with symbols
called kana, which was derived by the Japanese to represent their pronunciation
and inflection. K ana is a general term covering the t wonative syllabaries:
o Kana-majiri- a test using a combination of Chinese characters and one of
the native syllabaries.
o Kana monogatari - a novel of the monogatari genere, written primarily
in kana.
3. Japanese literature is one of the few literatures to include women a mong its greatest
authors.
o Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji) - the world’s first true novel written by
a Japanese woman,
Murasaki Shikibu in c. 1010. (Monogatari means “talkof things”)
o Pillow Book- written by Sei Shonagon in 1015.
o Chiyojo (1703-1775) - she became a nun after her husband died and studied
poetry with a well known teacher of haiku. He haiku poems reflect her
lightness of spirit.
4. Japanese literature has been notable for its lyricalquality, reflecting a keen
awareness of beauty andnature.
5. Much of its literature also expresses sorrow and depicts brutal conflict.
6. 2 of the Oldest Surviving Literary Works w hich contains ancient Japanese history,
myths, and traditional lyrics:
o Kojiki (712 A.D.) - written in Japanese with ChineseMcharacters (Kanji).
o Nihon-Gi (720 A.D.) - written in Chinese ( Kambun).
7. 9th-12th c. A.D. - Peak of the artistic development of Japanese literature. The
center of literary activity was theimperial court of Kyoto. The authors were
the c ourtiers and
aristocrats.
8. Poetry w as held in high esteem, and the ability to write it well was a requirement for
a successful courtship and an aid to
advancement in society.
WAKA
EXAMPLE:
● It was the principal form of J apanese lyrical poetry, which
Alas! The beauty
has existed since the 8th c.
of the flowers has faded
● Today, the term is used interchangeably with Tanka.
and come to nothing,
● It means “ Japanese Poetry,” w hich included not only
while I have watched
tanka, but other forms such as s edoka,
the rain,
which means “hand repeated“ poems consisting of six lines
lost in melancholy
in a 5-7-7/5-7-7 syllable pattern
thought.
which the final line of each half being identical.
TANKA
● It is a verse poem developed during the first period of the
development of Japanese poetry
and has survived up to the modern times.
● It is a short poem consisting of 31 syllables arranged in 5
lines: 5-7-5-7-7
● During the 17th c., the form remained unchanged but its
contents were now devoted to the
realistic events of daily life, in contrast with the abstract and XAMPLE:
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idealized themes of earlier tanka A cool wind blows in
verse. With a blanket of
● Just like H aiku, it has a small, self-contained units, and an silence.
emphasis on the direct presentation Straining to listen
of sensory experience and an understated tone. For those first few drops
of rain,
The storm begins in
earnest.
AYING GOODBYE
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Carefully I walk
Trying so hard to be brave
They all see my fear
Dark glasses cover their eyes
As mine flow over with tears
XAMPLE:
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HAIKU
“Lines on a Skull” by
Ravi Shankar
● It is a new poetic form which was developed and which
ttained popularity during the 17th c.
a
life’s little, our heads
● It is brief and subtle and often witty, consisting for 17
sad. Redeemed and
syllables in three lines verse.
wasting clay
It often contains a single, simple event that suggests the
●
this chance. Be of use.
reader a variety of feelings and
associations.
● Simple words are used to create vivid images and it must
HE OLD POND
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contain a seasonal reference.
An old silent pond...
● In the present, it is a lengthy free verse form which is in frog jumps into the
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idespread use.
w pond,
● Basho Matsuo (1644-94)is considered a great master of splash! Silence again.
haiku. Kobayashi Issa (1762-1826)is
probably the favorite haiku poet of the Japanese.
RENGA
XAMPLE:
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It means “linked verse.”
●
Amid cherry blossoms,
● Originally a tanka in which the first three 5-7-5 syllable
Whispers of spring’s
lines were composed by one person
embrace
and the concluding 7-7 syllable lines by another.
bloom,
● This concept from the 13th c. onwards was extended until
Beneath the moon’s
the classical 100-poem sequence
glow.
was developed with different poet each picking up an idea
from a “start” poem and
esponse:
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developing it in turn. Each new poet had to pick up his
Petals waltz on zephyr’s
theme from the preceding poem.
breeze,
Hokkuis the term referring to the initial verse of a renga.
●
Nature’s duet finds its
● HAIKAI RENGA- humorous renga-style poems which
ease.
derived the main part of their humor
from parody and crudity.
Noh
● Noh is a traditional form of Japanese theater that combines drama, dance, and
usic, often based on classical Japanese literature, with a focus
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on themes such as ghostly apparitions, historical events, and folklore, and is
performed by masked actors in slow, stylized movements.
Kyogen
● Kyogen is a form of traditional Japanese comedy that often accompanies Noh
performances, using witty dialogue and exaggerated physical
actions to depict humorous, everyday situations, typically providing a contrast to the
more serious tone of Noh.
Kabuki
● Kabuki is a traditional form of Japanese theater known for its vibrant costumes,
dynamic acting, elaborate makeup, and stylized movements,
often combining dance, music, and drama to tell stories of historical events, love, and
morality, typically performed by all-male casts.
Joruri
● Joruri, now known as Bunraku, is a form of puppet theater where large, intricately
crafted puppets are manipulated by visible puppeteers while a
storyteller recites the narrative and a shamisen player provides the musical
accompaniment, usually based on classical stories or literature.
Shimpa
● It is a 19th-20th c. dramatic form with social realism.
Shingeki (New Drama)
● It is another type of modern Japanese drama. It was influenced by the artistic
techniques of western theater.
11. T
hree types of worldviews which influence Japanese literature:
a. Foreign thought systems in their original forms, which were different in different
periods.
b. Indigenous Japanese thought that remained unchanged through history.
c. Various systems of foreign thoughts, which have undergone thorough Japanese
influence. This is the most
predominant.
Characters
● Poor Farmer
● Aged Mother
● Governor
ong,longagotherelivedatthefootofthemountainapoorfarmerandhisaged,widowed
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mother. They owned a bit of land which supplied them with food, and they were humble,
peaceful, and happy.
hiningwasgovernedbyadespoticleaderwhothoughawarrior,hadagreatandcowardly
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shrinking from anything suggestive of failing health andstrength.Thiscausedhimtosend
out a cruel proclamation. The entire province was givenstrictorderstoimmediatelyputto
death all aged people. Those were barbarous days, and the custom of abandoning old
people to die was not uncommon. The poor farmer loved his aged mother with tender
reverence, and the order filled his heart with sorrow. But no oneeverthoughttwiceabout
obeying the mandate of the governor, so with many deep and hopeless sighs, the youth
prepared for what at that time was considered the kindest mode of death.
ust at sundown, when his day’s work was ended, he took a quantity of unwhitened rice
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which was the principal food for the poor, and he cooked, dried it, and tied it in asquare
cloth,whichheswunginabundlearoundhisneckalongwithagourdfilledwithcool,sweet
water.Thenheliftedhishelplessoldmothertohisbackandstartedonhispainfuljourneyup
themountain.Theroadwaslongandsteep;thenarrowroadwascrossedandre-crossedby
manypathsmadebythehuntersandwoodcutters.Insomeplace,theylostandconfues,but
hegavenoheed.Onepathoranother,itmatterednot.Onhewent,climbingblindlyupward
-- ever upward towards the high bare summit of what is known as Obatsuyama, the
mountain of the “abandoning of the aged.”
heeyesoftheoldmotherwerenotsodimbutthattheynotedtherecklesshasteningfrom
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onepathtoanother,andherlovingheartgrewanxious.Hersondidnotknowthemountain’s
many paths and his return might be one of danger, so she stretched forth her hand and
snapping the twigs from brushes as theypassed,shequietlydroppedahandfuleveryfew
steps of the way so that as they climbed, the narrow path behind them was dotted at
frequent intervalswithtinypilesoftwigs.Atlastthesummitwasreached.Wearyandheart
sick,theyouthgentlyreleasedhisburdenandsilentlypreparedaplaceofcomfortashislast
duty to the loved one. Gathering fallen pineneedles,hemadeasoftcushionandtenderly
lifted his old mother onto it. Hew rappedherpaddedcoatmorecloselyaboutthestooping
shoulders and with tearful eyes and an aching heart he said farewell.
he tremblingmother’svoicewasfullofunselfishloveasshegaveherlastinjunction.“Let
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not thineeyesbeblinded,myson.”Shesaid.“Themountainroadisfullofdangers.LOOK
carefullyandfollowthepathwhichholdsthepilesoftwigs.Theywillguideyoutothefamiliar
pathfartherdown.”Theson’ssurprisedeyeslookedbackoverthepath,thenatthepoorold,
shriveled hands all scratched and soiled by their work of love. His heart broke withinand
bowing to the ground, he cried aloud: “oh, Honorable mother, your kindness breaks my
heart! I will not leave you. Together we will follow the path of twigs, and together we will die!”
nce more he shouldered his burden (how light it seemed now) and hastened down the
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path, through the shadows and the moonlight, to the little hut in the valley. Beneath the
kitchen floor wasawalledclosetforfood,whichwascoveredandhiddenfromview.There
thesonhidhismother,supplyingherwitheverythingsheneeded,continuallywatchingand
fearing she would be discovered. Time passed, and he was beginning to feel safe when
againthegovernorsentforthheraldsbearinganunreasonableorder,seeminglyasaboast
of his power. His demand was that his subjects should present him with a rope of ashes.