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Module 5

The document provides an overview of Japanese literature, culture, and historical background, detailing significant aspects such as naming conventions, wedding traditions, and the Japanese tea ceremony. It covers various literary periods from ancient to modern literature, highlighting key works and authors. Additionally, it outlines Japan's historical timeline, including the establishment of the Yamato Clan, the influence of Chinese culture, and the evolution of the Japanese government through different eras.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
22 views9 pages

Module 5

The document provides an overview of Japanese literature, culture, and historical background, detailing significant aspects such as naming conventions, wedding traditions, and the Japanese tea ceremony. It covers various literary periods from ancient to modern literature, highlighting key works and authors. Additionally, it outlines Japan's historical timeline, including the establishment of the Yamato Clan, the influence of Chinese culture, and the evolution of the Japanese government through different eras.

Uploaded by

aquinolex.psych
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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‭ epublic of the Philippines‬

R
‭ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY‬

‭ OLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES‬


C
‭Department of Languages and Literature‬

‭Asian Literature (ASIANLITT100)‬


‭Course Title‬

‭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)‬

‭CULTURE AND TRADITION‬

‭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
e
‭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:‬
‭‬ J
● ‭ 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:‬
E
‭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
S
‭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:‬
E
‭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
T
‭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
A
‭ 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:‬
E
‭ ‬ 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:‬
R
‭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.‬

‭9.‬ ‭Drama‬‭was an important feature in Japanese literature.‬

‭Noh‬
‭●‬ ‭Noh is a traditional form of Japanese theater that combines drama, dance, and‬
‭ usic, often based on classical Japanese literature, with a focus‬
m
‭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.‬

‭THE STORY OF AGE MOTHER‬

‭ atsuo Basho (1644 –1694)‬


M
‭Author‬
‭●‬ ‭Matsuo Bashō, originally Matsuō Chuemon Munefusa, was born in Ueno, Japan, in‬
‭1644 to a family of samurai descent.‬
‭●‬ ‭Basho was introduced to poetry at a young age by Todo Yoshitada, for whom he‬
‭worked and shared a mutual love of ‬‭renga‬‭.‬
‭●‬ ‭After Yoshitada’s death in 1666, Bashō moved to the capital city of Edo (now Tokyo),‬
‭where he studied poetry and gained recognition for his use of the ‬‭haiku‬‭form.‬
‭●‬ ‭In 1684, Bashō left Edo to travel alone, and documented his travels in ‬‭The Narrow‬
‭Road to the Deep North‬‭(1694)‬‭, which helped establish the ‬‭haibun ‭a
‬ s a major‬
‭form, connecting ‬‭haiku‬‭with narrative prose.‬
‭●‬ ‭He was the author of numerous other anthologies and volumes of poetry,‬
‭including Monkey’s Raincoat (1691) and The Seashell Game (1672).‬
‭●‬ ‭Bashō died in Osaka on November 28, 1694.‬

‭Characters‬
‭●‬ ‭Poor Farmer‬
‭●‬ ‭Aged Mother‬
‭●‬ ‭Governor‬

‭THE STORY OF THE AGED MOTHER‬

‭ 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
S
‭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
O
‭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.‬

‭ he‬ ‭entire‬ ‭province‬ ‭trembled‬ ‭with‬ ‭dread.‬ ‭The‬‭order‬‭must‬‭be‬‭obeyed‬‭yet‬‭who‬‭in‬‭all‬‭Shining‬


T
‭could‬‭make‬‭a‬‭rope‬‭of‬‭ashes?‬‭One‬‭night,‬‭in‬‭great‬‭distress,‬‭the‬‭son‬‭whispered‬‭the‬‭news‬‭to‬‭his‬
‭hidden‬‭mother.‬‭“Wait!”‬‭she‬‭said.‬‭“I‬‭will‬‭think.‬‭I‬‭will‬‭think”‬‭On‬‭the‬‭second‬‭day‬‭she‬‭told‬‭him‬‭what‬
‭to‬‭do.‬‭“Make‬‭rope‬‭of‬‭twisted‬‭straw,”‬‭she‬‭said.‬‭“Then‬‭stretch‬‭it‬‭upon‬‭a‬‭row‬‭of‬‭flat‬‭stones‬‭and‬
‭burn‬‭it‬‭on‬‭a‬‭windless‬‭night.”‬‭He‬‭called‬‭the‬‭people‬‭together‬‭and‬‭did‬‭as‬‭she‬‭said‬‭and‬‭when‬‭the‬
‭blaze‬ ‭died‬ ‭down,‬ ‭there‬ ‭upon‬ ‭the‬ ‭stones,‬‭with‬‭every‬‭twist‬‭and‬‭fiber‬‭showing‬‭perfectly,‬‭lay‬‭a‬
‭rope of ashes.‬

‭ he‬ ‭governor‬ ‭was‬ ‭pleased‬‭at‬‭the‬‭wit‬‭of‬‭the‬‭youth‬‭and‬‭praised‬‭greatly,‬‭but‬‭he‬‭demanded‬‭to‬


T
‭know‬ ‭where‬ ‭he‬ ‭had‬ ‭obtained‬ ‭his‬ ‭wisdom.‬‭“Alas!‬‭Alas!”‬‭cried‬‭the‬‭farmer,‬‭“the‬‭truth‬‭must‬‭be‬
‭told!”‬‭and‬‭with‬‭deep‬‭bows‬‭he‬‭related‬‭his‬‭story.‬‭The‬‭governor‬‭listened‬‭and‬‭then‬‭meditated‬‭in‬
‭silence.‬ ‭Finally‬ ‭he‬ ‭lifted‬ ‭his‬ ‭head.‬ ‭“Shining‬ ‭needs‬ ‭more‬ ‭than‬ ‭strength‬ ‭of‬ ‭youth,”‬ ‭he‬ ‭said‬
‭gravely.‬ ‭“Ah,‬ ‭that‬ ‭I‬ ‭should‬ ‭have‬ ‭forgotten‬ ‭the‬ ‭well-known‬ ‭saying,‬ ‭“with‬ ‭the‬ ‭crown‬‭of‬‭snow,‬
‭there‬ ‭cometh‬‭wisdom!”‬‭That‬‭very‬‭hour‬‭the‬‭cruel‬‭law‬‭was‬‭abolished,‬‭and‬‭custom‬‭drifted‬‭into‬
‭as far a past that only legends remain.‬

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