Japanese Literature Flashcards
(20 cards)
was the period of peace and prosperity, of aesthetic
refinement and artificial manners. The emperor began to diminish in power but
continued to be a respected figure. Since the Japanese court had few official
responsibilities, they were able to turn their attention to art, music, and literature.
Heian Age
represents a unique form of the diary genre. It
contains vivid sketches of people and place, shy anecdotes and witticisms, snatches
of poetry, and 164 lists on court life during the Heian period. Primarily intended to
be a private journal, it was discovered and eventually printed. Shōnagon served as a
lady-in-waiting to the Empress Sadako in the late 10th century.
The pillow book by sei shonogan
or ‘ the way of the gods,’ is the ancient religion that reveres in dwelling
divine spirits called kami, found in natural places and objects. For this reason
natural scenes, such as waterfall, a gnarled tree, or a full moon, inspired reverence
in the Japanese people.
Shintoism
connotes duty, justice, honor, face, decency, respectability, courtesy, charity,
humanity, love, gratitude, claim. Its sanctions are found in mores, customs,
folkways. For example, in feudal Japan ‘loss of face’ is saved by suicide or
vendetta, if not renouncing the world in the monastery.
Giri
emphasized the importance of meditation, concentration, and self-
discipline as the way to enlightenment. Zen rejects the notion that salvation is
attained outside of this life and this world. Instead, Zen disciples believe that one
can attain personal tranquility and insights into the true meaning of life through
rigorous phusical and mental discipline.
Zen Buddhism
suggests a sense of obligation or indebtedness which propels a Japanese to act,
as it binds the person perpetually to other individuals to the group, to parents,
teachers, superiors, and the emperor.
On
is one of the oldest and most popular means of expression and communication
in the Japanese culture. It was an integral part of daily life in ancient Japanese society,
serving as a means through which anyone could chronicle experiences and express
emotions
Poetry
are poems that consist of alternate lines of five and seven syllables with an
additional seven-syllable line at the end. There is no limit to the number of lines
which end with envoys, or pithy summations. These envoys consist of 5-7-5-7-7
syllables that elaborate on or summarize the theme or central idea of the main
poem.
Choka
is the most prevalent verse form in traditional Japanese literature. It
consists of five lines of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables including at least one caesura, or
pause. Used as a means of communication in ancient Japanese society, the tanka
often tell a brief story or express a single thought or insight and the common
subjects are love and nature.
Tanka
is a chain of interlocking tanka. Each tanka within a renga was divided
into verses of 17 and 14 syllables composed by different poets as it was
fashionable for groups of poets to work together during the age of Japanese
feudalism
Renga
was the opening verse of a renga which developed into a distinct literary
form known as the haiku. The haiku consist of 3 lines of 5-7-5 syllable
characterized by precision, simplicity, and suggestiveness. Almost all haiku
include a kigo or seasonal words such as snow or cherry blossoms that indicates
the time of year being described
Hokku
appeared in the early part of the 8th century focusing on Japanese history.
During the Heian Age, the members of the Imperial court, having few administrative
or political duties, kept lengthy diaries and experimented with writing fiction.
Prose
a work of tremendous length
and complexity, is considered to be the world’s first true novel. It traces the
life of a gifted and charming prince. Lady Murasaki was an extraordinary
woman far more educated than most upper-class men of her generation. She
was appointed to serve in the royal court of the emperor.
The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu
written by an anonymous author during the 13th century
was the most famous early Japanese novel. It presents a striking portrait of
war-torn Japan during the early stages of the age of feudalism.
The tale of haike
was written during the age of
feudalism. It is a loosely organized collection of insights, reflections, and
observations, written during the 14th century. Kenko was born into a high-
ranking Shinto family and became a Buddhist priest.
Essays in Idleness by Yoshida Kenko
the author’s most famous story
made into the film Rashomon. The story asks these questions: What is the
truth? Who tells the truth? How is the truth falsified? Six narrators tell their
own testimonies about the death of a husband and the violation of his wife in
the woods. The narrators include a woodcutter, a monk, an old woman, the
mother-in-law of the slain man, the wife, and finally, the dead man whose story
is spoken through the mouth of a shamaness. Akutagawa’s ability to blend a
feudal setting with deep psychological insights gives this story an ageless
quality.
In the Grove by Ryunusuke Akutagawa
is drawn from an episode of The Tale of the
Heike, a medieval Japanese epic based on historical fact that tells the story of the
rise and fall of the Taira family, otherwise known as the Heike. The play takes
place by the sea of Ichi no tani. A priest named Rensei, who was once a warrior
with the Genji clan, has decided to return to the scene of the battle to pray for a
sixteen-year-old named Atsumori, whom he killed on the beach during the battle.
Rensei had taken pity on Atsumori and had almost refrained from killing him. He
realized though that if he did not kill the boy, his fellow warriors would. He
explained to Atsumori that he must kill him, and promised to pray for his soul.
On his return, he meets two peasants who are returning home from their fields and
Rensai makes an astonishing discovery about one of them.
Atsumori by Seami Motokiyo
involves lively, melodramatic acting and is staged using elaborate and
colorful costumes and sets. It is performed with the accompaniment of an
orchestra and generally focus on the lives of common people rather than
aristocrats.
Kabuki
farce traditionally performed between the Nō tragedies.
Kyogen
(now called Bunraku) is staged using puppets and was a great influence
on the development of the Kabuki.
Jorori
