Japanese Literature 3600-4-JA1-WLKJ2

Lecture course covers early ancient period of literacy in Japan, beginning with the importation of Chinese writing in the fourth century, and up to Mediaeval Period in 16th c. The historical outline of the literature begins around sixth century with myths and traditions preserved in the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters, 712) and other oldest books in Japan, and most important ancient lyrics The Man'yoshu (Collection of Ten Tousend Leaves, about789). The late ancient period refers to the four centuries (794-1185) during which Heian was the political and cultural center of Japan and during which great classical literature flourished, among them Imperial Anthologies of Japanese Poetry Waka, such as Kokinshu (Ancient and Modern Poetry, 905), were edited. The emergence of narrative prose written in the kana syllabary will be treated here as the most important topics of the lectures on genre and forms originated in anecdotal stories called setsuwa, in poem-tales, and in diaries. Most important of which are The Pillow Books of Sei Shonagon and The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu (beginning of 11th c.).
Early Ancient Period 1.The Introduction of Buddhism to Japan. 2. Development of court and religious architeture.3.Forms and genre of literature: tanka, norito, semmyo, fudoki, setsuwa and chronicle 4 Poetry in Nara Period. Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves - most important poets.5. Prosperity of aristocratic culture and literature.6.Chinese poetry of 9th c. and Japanese poetry of the end of 9th c. - Ono no Komachi and Ariwara no Narihira7.Imperial antologies of waka poetry. Collection of Ancient and Modern Poetry. Tsurayuki on art f poetry.8.Diares and fiction: Tosa Diary, Gossamer Diary, Izumi Diaries.9.Diary of Lady Murasaki and Sarashina Diary.10.The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon.11.Emergence of narrative prose: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Tales of Ise, Tales of Yamato, Tale of Utsubo, Tale of Ochikubo.12.The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu. Selected heroses and chapters. 13 Tales of Sagoromo and epigones literatures.14.Popular stories such as Tales of Modern and Ancient Times (11th c.) and history narrative Tale of Splendor (12th c.).