1. JAPANESE LITERATURE
Japan is known to be one of the most
progressive countries in the world. Japanese
literature adopted its writing system in CHINA.
So basically, the early literary writings of
Japanese were influenced by the Chinese culture
and literature.
2. Two Forms Of Japanese Poetry
• HAIKU
• Has a syllabic unit pattern of 5-7-5
in which words were kept simple
that deals with themes about
nature
Ex.
An afternoon breeze
Expels cold air, along with
The fallen brown leaves
•TANKA
• Has five syllabic units consisting of
5-7-5-7-7 pattern. Tanka consists
of one image or idea about nature.
Ex.
Beautiful mountains
River with cold, cold water
White cold snow on rocks
Trees over the place with frost
White sparkly snow everywhere.
3. Dramais the favorite form of amusement in
Japan. The three types of drama are the:
1. Noh Play
2. Kabuki
3. Jouri
4. 1. Noh Play – is a major form of classical Japanese dance-drama that has been performed since
the 14th century. This form of theater feature a play from each of the five categories;
• God,
• Warrior,
• Woman,
• Deranged,
• and Demon.
5. 2. Kabuki – are about historical events and moral conflict in relationships of
the heart.
6. 3. Jouri – a type of chanted recitative that came to be used as a script in
bunraka puppet drama.
7. Murasaki Shikibu
The author of the “Tale of
Genji” is considered to be the
pre-eminent literature during
the Heian period.
8. oThe Tale of Genji covers the life span of
the brilliant Prince Genji and his many
romances.
o. Genji is Murasaki Shikibu's ideal of
manhood. He is gentle, poetic,
stunningly handsome, and, above all, a
tender lover
oReading The Tale of Genji is an excellent
way to understand Japanese literature,
and the country's culture in general..
9. Chikamatsu
Manzaemon
Is considered as Japan’s
Shakespeare and Jippensha
Ikku who wrote “Jokaidochu
Hizakurige” a mixture of
travelogue and comedy is
regarded as Japan’s Mark
Twain
10.
11. Patrick Lafcadio Hearn
(June 27, 1850-
September 26, 1904)
He was an international
writer, and was also
known with the Japanese
name, Koizumi Yakumo.
He was popular for his
book about Japan,
especially his collections
Japanese legends and
ghost stories.
