Information and literature about the countries in East Asia which are China, Japan and Korea.

1. EAST ASIAN LITERATURE
JOVILYN L. HENSON

2. East Asian Literature
Refers to the study of literature of the people in:
China
Japan
Korea

3. China
Chinese civilization is the oldest
civilizations in the world that dates back
to the Shang Dynasty in 1765 B.C.
China is known as “The Red
Dragon”.

4. Zhou Dynasty that followed by the Shang Dynasty was
the period when the philosophies of the Confucianism,
Taoism and Legalism originated.
It is the longest dynasty in Chinese history which lasted
from 1122 B.C. to 256 B.C

5. Confucius
Perhaps the greatest philosopher of the
world has known.
The word “Confucius” is the westernized
form of name Kung Fu-tze.
Kung – Confucius’ proper name
Fu – revered
Tze – teacher
Books:
1. The Analects of Confucius
2. The Wisdom of Confucius

6. The finest era of Chinese literature was the
Tang Dynasty (618-907), when known poets
created landmark works unrivalled elsewhere in
the world.

7. Tu Fu
He is known as a poet-
historian for his portrayal of the
social and political disorders of his
time and is also noted for his
artistry and craftsmanship.
His works as a poet reveal his
loyalty and love of the country, his
aspirations and frustrations, his
unbounded sympathy for the sad
plight of the common people.
Literature in China
Famous Poets in Tang Dynasty

8. Li Po
Or Li tai Po, was one of
the leading Chinese poets of
the 8th century. His writings
deal with the good things of
life with the pathos of human
destiny, love, friendship,
wine, nature, and simple
village living.
Literature in China
Famous Poets in Tang Dynasty

9. Wang Wei
He excelled in imagery,
and his poems often hold a
subtle metaphysical flavor
testifying to his long study of
Buddhism. Many of his works
are such perfectly crystallized
visual images that they became
favored subjects of later artists.
Literature in China
Famous Poets in Tang Dynasty

10. In modern times, Chinese writers have
remained prolific. Though the social impact of
literature may be as monumental as it was in the
past, the Chinese literary tradition is
nevertheless prosperous.
Notable writers:
Mo Yan
One of his famous works:
“Sandalwood Death”
Literature in China

11. In modern times, Chinese writers have
remained prolific. Though the social impact of
literature may be as monumental as it was in the
past, the Chinese literary tradition is
nevertheless prosperous.
Notable writers:
Yu Hua
One of his famous works:
“ To Live”
Literature in China

12. In modern times, Chinese writers have
remained prolific. Though the social impact of
literature may be as monumental as it was in the
past, the Chinese literary tradition is
nevertheless prosperous.
Notable writers:
Wang Shuo
One of his famous works:
“Please Don’t Call Me Human”
Literature in China

13. In modern times, Chinese writers have
remained prolific. Though the social impact of
literature may be as monumental as it was in the
past, the Chinese literary tradition is
nevertheless prosperous.
Notable writers:
Shi Tiesheng
One of his famous works:
“ The Journey of Thought”
Literature in China

14. And other remarkable Chinese stories by:
Gao Xiaosheng
Literature in China

15. And other remarkable Chinese stories by:
Wang Zengqi
Literature in China
Loneliness and Warmth

16. And other remarkable Chinese stories by:
Zhang Chengzhi
Literature in China
The River in the North

17. Japan
Known as the “Land of the Rising Sun.

18. Japanese Literature
Katakana – basic alphabet in Japan which
consists of 47 characters.

19. The earliest writings
from ancient Japan are:
 The Records of Ancient
Matters in Kojiki (A.D.
712)
 The Chronicles of Japan
or Nihongi (A.D. 720)
Literature in Japan

20. Japanese Drama
3 Types:
Noh
Bunraku
Kabuki
Literature in Japan

21. Noh Play
It is the national theater of Japan.
The oldest surviving form of Japanese
theater. It combines music, dance, and
acting to communicate Buddhist themes.
Literature in Japan

22. Bunraku/ Joruri Play
Also known as the “Doll Theater” or the
puppet play.
The puppets are beautifully made and
lifelike in size. The strings are expertly
manipulated and the dialogue are realistically
interpreted.
Literature in Japan

23. Kabuki Play
The play of the masses.
It is less intellectual, more realistic and
sensational.
Literature in Japan

24. Japanese Poetry
Man Shu (Collection
of Myriad Leaves)
The oldest
collection of poetry
compiled in 800 A.D.
Literature in Japan

25. Literature in Japan
Japanese Poetry
The collection of
One Hundred Persons
was compiled much
later.

26. Japanese Poetry
Haiku
Shortest form of
Japanese poetry but most
popular.
It has 3 lines with 5-
7-5 syllables.
Literature in Japan

27. Japanese Poetry
Tanka
A 5-line poem with
5-7-5-7-7 syllables.
Literature in Japan

28. Ever since the Meiji Restoration in the 19th
century, Western influences have penetrated
Japanese literature.
In the genre of drama, playwrights who became
notable for creating world-renowned works like:
Abe Kobo
Literature in Japan
Woman in the Dunes

29. Ever since the Meiji Restoration in the 19th
century, Western influences have penetrated
Japanese literature.
In the genre of drama, playwrights who became
notable for creating world-renowned works like:
Mishima Yukio
Literature in Japan
“Two Plays” by Yukio

30. Korea
Known as the “Land of the Morning Calm”
in South Korea, while “The Hermit
Kingdom” in North Korea.

31.  Korea was established in 918 by King Taejo of Goryeo
dynasty.
 The name “Corea” was attested in English in early 1614
and the name “Korea” was used in the 19th century until
today.
 The English name Korea derives from the word Goryeo.

32.  Korean is the official language of both North and South
Korea.
 Korean has borrowed much vocabulary from the Chinese.
 Korean alphabets are called as Hangul in South Korea and
Chosungul in China and North Korea.

33. Korean Literature
Early Korean literature was
heavily influenced by Shamanism,
Buddhism and Confucianism.
Began as an oral tradition.

34. Korean Literature
 Good was rewarded
 Evil was punished
 Loyalty to the King
 Respect for one’s elders
 True friendship
 etc.
…were emphasized.

35. Korean Literature
Korean writings were poems called
hyangga.

36. Korean Literature
A new form of poem
developed after the Goryeo
dynasty and was called as shijo
which is a 3-line poem with 14
to 16 syllables each.

37. Korean Literature
Modern Korean literature
gradually developed under the
influence of Western cultural
contacts based on trade and
economic development.

38. Korean Literature
The first printed work of
fiction in Korean was John
Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress
(Cheonno-yeokjeong in Korean).
Christianity found its way
into Korea, having the first
complete edition of Bible in
Korean published in 1910.

39. Korean Literature
The Korean war, which
led to the creation of North and South
Korea, has created an indelible mark on
Korean literature.
Themes of
alienation, conscience,
and disintegration have
been present in Korean
works since 1950s.

40. Korean Literature
The Korean war, which
led to the creation of North and South
Korea, has created an indelible mark on
Korean literature.
Self-identity has also
become a strong theme in
Korean literature such as
poems, novels, plays.

41. References:
Redoblado. (2017). Contemporary Literature: 21st Century Literature from
the Philippines and the World. Brilliant Creation Publishing, Inc.
https://www.slideshare.net/kazumaki/asian-literature
https://biography.yourdictionary.com/wang-wei
https://www.slideshare.net/AbbieLaudato/korean-literature-23552326
http://sejongculturalsociety.org/writing/current/resources/sijo_samples.ph
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