Man’yōshū and Kokinshū Authentic Japanase

In the Japanese culture, the Man’yōshū and the Kokinshū are considered important works. Both are anthologies filled with poetry written by people of the time, though many, are written by anonymous people. Though both are written centuries apart, they both hold importance to those of their time.

The Man’yōshū is literally translated into the Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves. It is considered the oldest and one of the greatest compilations in Japanese history. It was compiled in the middle of the eight century, though there are some poems written earlier then the publishing. Though it says ten thousand leaves, which would make the reader assume there would be ten thousand poems, there are only 4500. The Man’yōshū is the only compilation that doesn’t have a preface. Unlike the Kokinshū, the Man’yōshū was written as a private work. Though the Man’yōshū was written by both noble and commoner, many of the poems remain anonymous. There are twenty books, and the last ones are compiled by Kokinomoto no Hitomaro. Many poems from this time have strong sexually appeal, which all relates to love. There are also many political poems that show the greatness and power of those high in office. The writings of the Man’yōshū also focused on the makoto(sincerity) of the writer.

The Man’yōshū was written to show the best of Japan. At this time, the Japanese were trying to create their own unique style, different from their influencer, China. Due to wanting to leave the shadow of China, the Japanese started to write in a new style known as manyogana. This is a style where kanji that has the meaning and the sound of the Japanese language, is connected with other kanji that are used just to get the right sound, though the kanji after the first has no...

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... the writing. The Man’yōshū was written from greatest in power, the nobles, to the least, the commoner. Except the hierarchical power, there is no other way it was organized. The goal was also for makoto. The Kokinshū only had nobles writing it and they were compiled depending on genre. The main goal was miyabi. Though they are both different writings, their goal of changing and enhancing Japan was evident.

Works Cited

Citko, Malgorzata. “Handout 4-Kokin waka shu.”2010. Print.

Citko, Malgorzata. "Man'yoshu." Eall 271. 19 Jan 2011. Address.

"Kokinshu." Anthology of Japanese Literature from the earliest era to the mid-nineteenth century . Ed and Comp. Donald Keene. New York: Grove Press, 1955. Print.

"Man'yoshu." Anthology of Japanese Literature from the earliest era to the mid-nineteenth century . Ed and Comp. Donald Keene. New York: Grove Press, 1955. Print.