Free Japanese Literature Essays and Papers

Literature has always reflected the perceptions, ideals, and environments of its authors; Japanese waka and prose during Japan’s transition from the “classical” Heian period (794-1185) to a more turbulent medieval period (1100-1500) is a fascinating window into this cultural metamorphosis. Japan was irrevocably changed during this period both politically and ideologically, and Japan’s literature followed suit. Several characteristics of the “classical” Heian period of Japan were the introduction

Japanese Literature Japan has provided the world with some of the greatest novelists, poets and essayists ever known. Starting with the writings of the Nara period during the mid-eighth century and continuing until today, great writers have blossomed from the islands of this small eastern nation. Although influenced heavily by China, where the Japanese are believed to have migrated from approximately 3000 years ago, Japanese writers have come to develop a truly unique style (Albert 504)

The Japanese medieval age consists of the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (from approximately 1185 to 1600). During this time, the political power was switching from the imperial family to a militaristic government. In addition, civil wars (from 1156 to 1568) were increasing throughout Japan. This change of centrality in society’s focus from court to warriors shifted the perception and style of Japanese literature. As we learned during the first half of the course, the Heian period focused their

period, resulting in the gradual transition of political power to the military and samurai classes. This era of great turmoil and change was reflected in the literature of the time. In prose, new subjects that were never mentioned before emerged, such as physical descriptions of bodies and grotesque, gory war scenes. In Heian literature, the closest physical descriptions were only of women’s long, black hair and fair skin tone; detailed characteristics, especially those of unappealing taste, did

During the Medieval period (1185–1603) in Japan there was change and innovation in Japanese literature. “Waka composition practices change as Japanese society does” (Huey 652). The medieval world was greatly reflected in Japanese literature because during this time there were numerous civil wars that led to different classes in society. “In fact, many different types of people helped shape the medieval period. Over 400 years, from the late twelfth to the late sixteenth centuries, emperors and priests

The process of Japanese society shifting into a more medieval state can be seen by looking at various pieces of Japanese literature, such as poetry and prose, that were written around the time that this shift is said to have started to happen, specifically in the Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. Things like war tales, Gunki monogatari, emerged reflecting the tumultuous state of Japan during these times, with the Heike monogatari being one of the most famous pieces; further development

perhaps one of the most important and effective ways to see into the past is through literature. This is true for medieval Japan as well. The literature written during the medieval period of Japan is very different from literature written during earlier time periods, and the differences show the changes and innovations that took place during the medieval period, and thus reflects important aspects of Japanese medieval society. These changes and innovations can be seen by comparing a few of the

whom the powered was controlled and the religion of Buddhism, although significant in both eras, was starting to surface as a stronger power, itself. But during this period in Japan, the elegant literature was changing, going almost hand in hand with the changes that were happening. In the Heian Era, literature was popular in the court, for both the men and the ladies. They took part in reading and writing literary prose, and waka was especially popular. Waka was used for not only pastime but to be

overall feeling of the following Kamakura Period that makes the younger of the two periods more appealing. The changes in Japanese literature during the Kamakura Period can be readily observed in many works, including the innovation in poet devices found in the Shinkokinshu, as well as the subject matters of different stories. We have the introduction of another ancient Japanese classic in Heike Monogatari, where the reader is assaulted with battlefield stories and upfront political warfare not seen

One of the main reasons that studying Japanese literature from different time periods is so important is due to the fact that it provides the reader with an insight into the time around which it was written. Direct accounts of events are always a good source for learning about history. At the same time, cultural tales can be of the exact same value as the conventional history. The accounts of events might be embellished but it is in the way that the events are embellished that the reader is able

the history in Medieval Japan, one can easily learn that Kamakura era was right in the transition period of the government and that of worldviews among people. The warrior class was gradually and surely coming to power, only by looking into the literature works of the era. Perhaps Emperor Gotoba was one of the aristocrats who were threatened with declination of their status and culture, which could have been his motives to command of the anthology: Shinkokinshū. This power rotation was vividly described

With many forms of literary work, there is bound to be similarities among them. The Japanese in particular are no exception. For example, they honor past literary works by commissioning literary pieces in their name. To the Japanese, imitation is regarded as a form of flattery. In particular, it is no surprise that Matsuo Basho’s traveling diary, Oku no Hoso Michi, shows any resemblance to Ki no Tsurayuki’s Tosa Nikki. Unlike any other works of its time, Tosa Nikki is a fictional travel diary written

Literature, whether oral or written, reflects the society in which it is produced. The history of literature in Japan, in particular of poetry is quite extensive. If we begin with Manyoushuu, compiled in 770, until the present day, the history of waka is over one thousand two hundred years long. Such a vast collection of literature enables us to take a look Japanese history through its poetry and prose. The development of waka and the changes it underwent over time are not solely the reflection

writing system that eventually morphed into the use of hiragana and katakana through the introduction of Man'yōgana. Hiragana allowed women to make their way into the world of literature, since kanji, the only form of writing for a long time, was mostly known to men only. Because of this, women were able to enter the world of literature and works such as Genji Monogatari by Murasaki Shikibu and Izumi Shikibu Nikki by Izumi Shikibu, and became some of the most influential writers of their time. The medieval

Tokugawa period, acted as a key role of developing the Japanese culture. It included leisure activities such as linked verse, haikai composition and Puppet Theater to entertain leisured class which included daimyo, samurai and rich merchants (HUMA 1400 Course kit, 164). Despite the fact that Chonin culture during the Tokugawa period was characterized by indulgence in sensual pleasures of a leisured class, it contributed to developing Japanese literature and arts. Some books showed that leisured class

Japanese literature in the Heian period was most popular for its domination of women’s culture (Hooker, Richard). During this time, a new writing technique was implemented called hiragana. This was especially accepted as a woman’s way of writing since a woman knowing Chinese characters was considered unladylike. For many years Chinese characters was the only accepted way of writing, thus the birth of a new writing technique was like a revelation. This incorporation made a huge impact on Japanese

Snow Country and the Cultural Events    Culture plays a part in determining who a person is in their society. In Snow Country Kawabata shows Japanese culture through the clothing that they wore, showed elements of religion like Buddhism and Shinto, and use vivid imagery of nature and the environment to show an accurate aspect of Japanese culture.     Yasunari Kawabata was born on June 11, 1899, in Osaka, Japan. He lived a sorrowful childhood. When he was a baby both his parents died from tuberculosis

Poetry has a long history in both Western and Eastern literature. As an art form, it is thought to even pre-date the written word (“Poetry,” n.d.). Some argue that the role of Eastern poetry, specifically Japanese, differs from that of the West because in Japan it is meant to capture a moment of emotion whereas Western literature is meant to describe an emotion. Nonetheless, poetry plays an extensive role in new and old Japanese society—some of the earliest written texts and the most important

World History The Tale of Genji The Tale of Genji, not only had a huge impact on Japanese literature, it is considered to be the first novel ever written in the world. Japanese literature was limited to poetry, fairytales, and memoirs until the birth of this remarkable work. The tale revolves around prince Genji’s life and his love adventures in an important period in Japanese history. Its complicated plot focuses on the significance of the Heian period and portrays in detail the life of the upper

Universal Truths in Japanese Literature Arts, Culture and Literature In The Crane Wife and Princess Hase, both short stories in the book Tales of Japan-Illustrated Folk Tales, Fairy Tales and Mythology by Birgit Amadoi there are examples of Universal truths. The Universal Truths such as Good vs. Evil, Greed vs. Generosity, and Outer Strength vs. Inner Strength affect the people of Japan, and reflects on how the live their life, and their outlook on the world. The universal truth of Good vs