Japanese literature
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Japanese literature spans a period of almost 20 centuries of writing. Early work was heavily influenced by Chinese literature, but Japan's subsequent political isolation led to some unique literary forms. When Japan was opened suddenly in the 19th century, the shock again influenced Japanese Literature, which developed some interesting modern characteristics.
Generalized characteristics of Japanese Literature involve a sense of detachment, remoteness, and in many cases where the hero or central figure fails in their efforts.
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2 Forms 3 Significant authors and works 4 External links |
History
Japanese Literature is generally divided into three main periods: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern.
Ancient Japanese literature (generally pre 12th Century) includes Kojiki, Nihonshoki, The Pillow Book, The Tale of Genji, where content centers around the life, love, and pastimes of nobles in the Emperor's court.
Medieval Japanese Literature (12th Century - 19th Century) is marked by the strong influence of Zen Buddhism, where characters are priests, travellers, or ascetic poets. Also during this period, Japan experienced many civil wars which led to the development of a warrior class, and subsequently to the mystique of the Samurai, with war tales, histories, and related stories.
Modern Japanese Literature (Late 19th Century - Present) parallels the opening of Japan and subsequent exposure to the West. A unique literary form, the shishousetsu, or self-centered short story, came into being in the Modern period. These short stories often have the writer himself as the main character, and are somewhat confessional in the retelling of a significant life experience. Modern literature combines the existentialist influences from previous Zen writings, and places them in modern settings, where rapid progress in the world serves to heighten the alienation felt by the author. There is also Juvenile literature that attempts to capture the feel and stories of anime, manga, and video games in writing. These are also drawn back into anime and manga. While looked down upon by traditional literary authorities as crudely written and focusing too much on appealing to readers, they also effect modern literature by encouraging younger people to read more.
Forms
Court Poetry, Novel, Epic, Travellogue, Haiku, Shishousetsu, Modern Novel
Significant authors and works
These are resources for an article on Japanese literature.
Famous authors and literary works of significant stature are listed in chronological order below. For an exhaustive list of authors see List of Japanese authors:
- Kukai (空海) (774-835). Iroha (poem).
- Murasaki Shikibu (c.973 - c.1025): The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari)
- Sei Shonagon (c.~966 - c.10??): The Pillow Book
- The Tale of the Heike (1371)
- Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694): haiku
- Yasunari Kawabata (1899 - 1972)
- Yojiro Ishizaka (1900 - 1986)
- Osamu Dazai (1909 - 1948)
- Shusaku Endo (1923 - 1996)
- Kobo Abe (1924 - 1993)
- Yukio Mishima (1925 - 1970)
- Kenzaburo Oe (born 1935)
- Haruki Murakami (born 1949)
- Aozora Bunko for a repository of Japanese literature
External links
- Wabei Translation - translations of Japanese short stories and folk tales