Survey of Traditional Japanese Literature I

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The goal of this course is to provide an overview and understanding of some basic concepts and themes of Japanese writing, both prose and poetry, written during the period between 710 to 1185, which corresponds to the Nara and Heian periods, and includes the classical period of Japanese culture and art. We will specifically concentrate on Japanese aesthetics and religions to find some constant aspects within the various texts. In other words, one objective of this course is to find characteristics that are (possibly) unique and constant in Japanese literature and culture in our readings and class discussions. This course deals with a number of extremely well known works including The Man'yô Anthology, The Pillow Book, The Tale of Genji, among others. Additionally, key themes for discussion in this course include depiction of class, gender and economic difference, as well as the feasibility of applying western concepts of literary theory to Japanese poetry and fiction. We will also see how Japanese ancient literature, written long ago (and presumably far from our native lands) can appear uncannily familiar for the participants of the class.