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Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600
Traditional Japanese Literature features a rich array of works dating from the very beginnings of the Japanese written language through the evolution of Japan's noted aristocratic court and warrior cultures. It contains stunning new translations of such canonical texts as The Tales of the Heike as well as works and genres previously ignored by scholars and unknown to general readers.
This volume includes generous selections from Man'yÿsh , The Tale of Genji , The Pillow Book , Kokinsh , and other classics of Japanese literature, as well as a stunning range of folk literature, epic tales of war, poetry, and no drama. The anthology offers an impressive representation of dramatic, poetic, and fictional works from both high and low culture, along with religious and secular anecdotes, literary criticism, and works written in Chinese by Japanese writers. The wealth of classical poetry, linked verse, and popular poetry is accompanied by extensive commentary.
Traditional Japanese Literature is a companion volume to Columbia University Press's Early Modern Japanese An Anthology, 1600-1900 and part of its four-volume history of Japanese literature. Arranged by chronology and genre, the readings are insightfully introduced and placed into their political, cultural, and literary context, and the extensive bibliographies offer further study for scholars and readers. Including a wide range of classic and popular works in poetry, prose, and drama, this anthology presents a definitive overview of traditional Japanese literature and deepens our understanding of classical and medieval Japanese culture.
This volume includes generous selections from Man'yÿsh , The Tale of Genji , The Pillow Book , Kokinsh , and other classics of Japanese literature, as well as a stunning range of folk literature, epic tales of war, poetry, and no drama. The anthology offers an impressive representation of dramatic, poetic, and fictional works from both high and low culture, along with religious and secular anecdotes, literary criticism, and works written in Chinese by Japanese writers. The wealth of classical poetry, linked verse, and popular poetry is accompanied by extensive commentary.
Traditional Japanese Literature is a companion volume to Columbia University Press's Early Modern Japanese An Anthology, 1600-1900 and part of its four-volume history of Japanese literature. Arranged by chronology and genre, the readings are insightfully introduced and placed into their political, cultural, and literary context, and the extensive bibliographies offer further study for scholars and readers. Including a wide range of classic and popular works in poetry, prose, and drama, this anthology presents a definitive overview of traditional Japanese literature and deepens our understanding of classical and medieval Japanese culture.
1288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 28, 2020
There are perhaps not many 1200-page anthologies I could read cover to cover and enjoy almost invariably. This is one of them. The selections are rich, the translations readable, and the annotations helpful.
June 28, 2017
Took my time reading this, and I suppose it's the sort of book you never really finish, but I was looking for a comprehensive book on early japanese lit. This hits the mark. Terrific collection. Some of the joke/story/moral fable pieces pieces were my favorite. "the dog pillow book" by Inu Makura and "Today's tales of yesterday" these parodies I suppose they could be called are really cool. And bizarre. The Tokugawa period was a time of peace and prosperity in Japan after a long brutal bloody clan war. With the island finally united under one leader and enjoying peace literature exploded. Everyone carried around journals. Highly developed roads were packed with travelers, exploring the country writing everything down. A highly literate society.
Of 1 story sticks out. The woman who cut off her nose. Brief. Husband is dying. He asks his wife to cut off her nose to prove she will never take another lover. She honors his wish. Remarkably he recovers. Soon after, he takes his wife and confess her face is so hideous he wants out. She is aghast and petitions he court. The judges decide he should lose his nose and that live happily ever after.
The hand puppet theatre stuff I skipped. But the romance fiction stories, and illustrated comics were engaging.
Love the book. Made me wish for a time machine to explore the Tokugawa period
Of 1 story sticks out. The woman who cut off her nose. Brief. Husband is dying. He asks his wife to cut off her nose to prove she will never take another lover. She honors his wish. Remarkably he recovers. Soon after, he takes his wife and confess her face is so hideous he wants out. She is aghast and petitions he court. The judges decide he should lose his nose and that live happily ever after.
The hand puppet theatre stuff I skipped. But the romance fiction stories, and illustrated comics were engaging.
Love the book. Made me wish for a time machine to explore the Tokugawa period
January 11, 2019
I'm not a specialist in Japanese literature, but I really enjoyed this volume and found it to be (again, from limited experience) very well edited. The introduction and notes are good for someone who has little experience with the literature. I found it very accessible and with a breadth of genres that helped me understand the aesthetic movements and history of Japanese literature.
August 29, 2020
Classic Japanese Literature anthology you find in every uni's reading lists for a reason. Gives you a good overview of all the literary trends from those centuries without overwhelming the reader with historical context.
November 13, 2024
read anthology for class ! Favorite sections were “the pillow book� and noh play “shrine in the fields.�
August 4, 2016
Interesting compilation that seems to offer a very round anthology of the era up until the 16th century. I have only read the thoughts on literary compilations and history so far, but I look forward to the poems and prose as well. (The rating so far is for Shirane Haruo's thoughts on literary canon formation, his analysis of genres etc.)
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September 11, 2009Alex is reading this anthology.
May 5, 2011
This book was very interesting because there were a lot of unique poems that have been translated and I think these poems are very meaningful.
April 22, 2014
Professor Shirane's anthology is exquisite and essential for anyone seriously interested in classical Japanese literature.
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April 15, 2022Don’t read the abridged 2012 version
"Momotaro, The Son of a Peach", "The Jellyfish and the Monkey", "The Mirror of Matsuyama�, "The Stones of Five Colors and the Empress Jokwa.
"Momotaro, The Son of a Peach", "The Jellyfish and the Monkey", "The Mirror of Matsuyama�, "The Stones of Five Colors and the Empress Jokwa.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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