Introduction to Japanese
Literature and Fumiko Enchi
Manyoshu and Kokinshu eras
Dominated by women writers
– Manyoshu – 8th century
– Kokinshu – 9th century
– People are often surprised to discover that
early Japanese literature was dominated by
women writers.
– Often this is associated with the freedom and
relatively high political and economic position
women enjoyed during these periods.
Heian Period (794-1185)
Women moved increasingly into domestic
roles, yet, they continued to be central to
Japanese Writing. Especially important to
their writing was the shift toward
confessional or journal writing.
The Tale of Genji and The Pillow Book,
two of the most famous Japanese classics
were written by women during this period.
Feudal Times in Japan
1168-1603
The dark ages of literature by women.
Women were completely confined to the
domestic space and suffered from the
widespread practice of polygamy. There
was a long period of silence during which
women lost their place in Japanese
Literature.
Language
One of the things that separated women
and men’s literature was the division of
languages – Men wrote in Chinese, (kanji)
women in Japanese (kana).
Edo – 1603-1868
Dominated by neo-confucianism and the
samuri class, which established its political
supremacy on “masculine” principles.
Women writers and women’s themes
remained dormant during this period.
Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Taisho Period (1912-1926)
Resurgence of women’s writing
During Meiji there was increasing emphasis on
educating women. Their increased literacy led
to an increase in writing and publication.
But, women writers were placed in a separate
category, isolated from the real world of
literature, the masculine world.
There were women’s literary prizes and a whole
“genre” of work called joryu bungaku, or
women’s writing, that was segregated from the
tradition of “good” or “best” or “Japanese”
writing.
Feminine Writing
Women were encouraged to write in the
feminine style about feminine topics.
Some female writers became famous because
the overcame their femininity and were able to
“write like a man.”
Though there was a “New Woman” in Japan, as
well as in the West, one who wrote about the
female ego in its pursuit of self-fulfillment and
self-expression, there was more discrimination
against the woman writer in Japan than in the
West.
Enchi
Like their Western counterparts, Japanese
women began to explore the subconscious
realm of the female psyche.
Enchi started her career as a writer in the leftist
tradition.
Then there was a long period of silence due to
health problems.
When she began to write again, she focused
almost exclusively on the female psyche.
Women Writers
P. 13 of Ericson
Are there female and male sensibilities in
writing? What might they be?
Can we take two US writers – say James
and Wharton or Faulkner and Welty or two
others you know, and say that they write
differently based on gender?