Japanese 330 Classical Japanese Literature
Spring 2012
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:20 – 6:50 pm
Location: Gruening 203
Instructor: David Henry
Office: Gruening 612a
Office hours(subject to change): Tuesday 4:00 – 5:00 and Thurs. 4:00 – 5:00 or by appt.
Contact: dahenry2@alaska.edu or 474-7128
Course Description
A survey of the major works and genres of Japanese prose and poetry from the 8 th to 18th centuries
including Heian tales (monogatari), medieval folk tales and military chronicles, and the playful literature
of the Edo period. Major emphases include the Tale of Genji , the Tale of the Heike and mastering the
conventions that continue to be both adapted and subverted in modern Japanese literature.
Course Goals
We will explore major works and trends of Japanese literature from its beginnings in the 8 th
century until the 18th century. This will include a broad range of genres from across a millennium
of literary history from the first poetry anthology and tales (monogatari), to medieval folk tales and
military chronicles, through to the playful, mass produced literature of the Edo period. Specific
works studied will include the Tale of Genji, Essays in Idleness (Tsurezuregusa), the Tale of the
Heike, and poetry collections including the Manyoshu, Kokinshu, and Shinkokinshu. Students will
explore representative works of the classical canon that continues to be the source of patterns
that are both adapted and subverted in modern Japanese literature. Moving from the courtly
world of the Heian period (8th-12th century), to the warrior ethos and minimalist Buddhist aesthetic
of the medieval period (12th-16th century), to the vibrant urban commoner culture of the Tokugawa
period (1600-1868), students will explore a variety of constantly changing cultural representations
in order to reflect both on the roots of modern Japanese literature and on our own contemporary
cultural positions.
Learning Outcomes
*Students will gain an understanding of the forms (prose, poetry, essay, theatrical, etc.) of
classical Japanese literature and the conventions governing them
*Students will gain a knowledge of canonical works of classical Japanese literature, be able to
connect them to their historical contexts, and explain their significance in the development of
Japanese literature.
*Students will sharpen their ability to apply critical arguments, both orally and in writing.
Specifically they will be able to develop a thesis with regards to a specific work and support that
thesis both through textual references and with regard to critical scholarship in the field.
Required Readings (with abbreviations used in the syllabus)
G&H Helen McCullough, Genji & Heike (Stanford, 1994)
SN Ivan Morris, As I Crossed a Bridge of Dreams (Sarashina nikki) (Penguin Classics, 1989)
TJL Haruo Shirane, Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600
(Columbia, 2008)
CP Coursepack with additional readings, available on ERES. Please see:
http://eres.uaf.edu/
http://eres.uaf.edu/courseindex.asp
The password to enter the site is : ______________________________
For blackboard postings, login, go to JPN 330, and then choose Discussion Board. Blackboard URL:
http://classes.uaf.edu/
additional abbreviations for materials used in the coursepack include:
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TJP readings drawn from Steven Carter, Traditional Japanese Poetry
TLR readings drawn from Donald Keene’s Chushingura: Treasury of the Loyal Retainers
EMJL readings drawn from Haruo Shirane’s Early Modern Japanese Literature.
GRADING
Participation
Quizzes
Final Examination
In Class Presentation
Writing:
Blackboard posts
Two 5-8 page papers
Final paper
10% (includes occasional homework sheets)
10% (5 quizzes at 2% each)
5%
10%
10%
20%
20% (5% draft, annotated biblio; 5% draft submission;
10% rewritten/final submission)
UAF has returned to +/- grading. Grading is as follows:
A+ 100 – 97
B + 89 – 87
C + 79 – 77
D + 69 – 67
A 96 – 93
B 86 – 83
C 76 – 73
D 66 – 63
A - 92 – 90
B - 82 – 80
C - 72 – 70
D - 62 – 60
F
59 and below
As a rule, no make-ups will be given for participation, etc unless prior arrangements are made or
there is a signed doctor note.
COURSE POLICIES
Appropriate class behavior. You are welcome to bring a drink to class, as long as you clean up
after yourself. Side conversations are not acceptable. I expect you to be courteous to classmates
and professor at all times. Cell phones should be turned off, and I reserve the right to answer any
phone that rings in class. If mine rings, you have the right to ridicule me.
Students with disabilities. UAF makes appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities
who have been documented by the Office of Disability Services (203 Whitaker Building, 474-7043).
Students with learning or other disabilities who may need classroom accommodations are
encouraged to make an appointment to obtain the appropriate documentation if they do not have it.
Please meet with me during office hours so that I can collaborate with the Office of Disability Services
to provide the appropriate accommodations and supports to assist you in meeting the goals of the
course.
Student support services. UAF is committed to equal opportunity for all students. Students who
are the first in their families to attempt a four-year college degree, or students whose incomes are
low, have opportunities for tutorial and other forms of support from the office of Student Support
Services. Please make an appointment with Student Support Services at 474-2644.
Student code of conduct. As a UAF student, you are subject to UAF's Honor Code:
"Students will not collaborate on any quizzes, in-class exams, or take-home exams that will
contribute to their grade in a course, unless permission is granted by the instructor of the course.
Only those materials permitted by the instructor may be used to assist in quizzes and
examinations.
Violations of the Honor Code will result in a failing grade for the assignment and, ordinarily, for
the course in which the violation occurred. Moreover, violation of the Honor Code may result in
suspension or expulsion."
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Thursday
Tuesday
1/19
1/24
Readings:
Tentative course schedule
Week 1: Poetic Beginnings
Course introduction, review syllabus, and Sources of Classical
Japanese Literature
Week 2: The Tale of Genji 1
Early Poetry Collections: The Manyoshu (c. 759 AD) and the
Kokinshu (c. 905 AD)
TJL “The Manyoshu” (pp. 60-109); “The Kokinshu”
(pp. 146-167)
Note: Friday January 27 is the deadline for 100% refund for dropped classes
Thursday
1/26
Readings:
Due
:
Tuesday
1/31
Readings:
The Tale of Genji and Heian (8-12 century) Japan
CP “Cultural Background” (pp. 1-21, Richard Bowring Murasaki
Shikibu: The Tale of Genji)
G&H “Kiritsubo” (pp. 25-40)
2-3 page essay “One Aspect of Japanese Culture”
Week 3: The Tale of Genji 2
Heian aesthetics and narrative conventions
G&H “The Broom Tree”; “Yugao” (pp. 41-83)
Note: Friday February 3 is the deadline for 100% refund for dropped classes
Thursday
2/2
Readings:
Poetry and Love in the Genji
G&H “Young Murasaki”; “A Celebration Amid Autumn
Leaves” (pp. 84-130)
Week 4: Women’s Diaries (joryu nikki)
Tuesday
2/7
Poetry Analysis small group editing session
Readings:
No new readings
Handout:
“Functions of Poetry in The Tale of Genji”
Thursday
2/9
Readings:
Sarashina nikki (c. 10th century, “As I Crossed a Bridge of
Dreams”)
SN introduction to Sarashina nikki (pp. 11-38);
Sarashina nikki (p. 41-58; ch. 1-3)
Tuesday
2/14
Readings:
Week 5: Medieval Warrior Tales
Sarashina nikki
SN Sarashina nikki (p. 58-87, ch. 4-16)
Thursday
2/16
Readings:
Due :
The Tale of Heike 1: Images of Samurai then and now
G&H Heike chapters 1-3 (pp. 265-299)
5-8 page paper (analysis of classical Japanese poetry)
Week 6: Medieval Poetry and Poetry Criticism
Tuesday
2/21 The Tale of Heike 2
Readings:
G&H Heike chapters 4-6 (pp. 300-344)
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Quiz:
Quiz over Sarashina nikki and Tale of Heike
Thursday
2/23
Reading:
TJL Shinkokinshu (pp. 607-622; “New Collection of Ancient and
Modern Poetry”
Tuesday
2/28
Readings:
Week 7
In class workshop: small group editing of five page papers
No new readings (but bring 4 extra copies of your own paper)
Thursday
3/1
Readings:
Buddhist literature and criticism
TJL various stories and essays (pp. 639-669)
Tuesday
3/6
Readings:
Week 8: Buddhist literature
Recluse literature
TJL Hojoki and other stories (pp. 623-636, “An Account of a TenFoot-Square Hut)
Thursday
3/8
Readings:
Due :
Quiz:
Recluse literature 2
TJL Tsurezuregusa (pp. 820-843, “Essays in Idleness”)
5-8 page paper (chosen in consultation with me)
Quiz over Buddhist Literature
Tuesday
Thursday
Week 9: Spring Break
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
3/13
3/15
Tuesday
3/20
Readings:
Due
:
Thursday
3/22
Readings:
Week 10: Secular Tales
In class workshop: reports on annotated bibliographies
None (but bring 4 extra copies of your annotated bibliography)
Annotated Bibliography
Defining characteristics of medieval Japanese oral literature
TJL Konjaku monogatari (pp. 529-558; “Tales of Times Now and
Past”)
Tuesday
3/27
Readings:
Week 11: No Theater
Anecdotal Literature: Setsuwa (tales)
TJL Uji shui (pp. 670-685; “Collection of Tales from Uji”)
Thursday
3/29
Readings:
Buddhist-inspired theater
TJL various No plays (pp. 917-967)
Week 12: Samurai Ideal and Reality
Tuesday
4/3
Zeami and medieval aesthetics
Readings:
TJL various No plays (pp. 968-1038)
Quiz:
Quiz over secular tales and medieval theater
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Thursday
4/5
Reading:
Legend of the 47 Samurai
CP Chushingura Acts 1-5 (Legend of the 47 Samurai, pp. 29-86
from TLR)
Week 13: Samurai Ideal & Reality 2
Tuesday
4/10 Legend of the 47 Samurai 2
Reading:
CP Chushingura Acts 6-11 (Legend of the 47 Samurai, pp. 87-180)
Thursday
4/12
Readings:
Way of the Samurai
CP Hagakure (pp. 287-303, from Sato Hiroaki Legends of the
Samurai)
Week 14: Edo period (1600-1868) literature
Tuesday
4/17 Samurai in Film
Viewing:
Twilight Samurai (2002, Tasogare Seibei, director Yamada Yoji)
Due:
Draft of Research Paper
Quiz:
Quiz over image and reality of the samurai
Thursday
4/19
Readings:
In class workshop: small group editing sessions of Research Paper
No readings (but bring 4 extra copies of your Research Paper)
Tuesday
4/24
Readings:
Week 15
Poets and paupers in the city: Matsuo Basho and Ihara Saikaku
CP various stories and poetry (pp. 345-358 from TJP and pp. 42-82
from EMJL)
Thursday
4/26 Review for Final Exam
Handout:
Review sheet
Due: Research Paper due
Tuesday
Thursday
5/1
5/3
Week 16
Final paper group editing
Review for final exam
Final Exam: Tuesday , MAY 8 at 5:45-7:45
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