Lit.231 Introduction to Japanese Literature Professor Angela Yiu (office hours: Monday 2-3) Office: 10-647 In this course we will study Japanese literature and the art of fiction and poetry. We will introduce selected representative works of Japanese fiction and poetry, with an emphasis on the modern period (Meiji and after), though a few pre-modern works are included to examine literary links in the Japanese tradition. While we enjoy a text for its content (i.e. the plot and its social and cultural context), we also want to study how the content is presented (i.e. the form). Thus one important emphasis of this course is how to read a literary text: we will learn about imagery, metaphors, narrative voice, characterization, allusions, narrative persona, etc. as we study Japanese literature. This course should enable you to acquire the rudimentary critical language to make evaluative judgment of a literary text as well as introductory knowledge of Japanese fiction and poetry. Evaluation There will be two tests (30% each) and a final examination (40%). Attendance is highly valued, and those who miss the final exam without legitimate reasons will not receive credits for the course. All readings are available in translation, and you are welcome to consult the Japanese texts, while all class assignments, discussions, and exams will be in English only. Registration and Blackboard On top of the regular official registration for this class, you must register on Blackboard and update your email address by midnight on the last day of registration. Failing to do so will jeopardize your ability to access class materials and assignments for this class. Course Materials Full-length novels are on 24-hour library Reserve (1 or 2 copies each), and all other reading materials and class assignments are available electronically on Blackboard. (Course information⇨syllabus; Course documents⇨readings; Assignments ⇨class guidelines and assignments). Students are strongly encouraged to purchase the full-length novels available at Enderle Book Co. Ltd. Lit. 231 Introduction to Japanese Literature 4/12 Hello I. Imagery, metaphors, narrative voice and perspectives 4/16 Natsume Sôseki 夏目漱石, Ten Nights of Dream 夢十夜: “The Third Night,” 1908 4/19 Sôseki, “The Ninth Night;” Sôseki reads Jane Austen 4/23 Sôseki, “The Tenth Night” 4/26 Tanizaki Jun’ichirô, “T 4/20 Mori Ôgai 森鴎外, “Takasebune” 高瀬舟, 1915 4/24 Akutagawa Ryûnosuke 芥川竜之介, “In a Grove” 薮の中, 1922 4/27 Tanizaki Jun’ichirô 谷崎潤一郎, “The Tattooer” 刺青, 1910 5/1 Satô Haruo, “The House of a Spanish Dog” 西斑牙犬の家, 1916 5/8,11 Mishima Yukio 三島由紀夫, The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea 午後の曳航, 1963* 5/15 Test One II. Ghosts: Allusions, literary tradition, women writers 5/18 The Tale of Genji 源氏物語(the Yugao 夕顔 and Rokujo 六条 passages), 11th Century 5/22 “Aoi no ue” 葵の上(Nô play), 15th C. 5/25,29,6/1 Enchi Fumiko 円地文子, Masks 女面, 1958* 6/5 Kôda Aya 幸田文, “The Black Hems” 黒い裾, 1955 6/8 Ôe Kenzaburo 大江健三郎, “Aghwee the Sky Monster” 空の怪物アグィー, 1964 6/12 Murakami Haruki, 村上春樹, “The Second Bakery Attack”パン屋再襲撃, 1985, “Sleep” 眠り, 1989 6/15 Murakami Haruki 村上春樹, The Elephant Vanishes 象が消滅する, 1987 6/19 Test Two III Other Worlds: poetry and fiction 6/22 Adventures in poetry: renga 連歌 (linked poetry), haikai 俳諧 6/26 Matsuo Bashô, The Narrow Road to the Deep North 奥の細道, 1694 6/29 Miyazawa Kenji 宮沢賢治 The Bears of Nametoko” なめとこ山の熊 (posthumous, 1934), “The First Deer Dance” 鹿踊りのはじまり (1921) 6/24 7/3,6,10 Kawabata Yasunari 川端康成, Snow Country 雪国, 1934-47* 7/13 Review