Development of Japanese Literature from the Beginning up the Modern Period  The play for the masses.

sses. It is less intellectual and more realistic

even sensational.
ANCIENT LITERATURE  Kabuki plays are scripted, and may focus on historical events,
romances or ethical conflicts.
 -until 794  Life and works of Japanese authors
 They don't have their own writing system.
 Chinese characters were further adopted.
 The earliest works were created in Nara period. 1.Murasaki Shikibu (c. 978 – c. 1014)
 Kojiki and Nihon Shoki are theexample works during the Nara
period.  Murasaki Shikibu is a representative author of classic Japanese
 Urashima Taro has been identified as the earliest example of a literature. Considered the world’s first novel by many, her Tales of
story involving time travel. Genji depicts court life during the Heian

Period (794 – 1185) in detail. Her works are key examples of

classical Japanese aesthetics, style and literary virtuosity. Notable
CLASSICAL LITERATURE Works: Tales of Genji; The Diary of Lady Murasaki
• 794 2.Matsuo Basho (1644 – 1694)
• 1185 Generally refers to literature produced during the Heian
Period (the golden era of art and literature)  Matsuo Basho is a master of Haiku poems from the Edo period
• Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji) by Murasaki Shikibu and (1603 – 1868). A classic within Japanese poetry, he is praised for
Makura no Soshi (The Pillow Book) by Sei Shonagon are encapsulating the natural environment and ordinary scenes in a
examples of literary works during this period. minimalist form. Notable Works: The Narrow Road of Deep North;
Account of Exposure to the Fields
MEDIEVAL LITERATURE (1195-1600)
3.Natsume Soseki (1867 – 1916)
 Zen Buddhism had a great influence on medieval Japanese
literature, and many of the writers were priests, travelers, or   Natsume Soseki is one of the most iconic authors of
ascetic poets. Japanese literature from the Meiji period (1862 – 1922). His
 Tale of the Heike (1371), an epic tale of the war for sovereignty satires and tales of ordinary people capture the spirit of the
of Japan between the Minamoto and Taira clans. Hjki (1212) by  Meiji period – a time of great turbulence and rapid change
Kamo no Chmei and Tsurezuregusa by Yoshida Kenko are two towards modernization.
other important tales from the period (1331). Renga, or linked  Common themes found in his works include conflicts between
verse, and Noh theater were also popular at this time. duty and desire, personal estrangement and rapid
industrialization.
EARLY- MODERN LITERATURE (1600-1868)  Notable Works: I am a Cat; Botchan; Kokoro
 The literature of this period was written during the Tokugawa 4.Akutagawa Ryunosuke (1892 – 1927)
Period, which was characterized Edo Period. Chikamatsu
Monzaemon, a joruri and kabuki dramatist, rose to prominence  Called the father of Japanese short stories, Akutagawa
around the end of the seventeenth century. Oku no Hosomichi Ryunosuke is one of the foremost writers from the Taisho era (1912
(1702), a travel diary by Matsuo Basho. In addition to his famed – 1926). Representative of neo-realism in the mid-1910s, Akutagawa
36 Views of Mount Fuji, Hokusai, possibly Japan's most often reinterprets classical works with modern sensibilities. In many
famous woodblock print artist, also illustrated novels. of his works, Akutagawa explores the formation of cultural identity
and universality of literature. Notable Works: Rashomon; The
POST-WAR LITERATURE Nose; Hell Screen
 The setting Sun is a novel by Dazai Osamu about a soldier 5.Tanizaki Junichiro (1886 – 1965)
returning from Manchukuo. Yukio Mishima began writing in the
postwar period. " The American School, " a short  Tanizaki Junichiro is one of the major authors of modern Japanese
tale by Kojima Nobuo, depicts a group of Japanese English literature. A prominent writer of neo-romanticism in Japanese
teachers. literature, his works include tales of love, sexuality and destructive
erotic obsession. His stories are often set within the context of
CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE juxtaposing Western and Japanese traditions.
 Popular fiction, non-fiction, and children's literature all Notable Works: Naomi; The Makioka Sisters; In Praise of
flourished in urban Japan during 1980. Shadows
 Many popular works fell between pure literature and pulp
novels, including all sorts of historical serials, information-  Haikus of Basho, Buson and others
packed docudramas, science, fiction, mysteries, business
stories, war journals, and animal stories. TANKA
 Manga (comic book) has penetrated almost every popular
market sector. • Short verse form that began early in Japanese history and still
 At the end of 1980s, Manga represented between twenty and survives today.
thirty percent of total annual publication in Japan. • Has to do with social needs, obligations and past times.
• Defining feature is syllable count 31 syllables (5,7,5,7,7)

JAPANESE DRAMA HAIKU

NOH PLAY - The national theatre of Japan, which was originally • Shorter verse form of Tanka
reserved for the nobility. • Consists of only 17 syllables (5,7,5 the 1 st half of the tanka)

 Legends say that the Noh dance was invented by Gods. Famous Japanese Poets
 Noh—its name derived from nō, meaning “talent” or “skill.”
• Ki Ysurayuki (died 945c) – chief aid of emperor Diago
JORURI PLAY • Assembled one of the largest anthologies of Japanese
poetry ,the kokinshu
 It is also known as Bunraku play. • Ono Komachi (833-857) – early tanka poet whose poems are
 Bunraku is one of Japanese traditional puppet theaters. • characterized by passion and energy
 Often called Ningyo-joruri. Ningyo means puppet, and • Priest Jakuren (1139-1202) – Buddist priest and prominent
"joruri" means storytelling with shamisen which is tanka poet whose poems are filled with beautiful yet melancholy
one of the Japanese plucked string instruments. imagery.
 A puppet plays or doll theatre wherein the dolls are beautifully • Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) – Greatest Japanese Haiku poet.
made and life-like in size. • Yosa Buson (1716-1784) – Widely regarded as the second-
greatest
KABUKI • Japanese haiku poet.
• Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) – Considered to be on the same • Climax - Kanazawa no Takehiko dies.
level as Buson, after his death, wrote haikus that reflect • Falling Action - Tajomaru flees with the horse, bow, and arrows.
appreciation for the hardships faced by the common people. • Conclusion/Ending - The main characters give their
testimonies.
Tanka is the most prevalent verse form in traditional Japanese
literature and Haikus is focusing on images from nature, haiku CHARACTERS:
emphasizes simplicity, intensity, and directness of expression. Both
Haiku and Tanka Poems use vivid imagery- language that appeals to • A Woodcutter
the senses. • A Buddhist Priest
• A Policeman
 SUGGESTED PIECES: • An Old Woman
• Tajomaru
1. Tale of the Genji or Genji Monogatari, written in the 11th • Masago
century CE by • Kasawagu no Takehiro

Murasaki Shikibu, a court lady, is Japan's oldest novel and Korean literature
possibly the first novel in world literature. The classic of Japanese
literature, the work describes the life and loves of Prince Genji and is HANJA -refers to the Chinese characters used in the Korean writing
noted for its rich characterization and vivid descriptions of life in the system.
Japanese imperial court. The work famously reproduces the line
sadness of things over 1,000 times and has been tremendously EXAMPLES:
influential on Japanese literature and thinking ever since it was
written. The Tale of Genji; continues to be retranslated into modern • 学 (학): This character means “study” or “learning.”
Japanese on a regular basis so that its grip on the nation • 字 (자): This character means “letter” or “character.”
imagination shows no sign of loosening. • 韓 (한): This character is part of the word “한국” (Hanguk), which
means Korea.
2. The Madman on the Roof " by Hiroshi Kikuchi
Indigenous Writing System - These systems were used to
Summary: represent the Korean language in written form.

A father named Gisuke was concerned about his 24-year-old son, • By the 7 th century, a system called idu had been devised that
Yoshitaro who climbs on the roof to watch the sunset. One day, allowed Koreans to make rough transliterations of Chinese
Gisuke tried to make his son climb down off the roof. texts, Eventually, certain Chinese characters were used for their
phonetic value to represent Korean particles of speech and
But no matter how hard Gisuke tried, his son won't still climb inflectional endings.
down. So, he ordered Kichiji, their servant to get Yoshitaro on the • A more extended system of transcription, called hyangch’al,
roof. Kichiji went outside to get a ladder.Tosaku, their neighbor, followed Shortly thereafter, in which entire sentences in Korean
entered the house and noticed what was happening in the house. could be written In Chinese.
And recognized that it was Yoshitaro again on the roof. Then Tosaku • In another system, kugydi, abridged versions of Chinese
recommended a Holy woman who could cure Yoshitaro. The Holy characters were Used to denote grammatical elements and
Woman came to the house, and she said that Yoshitaro was were inserted into texts during transcription.
possessed by an evil spirit. As they were on the healing procedure of
Yoshitaro, Suejiro entered and rescued his brother Yoshitaro. Suejiro TRADITIONAL FORMS AND GENRES
defended and reasoned out his brother condition with their parents.
In general, then, literature written in Korea falls into three categories:
Telling them that Yoshitaro was not possessed by an evil spiritrather
have a serious condition.Then, their parents understand and accept • Works written in the early transcription systems
the truth about their elder son, Yoshitaro. In the end, Brotherly love • Written in Hangul
prevails and makes the family unite and compromise. • And those written in Chinese

Analysis of the Story: Four Major Traditional Poetic Forms

Characters 1. Hyangga (“native songs”)

 Katsushima Yoshitaro - the madman, twenty-four years of age  Oldest poetic form transcribed in the hyangch’al system
 Katsushima Suejiro - Yoshitaro’s brother, a seventeen-year-old from the middle period of the Silla dynasty to the Koryo
high school student dynasty.
 Katsushima Gisuke - their father  The poem was written in four, eight, or ten lines: two four-
 Katsushima Oyoshi - their mother line stanzas and a concluding 2line stanza were the most
 Tosaku - a neighbour popular.
 Kichiji - a manservant, twenty years of age  Poets were either Buddhist monks or members of
 A Priestess - about fifty years of age Setting Hwarangdo.
 Place: A small island in the Inland Sea
 Time: 1900 2. Pyolgok (“special songs”) or changga (“long poems”)
 Theme: The themes of the story “The Madman on the Roof;”
 Flourished during the middle and late Koryo period.
could be: Perception in Life, Sanity, and Nature
 It is characterized by a refrain either in the middle or at the
Moral Lesson end of each stanza.
 The theme of most anonymous poems is love, the joys
 The moral lesson in the story is do not be ashamed of your own and torments of which areexpressed in frank and powerful
kind especially if itdoes not harm any of your neighbors. In addition, language
be thankful for what you have and for who you are. Cherish the  The poem were sung to musical accompaniments chiefly
people who are there to love you and the people who do not mind by Kisaeng or ginyeo.
what others may say.
3. Shijo or Sijo (“current melodies”
3. In a Grove by Akutagawa Ryunosuke
 Is representative of Choson period poetry. Its poetic form
PLOT: was established in the late Koryo period.
 An unrhymed Korean verse from appearing in Korean in 3
• Introduction - Tajomaru meets Kanazawa no Takehiko and lines to 14 to 16 syllables.
Masago.  It typically captures moments of personal emotion,
• Rising Action - Tajomaru ties up Kanazawa no Takehiko in the contemplation, or nature’sbeauty in a succinct and elegant
bamboo manner
 grove.Tajomaru leads Masago into the bamboo
grove.Tajomaru rapes Masago. 4. Kasa (“verses”).
  The kasa developed at about the same time as the sijo.  “Goryeo” is derived from “Goguryeo” which changed its
 The writers were usually yangban.. name to “Goryeo” during the reign of King Jansu of
 It is known for its expressive language, rich imagery, and Goryeo (in the 5th Century.)
emotional depth.
 During the later period the poem tended to be longer and Hanshi
to concern itself with moral instruction, travel accounts,
banishment, and the writer’s personal misfortunes.. • poems in Chinese Characters developed to maturity, and
towards the end of the Dynasty, a new form of poetry called
Shijo gained acceptance.
• a poetry to be read and contemplated, it is usually in the form of
Early Korean Literature was heavily influenced by Buddhism, a song.
Shamanism and confucianism.
Joseon Dynasty or Choson
Shamanism
 Was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong – Gye that
It is a practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of lasted for approximately five centuries.
consciousness in order to perceive and interact with what they  It was founded after the overthrow of the Goryeo Dynasty
believe to be a spirit world and channel these transcendental in what is today the city of Kaesong.
energies into this world.  The Shijo, a short three lined poem written in Han-gul,
remained popular during the Joseon Period.
Shaman
The early Joseon period
- A person regarded as having access to and influence in the world
of good and evil spirits.  Yongbi eocheonga (“songs of the Dragons Flying to
Heaven”)
In the 4th century CE, the Korean peninsula was politically divided  -It was compiled during the reign of Sejong the Great as
into 3 kingdoms: an official recognition of the Joseon
 Dynasty and its ancestral heritage as the forerunners of
 Baekje Joseon, The Golden Age of Korea.
 silla  -This compilation was the first piece of Korean text to
 Gogiryeo depart from a long history reliant on Chinese Characters
and can be recorded in Hangul.
Gogurryeo was later known as Goryeo, from which the modern
Korea is derived. The late Joseon period
Prose 5. Modern Literature developed against the background of the
Joseon Dynasty’s fall.
 Korean prose literature can be divided into narratives,
fiction and literary miscellany.  This first period of modern Korean Literature was often
 Narratives include myths, legends and folktales found in called “enlightenment”.
the written records.  Jayusi – Formation of modern free verse poetry
 The most important myths are those concerning the Sun  Many biographical works were published in the Late
and the Moon, the founding of Korea by Tangun and the Joseon Period, where the main character was often
lives of the ancient kings. depicted as the hero.
 The folktales include stories about animals: ogres, goblins,  Pilgrims Progress or Cheonno-yeokjeong by John Bunyan
and other supernatural beings. – first printed work of fiction
Fiction Modern literature
 Korean Fiction can be classified in various ways:  The modern literary movement was launched by Ch’oe
 First, there is fiction written in Chinese and that written in Namson and Yi Kwangsu.
Korean.  In 1908 Ch’oe published the poem “Hae egeso pada ege”
 There are short works on one volume, “medium” works of (“From the Sea to Children”), the first literary journal aimed
about 10 volumes, and long works of more than 10 at producing cultural reform.
volumes.  Yi’s reputation was established by Mujong (1917; “The
 Geumo Sinhwa (new stories form Mount Geumo) by Kim Heartless”), the first modern Korean novel.
Si-Seup.
 The first known classical work of Korean fiction
 It was written in Chinese characters.
Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country on the South China Sea
Oral literature
known for its beaches, rivers and Buddhist pagodas.
 Oral literature includes all text that were orally transmitted
from generation to generation Definition and Significance
 These orally transmitted texts are categorized as ballads,
and are classified according to singer(male or female),  Vietnam literature encompasses a range of written works that
subject matter and regional singing style. reflect the country’s values, traditions, and aspirations. It serves as a
 Legends include all those folk stories handed down orally powerful tool for self-expression and cultural preservation.
and not recorded in any of the written records.
 The final type of folk literature is found in the texts of Historical Background
p’ansori of the Yi dynasty
 The evolution of Vietnam literature parallels the nations
tumultuous past, shaped by colonization, independence struggles,
and social changes. It reflects the resilience and spirit of the
Vietnamese people.

Korean Dynasty

Goryeo Dynasty or Koryo Major Literary Figures in Vietnam

 Established in 918 by Emperor Taejo Wang Geon 1. Ho Chi Minh- An influential figure in Vietnams independence
(founding father). movement, Ho Chi Minh also wrote impactful essays and poetry that
 Goguryeo was later known as Goryeo from which the inspired change and united the nation.
modern name Korea is derived.
2. Nguyen Du- Nguyen Dus epic poem, The Tale of Kieu, remains
a beloved masterpiece, exploring themes of love, fate, and
sacrifice. Oral Tradition - Traditional Indonesian literature often has roots in
oral tradition, with storytelling, folklore, and epics passed down
through generations. These oral traditions play a crucial role in
Different Genres in Vietnam Literature preserving cultural values and history.

 PROSE- Prose writings in Vietnam literature offer a broader Bahasa Indonesia - this is the official language of Indonesia.
canvas to explore intricate narratives, societal issues, and However, Indonesia is linguistically diverse, with hundreds of
personal stories. languages spoken and literature is produced in various languages.
 POETRY- Vietnam poetry, with its lyrical beauty and symbolism,
captures the essence of emotions, landscapes, and cultural Wayang kulit or “Shadow Puppetry” - it is a traditional form of
values. storytelling that often involves the recitation of ancient epics, such as
the Mahabharata and Ramayana, accompanied by intricately
THEMES AND MOTIFS In VietnamLiterature designed shadow puppets.

1. LOVE AND NATURE- Vietnam literature often celebrates the Pujangga Lama - this refers to the "old poets" or classical
beauty of nature as a backdrop for exploring love, longing, and literary figures in Indonesian literature. Here are a few notable;
the human experience. pujangga lama" figures:
2. WAR AND RESISTANCE- With a history marked by conflicts,
Vietnam literature reflects the nations struggle for ● Hamzah Fansuri (1600–1660) - was a Sufi poet known for his
independence, resilience, and spirit of resistance. mystical and philosophical writings. His works often explored themes
3. TRADITION AND MODERNITY- Vietnamese writers skillfully of love, spirituality, and the relationship between humans and the
navigate the intersection between tradition and modernity, divine.
capturing the tensions and dynamics of a rapidly changing
society. ● Raden Ajeng Kartini (1879–1904) - Kartini is known for her letters,
which expressed her thoughts on the status of women and the need
POETRY OF VIETNAM for womens education.

 The Tale of Kieu by: Nguyễn Du (1765–1820) ● Chairil Anwar (1922–1949) - is considered a bridge between
 The Tale of Kiều is an epic poem in Vietnamese written by traditional and modern Indonesian literature. His poems,
Nguyễn Du (1765–1820), is considered the most famous poem characterized by their emotional intensity and modernist style, had a
and a classic in Vietnamese literature. significant impact on the development of Indonesian poetry.
 The “Tale of Kiêu” expresses the determination to endure, to
preserve a hardy and cul- tured humanity, and thereby to Traditional Forms
master even the cruelest destiny.
1. Syair - Syair (Jawi: ‫ )شعير‬is a form of traditional Malay (also
MAIN CHARACTERS: subsequently modern Indonesian and Malaysian) poetry that is
made up of four-line stanzas or quatrains. The syair can be a
 Kim Trong- Kiều’s first love, becomes an official and is narrative poem, a didactic poem, a poem used to convey ideas on
providing housing for Kiều’s parents. religion or philosophy, or even one to describe a historical event.
 Thuy Van- the younger of the two daughters of Vuong. Both the
daughters, Kieu and Van are described as being physically very 2. Pantun - The pantun was originally a form of folk verse that was
attractive. meant to be sung. Pantun are still meant to be sung. In his Account
 Thuy Kieu-Kieu was very beautiful and learned as well. She of a Voyage to Kelantan (Pelayaran ke Kelantan) Abdullah Munsyi
was born into a well-educated family, and she was in love with noted various ways in which a pantun might be sung, including Lagu
a young man, Kim Trong. Dua, Lagu Ketara, Ketapang, Dendang Sayang, and so on.

SUMMARY: This is the story of a young lady named Vuong Thuy Kieu. Kieu 3. Qurindam - is a type of irregular verse forms of traditional Malay
was very beautiful and learned as well. She was born into a well-educated poetry. It is a combination of two clauses where the relative clause
family, and she was in love with a young man, Kim Trong. Then disaster fell on forms a line and is thus linked to the second line, or the main clause.
her family. Her father and her brother were imprisoned. In order to solve the
family’s problem, she had no choice but to sell herself. From then on, 4. Hikayat - Hikayat (Jawi: ‫ ;حكاية‬Gurmukhi: ਹਿਕਾਇਤਾ, romanized:
catastrophe after catastrophe fell on her. She had to follow her fate: being Hikā is an Arabic word that literally translates to "stories"
cheated, on two times being held in a pleasure house (whorehouse) as a and is a form of Malay and Sikh literature. This article presents a list
singer, concubine, and servant. We may say this is a sad story of a talented
lady who had bad fate. In this story Nguyen Du wanted to tell us through the of hikayat . Malay hikayats relate the adventures of heroes from
fate of Kieu to be widened into the fate of human beings in the wicked feudal kingdoms across the Malay archipelago (spanning modern
society along with its cruelties and injustice. He wanted to scream out loud, a Indonesia and Malaysia, especially in Sumatra) or chronicles of
scream that breaks our heart. theirroyalty. The stories they contain, though based on history, are
heavily romanticized. Poetical format is not required in Malay and
GENRE Arabic Hikayat while the Acehnese Hikayat requires it.from various
time periods.
 A classic of Vietnamese literature, The Tale of Kieu is an epic
poem recounting the harrowing life of Thuy Kieu, and how she 5. Babad - Babads as a genre belong to the traditional literature. The
resigns herself to prostitution in order to ascertain a futurefor her word babad means a story about past events, text on the clearing of
family. (the land...) story about the origin of this or that settlement. A
characteristic of this kind of literature is that it is written in metrical
The Mandarin and the Flower Festival By: Pham Duy Khiem form and is governed by a set of strict conventions. In traditional
Javanese society, prose (gancaran) was not considered to be belles
Characters: letters but was considered to be merely sets of notes or aide-
mémoires.
 Tu Thuc (Protagonist)
 Giang Huong (Rosy Incense)
 Nguy, Queen Fairy (Mother of Giang) Two young servant girls
 Old man (Grandson of TuThuc)
 Theme:
 Tradition and Modernity
 Point of View:
 Third-person Point of view

INDONESIAN LITERATURE

Indonesia is a country located off the coast of mainland Southeast

Asia in the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is an archipelago that lies
across the Equator and spans a distance equivalent to one-eighth of
Earth’s circumference. The literature of Indonesia encompasses a
wide range of genres, styles, and themes, often influenced by the
countrys history, religions, and traditions.