Japan
Creation stories:
What did you find different about these creation stories when you compare them to ones from other cultures we have studied?
Who are the two main characters? What sorts of references to real situations might you speculate about here; are there references to volcanoes, the sea, who might have settled the islands?
Poems of the Ancient period (from the Manyoshu):
What are the main themes found here, on what are the metaphors based?
Is there evidence of a Buddhist outlook? How is love seen?
Can you compare these poems to early Chinese poetry?
From the Tales of Ise:
The work from which these excerpts are taken revolves around the personality of an early court poet, Ariwara Narihira. What is his character and influence on later works according to the introduction?
These excerpts are so short there is much room for speculation; how would you fill in one of these stories?
The stories told can be better understood by feeling rather than meaning. Can you describe what for you is the central picture in one of them?
Sei Shonagon:
What is the background for these essays: who is Sei Shonagon and why did she write this "pillow book"?
What is the social context of the people who appear in Sei Shonagon's writing? What can you say about their lives and society? Be specific, giving examples.
From her writings, how does Sei Shonagon herself strike you as a person?
Poems of Izumi Shikibu:
In what context(s) did Izumi Shikibu write these poems?
What sorts of images does she use to convey her feelings? Give examples.
Is there a Buddhist undertone to what she writes? If you think so can you find examples of it?
The Tale of Genji:
This novel is the first in the world and was written by a woman. Who is the author and what is her background?
As you read this selection from her novel, how do you find Murasaki Shikibu's relationship with you as the reader? What is her relationship with her characters?
Who are the characters we find in this Chapter, can you say anything about them as individuals? Who is Genji?
The young men are talking about their experiences with women, what are the stories they tell and how do you react to them? Uma no Kami tells two, To no Chujo one and Shikibu one, choose one in particular to discuss.
There is much discussion of aesthetic considerations here; the author often combines descriptions by the author, the words of the characters and their thoughts on the situation all in one sentence. What are some of the topics the young men discuss?
The second half of the Chapter is about Genji's affair. Can you comment on at least three aspects of this encounter? For example: does Genji get his way, why or why not; what role does the brother play; why does Genji pursue this lady and what sorts of persuasion does he use; how does class figure in this; what is the lady's situation?
From The Middle Councilor of the Riverbank's Stories, The Lady Who Admired Vermin:
Can you contrast the lady of this story with any of those described in Genji?
What does the story tell you about this society, its excesses, illogicality, customs?
Besides her rebellion against what is expected, what other, perhaps even spiritual, themes can be found in the life and words of the caterpillar lady?
Tale of the Heike:
According to the title, The Night Attack at the Courtiers' Hall, we might expect a swordfight but there is none; what kind of battle is being fought, who are the combatants and why are they fighting?
Who wins this battle and how is it won?
The Death of Etchu no Zenji is about Samurai but on the surface of the story at least one of the warriors does not seem to follow the code. What happens, and is there any other explanation for this seemingly dishonorable outcome?
An Account of My Hermitage:
This essay has five chapters, what is each one about?
The theme of the essay is found in the first sentence: houses. What are five that the author lives in, not all of which are constructed of wood and grass?
This essay has often been compared to Thoreau's On Waldon Pond with one difference being the Pure Land Buddhist beliefs of Kamo no Chomei. How do the author's beliefs come through in his writings? Can you find evidence of Shintoism as well?
Questions for Hermitage by section:
What themes are introduced in this section?
Give some examples of images used to describe disasters; what is his conclusion here?
Describe his first houses, his life, his attitude toward his surroundings.
What other houses does he mention?
How does he conclude?
Dogen's Zen Stories:
Comment of two or three of these short pieces.
Semimaru (the Noh Play):
Who are the main characters in this play how would you describe them? What are their stories?
What are some of the themes expressed here? Can you give an example?
The star is the mad sister, do you have any comment on her madness? She is, in a sense, like the Lady who loved vermin, outside of society, yet perhaps seeing more clearly.
From The Life of and Amorous Woman:
Describe some of the customs of the world in which the narrator has lived and comment on them.
These women are not geisha and so have much less choice in accepting or not accepting clients; how does the Amorous Woman describe the relationship between the women here and their clients? How does she get herself in trouble?
There is a kind of triangle among the Courtesans, the Theater world, and the Samurai and other men who support both. Can you comment?
Is the Amorous Woman being exploited?
Short Stories:
The Tattooer:
What is the society like in which this story takes place as described by the author?
In class we talked about the characters of the tattoo artist and the young woman he chooses for his masterpiece; what is different about their approach to pleasure? Describe how the relationship between them develops and changes.
The Greek myth of Pygmalion describes a relationship between art and love and perhaps art and obsession; what sorts of tensions are depicted here?
What have these two people created between them?
Rashomon:
What is Rashomon and what might it stand for in this story?
Describe the emotional journey of the dismissed servant once he has come to Rashomon.
What is the author's purpose here do you think, only to depress us?
Haiku:
Try to write one for yourself. (5-7-5 is the traditional syllable count but it is difficult in English; concentrate perhaps on the relationships between the three lines, the last countering and questioning the preceding two.)
