| Title | : | The Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Literature: Volume 1: From Restoration to Occupation, 1868-1945 (Modern Asian Literature Series) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0231118600 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780231118606 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 863 |
| Publication | : | First published March 11, 2005 |
Organized chronologically and by genre within each period, the volume reveals the major influences in the development of modern Japanese literature: the Japanese classics themselves, the example of Chinese poetry, and the encounter with Western literature and culture. Modern Japanese writers reread the classics of Japanese literature, infused them with contemporary language, and refashioned them with an increased emphasis on psychological elements. They also reinterpreted older aesthetic concepts in light of twentieth-century mentalities. While modern ideas captured the imagination of some Japanese writers, the example of classical Chinese poetry remained important for others. Meiji writers continued to compose poetry in classical Chinese and adhere to a Confucian system of thought. Another factor in shaping modern Japanese literature was the example of foreign works, which offered new literary inspiration and opportunities for Japanese readers and writers.
Divided into four chapters, the anthology begins with the early modern texts of the 1870s, continues with works written during the years of social change preceding World War I and the innovative writing of the interwar period, and concludes with texts from World War II. Each chapter includes a helpful critical introduction, situating the works within their literary, political, and cultural contexts. Additionally, there are biographical introductions for each writer.
The Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Literature: Volume 1: From Restoration to Occupation, 1868-1945 (Modern Asian Literature Series) Reviews
-
I read through the first 3/4 of this anthology for a literature course. It covers both traditional literary traditions at use during the time period as well as emerging Western styles within a Japanese context. This particular time period, especially, reflects both from positive and negative perspectives, the literary and cultural transition from the isolationist Tokugawa era to the Westernizing Meiji period. We didn't get as far as the literature immediately leading up to the WWII era. This volume, although supplementary works are beneficial also, is very helpful as an internal perspective to this period of rapid change and cultural adaptation.
-
A lot of good stories. I have a diary full of notes. Will organize and post as a review soon.
-
If you drop the Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Literature on your foot, you will end up in a plaster bandage. Physically, it is not a pleasure to read such a brick - I have the paperback edition that already starts cracking at the spine in the middle.
But the main question is: is this a good anthology? This is a tricky question because there could be as many anthologies as readers - everyone has his or her own preferences. I am not going to talk about authors who have been unjustly excluded or included, because that is too personal. But there are some objective markers as well.
One of these: Does the anthology offer a new view of modern Japanese literature?
My answer is: not really, this Columbia Anthology does not offer a new perspective. It is again an all-too-familiar anthology of mainly prose fiction. That ties in with the Western 19th-20th century view of literature as mostly prose fictional narrative. Some poetry and drama has been included, but in number of pages really very little. One of the poetic giants of Meiji literature, Masaoka Shiki, gets only two pages…
In Japan and China, lyrical poetry and short prose forms other than fiction (in Japan called zuihitsu and nikki) have always been of great importance as literature. (Besides that, they have of course also greatly influenced narrative fiction in Japan). What I almost completely miss are these short prose forms.
Where is the "Romaji Diary" of Takuboku? Why has not one of the uta-nikki, poetry diaries of Shiki been included, for example “One drop of Ink”? What about the diaries and zuihitsu of Kafu, for example "Hiyori-geta" or "Tidings from Okubo"? What about the essays and literary criticism of Tanizaki, for example a new translation of "In Praise of Shadows"? What about the diaries of Santoka? Why is the Tono Monogatari not included as this is certainly also great literature?
The ideal anthology, doing justice to all in Japan important genres of literature would have to consist of five parts, in separate volumes:
1. Narrative Prose (prose fictional narrative)
2. Essays, diaries and letters (zuihitsu, nikki and other non-fictional literary prose)
3. Lyrical poetry (also including complete collections as "Midaregami" by Yosano Akiko)
4. Drama and film scripts (Ozu, Kurosawa!)
5. Literary theory and criticism
Let's start thinking and puzzling about what to include!
Also see my blog:
https://adblankestijn.blogspot.com/p/... -
An extensive anthology of translated Japanese short stories, novel excerpts, poetry in the old and new styles, plays and prose essays written between the Meiji period which was the beginning of the Westernization of Japan, and the end of the Second World War.
