GBPGBP (Global Business Program)

This course focuses on the major literary figures and their representative works of early modern, modern and contemporary Japanese literature. The works will be discussed with regard to the circumstances and background that shaped the authors' way of thinking. The course will also include a lesson introducing two significant works of medieval literature to shed light on one of the crucial concepts in Japanese culture - transience. There will also be a lesson introducing two major women poets of Okinawa.

Goals:
1. to learn about the major literary figures of pre-modern, modern and contemporary Japanese literature
2. to gain an appreciation of the depth and atmosphere of their literary works as well as the beauty of the English translations

英語 / English

This course is based on lectures by the instructor featuring the use of written and audio-visual materials. In addition, every student will be required to deliver a class presentation on a given topic, to submit a short written summary of the presentation topic and an essay and to complete a short written exam at the end of the semester. The topics for the presentation will be distributed at the beginning of the course.
Comments and explanation about assignments and answers to questions from students are given at the end of each class.
This course is in principle a face-to-face course. However, the first lecture will be taught online on Zoom. Please see HOPPII for further instructions about how to join our Zoom session.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1.[オンライン/online]：Introduction

Introduction to course; brief self-introduction; scheduling of presentations

2.[対面/face to face]：Transience in Japanese poetry

The concept of transience as portrayed in Essays in Idleness (Tsurezuregusa, written by Buddhist priest Kenkō)the waka anthology A Hundred Poems by a Hundred Poets (Hyakunin Isshu, compiled by Fujiwara no Teika)

3.[対面/face to face]：Haikai poetry

Transition from comic haikai poetry to the mastering of haiku; Matsuo Bashō; Hints for appreciating and writing haiku

4.[対面/face to face]：Poetry of Okinawa

Two women poets of Okinawa: Yoshiya Tsuru and Onna Nabe and their ryūka poems

5.[対面/face to face]：Literature of the floating world

The rising merchant society during the Edo period; stories of the floating world (ukiyo zōshi); Ihara Saikaku: The Life of an Amorous Man (Kōshoku Ichidai Otoko) and Five Women who Loved Love (Kōshoku Gonin Onna)

6.[対面/face to face]：Tales of the supernatural in pre-modern literature

Ueda Akinari and his Tales of Moonlight and Rain (Ugetsu Monogatari)

7.[対面/face to face]：Tales of the supernatural in modern literature

Akutagawa Ryūnosuke and the influence of Japanese Tales from Times Past (Konjaku Monogatari Shū); short stories In a Grove (Yabu no Naka) and Rashōmon

8.[対面/face to face]：The world of fantasy and reality of Miyazawa Kenji

Miyazawa Kenji: fantasy novel Milky Way Railroad (Ginga Tetsudō no Yoru), poem Be not Defeated by the Rain (Ame ni mo makezu)

9.[対面/face to face]：Modern novelists, Part 1

Natsume Sōseki: his life and literary works, particularly the novel I Am a Cat (Wagahai wa Neko de aru)

10.[対面/face to face]：Modern novelists, Part 2

Mishima Yukio (Confessions of a Mask; Kamen no Kokuhaku)

11.[対面/face to face]：Modern novelists, Part 3

Tanizaki Junichirō and his works The Key (Kagi)and In Praise of Shadows (Inei Raisan)

12.[対面/face to face]：Modern novelists, Part 4

Nobel Prize winner Kawabata Yasunari and his masterpiece Snow Country (Yukiguni)

13.[対面/face to face]：Contemporary literature

Yoshimoto Banana and Haruki Murakami and their representative works

14.[対面/face to face]：Course wrap up

Submit short summary of presentation and essay; final written exam

Please prepare a short self-introduction for the first class. In addition, each student will be asked to deliver an oral presentation on a designated topic and to submit a short written summary of the presentation and essay at the end of the semester. Students are also expected to actively engage in class discussions and to revise all of the readings done in class, as they will form the basis for the discussions and questions on the final exam. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

No textbooks will be used. Handouts and reading materials on each lesson's topic together with the specified sources will be distributed by the lecturer through HOPPII.

Selected references:
Keene, Donald. Appreciations of Japanese Culture. Tokyo, New York & London: Kodansha International, Ltd., 1971. First paperback edition, 1981.
Keene, Donald. World Within Walls – Japanese Literature of the Pre-Modern Era, 1600-1867. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1976.
Petersen, Gwen Boardman. The Moon in the Water – Understanding Tanizaki, Kawabata and Mishima. Honolulu: The University Press of Hawaii, 1979.

Further references related to the topic of each class will be provided by the lecturer.

Class attendance and oral participation are expected; failure to participate in class will result in the subtraction of marks from the total. Grading criteria: oral presentation and written summary (50%); final examination and essay (50%).

There are no student comments that would require major changes to the course.

Please check HOPPII for further instructions about the course.