Graduate School of Humanities

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ART500B2(芸術学 / Art studies 500)
Special Lecture in Japanese Literature I A

スティーヴン・ネルソン

Class code etc
Faculty/Graduate school Graduate School of Humanities
Attached documents
Year 2023
Class code X0132
Previous Class code
Previous Class title
Term 春学期授業/Spring
Day/Period 水2/Wed.2
Class Type
Campus 市ヶ谷
Classroom name 303
Grade 院人日・修士課程・専門科目
Credit(s) 2
Notes
Class taught by instructors with practical experience
Category 日本文学専攻
(修士課程)

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Outline (in English)

Course Outline: This is a graduate class on the music of and music in The Tale of the Heike. This topic includes: 1. The Tale of the Heike as a genre of narrative music (heike-gatari); 2. the depiction of music in the tale; 3. its relationship to the music history of the time it depicts (12th century); and 4. the influence of the tale and its music on later genres of performing arts, including , kōwaka-mai, jōruri and kabuki. In the spring semester, four introductory lectures by the instructor are followed by close reading of episodes from Chapters 1 to 4, including: "Gion Shōja," "The Night Attack at the Courtiers’ Hall," "The Sea Bass," "Giō," "Shishi-no-tani," "The Matter of Tokudaiji," "Yasuyori’s Prayer," "Stupas Cast Afloat," "The Exiling of the Ministers of State," and sections of episodes from Chapter 4 dealing with Prince Mochihito and his flutes. Particular attention is paid to the correct understanding of musical structure and terminology.
Learning Objectives: Through this study of music in The Tale of the Heike, students learn to identify research issues, undertake basic research, give effective presentations, and participate actively in critical, objective debate. They also learn to read old written Japanese of various types, and traditional music notation.
Learning Activities Outside of the Classroom: Students are expected to read materials distributed ahead of class by the instructor for the first few lessons, to prepare presentations on passages from the tale, and then to write a final paper on a topic developed in consultation with the instructor during the semester.
Grading Criteria/Policy: presentations 30%; participation in discussion 30%; final paper and music assignment (transnotation) 40%.

Default language used in class

日本語 / Japanese