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物語
is a literary form in traditional Japanese literature – an extended prose narrative tale comparable to epic literature. ''Monogatari'' is closely tied to aspects of the oral tradition, and almost always relates a fictional or fictionalized story, even when retelling a historical event. Many of the great works of Japanese fiction, such as the '' Genji Monogatari'' and the '' Heike Monogatari'', are in the ''monogatari'' form. History The form was prominent around the 9th to 15th centuries, reaching a peak between the 10th and 13th centuries. ''Monogatari'' was the court literature during the Heian era and also persisted in the form of archaic fiction until the sixteenth century. The '' Fūyō Wakashū'' (1271) indicates that at least 198 ''monogatari'' existed by the 13th century. Today, only 24 exist. Genres The genre is subdivided into multiple categories depending on their contents: ''Denki-monogatari'' Stories dealing with fantastical events. ''Uta-monogatari'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Medieval Japanese Literature
Japan's medieval period (the Kamakura period, Kamakura, Nanbokuchō period, Nanbokuchō and Muromachi period, Muromachi periods, and sometimes the Azuchi–Momoyama period) was a transitional period for the nation's literature. Kyoto ceased being the sole literary centre as important writers and readerships appeared throughout the country, and a wider variety of genres and literary forms developed accordingly, such as the ''gunki monogatari'' and ''otogi-zōshi'' prose narratives, and ''renga'' linked verse, as well as various theatrical forms such as ''noh''. Medieval Japanese literature can be broadly divided into two periods: the early and late , the former lasting roughly 150 years from the late 12th to the mid-14th century, and the latter until the end of the 16th century. The early saw a continuation of the Heian literature, literary trends of the classical period, with court fiction (''monogatari'') continuing to be written, and composition of ''waka (poetry), waka'' poet ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Genji Monogatari
is a classic work of Japanese literature written by the noblewoman, poet, and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu around the peak of the Heian period, in the early 11th century. It is one of history's first novels, the first by a woman to have won global recognition, and in Japan today has a stature like that of Shakespeare in England. The work is a depiction of the lifestyles of high courtiers during the Heian period. It is written mostly in Japanese phonetic script (''hiragana''), in a vernacular style associated with women's writing of the time (not the same as "vernacular Japanese", which only appeared in late 19th century), not in Chinese characters (''kanji'') used for more prestigious literature, and its archaic language and poetic style require specialised study. The original manuscript no longer exists but there are more than 300 later manuscript copies of varying reliability. It was made in " concertina" or style: several sheets of paper pasted together and folded alter ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Tale Of The Bamboo Cutter
is a (fictional prose narrative) containing elements of Japanese folklore. Written by an unknown author in the late 9th or early 10th century during the Heian period, it is considered the oldest surviving work in the form. The story details the life of Kaguya-hime, a princess from the Moon who is discovered as a baby inside the stalk of a glowing bamboo plant. After she grows, her beauty attracts five suitors seeking her hand in marriage, whom she turns away by challenging them each with an impossible task; she later attracts the affection of the Emperor of Japan. At the tale's end, Kaguya-hime reveals her celestial origins and returns to the Moon. The story is also known as , after its protagonist.Katagiri et al. 1994: 81. Background ''The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter'' is considered the oldest surviving , though its exact date of composition is unknown.Katagiri et al. 1994: 95. The oldest surviving manuscript is dated to 1592. A poem in the , a 10th-century work that describ ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Torikaebaya Monogatari
, translated into English as ''The Changelings'', is a Japanese tale from the late Heian period (794 to 1185) by an unknown author, or possibly more than one author. It is four volumes in length.Kubota (2007:255) It is the tale of two siblings whose mannerisms are those of the opposite sex, and their relationships in the Emperor's court. It has been adapted as a novel, two different manga series, and a Takarazuka Revue play. It was translated into English in 1983. The reception of the tale over time has depended on how the society sees sex and gender issues, with one reading of it being as a ribald erotic comedy, while another reading is as a serious attempt to discuss sex and gender issues through a Heian Buddhist understanding. Story The story tells of a Sadaijin (high-ranking courtier) who has two similar-looking children by different mothers, but their mannerisms are those of the opposite sex. The title, "Torikaebaya", literally means "If only I could exchange them!", a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Heike Monogatari
is an epic account compiled prior to 1330 of the struggle between the Taira clan and Minamoto clan for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War (1180–1185). It has been translated into English at least five times. The first translation was by Arthur Lindsay Sadler, in 1918–1921. A complete translation in nearly 800 pages by Hiroshi Kitagawa & Bruce T. Tsuchida was published in 1975. It was also translated by Helen McCullough in 1988. An abridged translation by Burton Watson was published in 2006. In 2012, Royall Tyler completed his translation, which, he says, seeks to be mindful of the performance style for which the work was originally intended. Historical novelist Eiji Yoshikawa published a prose rendering in the '' Asahi Weekly'' in 1950, under the title ' (''Shin Heike Monogatari''). Background Title Heike () refers to the Taira (), ''hei'' being the ''on'yomi'' reading of the first ''kanji'' and "ke" () meaning "family". However, in t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Utsubo Monogatari
is a late 10th century Japanese story. It is Japan's oldest full-length narrative.Kubota (2007:34)Nihon Koten Bungaku Daijiten Henshū Iinkai (1986:170-173) Twenty volumes exist that are dominated by two plotlines: about a family of master virtuosos who have learnt the art of playing the koto from celestial beings and acquired it as a hereditary gift from a Buddha and the story of a rich court nobleman named Minamoto no Masayori from the Fujiwara family and his ninth daughter Atemiya, who is the subject of courtship by many nobles, Atemiya becomes the wife of the emperor and her son his successor. Composition The author is unknown. Minamoto no Shitagō is cited as a likely candidate; however, it may have had multiple authors spanning a number of years. The text is referenced in a number of later works such as (), (1002), and (), suggesting compilation between . The text is illustrated in an by Asukabe no Tsunenori, with calligraphy by Ono no Michikaze. References to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ochikubo Monogatari
, also known as ''The Tale of Ochikubo'', is a story from the Heian period which is similar to the famous fairy tale Cinderella. ''Ochikubo Monogatari'' was written during the later part of the 10th century by an unknown author. It is known as the oldest surviving tale in Japanese literature to include harassment and bullying from a stepmother. ''Ochikubo Monogatari'''s well-formed plot and vivid description of characters influenced many writers such as Murasaki Shikibu, author of ''The Tale of Genji is a classic work of Japanese literature written by the noblewoman, poet, and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu around the peak of the Heian period, in the early 11th century. It is one of history's first novels, the first by a woman to have wo ...''. The lively dialogues are also of particular quality. Overview The title "Ochikubo" comes from the name of the room in which the protagonist, a miserable lady, lives. The beautiful protagonist, Ochikubo Lady, is forced to live in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eiga Monogatari
is a Japanese ''monogatari'' and epic account that relates events in the life of the imperial courtier Fujiwara no Michinaga. It is believed to have been written by a number of authors between 1028 and 1107 during the Heian era. It is notable for giving considerable credit to the Fujiwara family, especially Michinaga. It was translated into English by William H. and Helen Craig McCullough in 1980 as ''A Tale of Flowering Fortunes''. It forms the basis for, and is frequently referenced in Fumiko Enchi's retelling, ''A Tale of False Fortunes''. Summary The ''monogatari'' is related both to official court histories, such as the ''Rikkokushi'', and to other prose fiction, such as ''The Tale of Genji''. It discusses the life and exploits of Michinaga and his family following his death. The first part, thirty volumes detailing the period from the reign of Emperor Uda until Michinaga's death, is believed to have been written between 1028 and 1034 by Akazome Emon and/or Fujiwara no ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ōkagami
is a Japanese historical tale written around 1119 by an unknown author. It covers the period from 850 to 1025, the golden days of the Fujiwara family's rule. It is called a , along with the records of the '' Eiga Monogatari''. In the tale, the writer listens to a conversation mainly led by a 190-year-old man, , who recalls the past. A 180-year-old man, , adds comments and a young samurai puts questions to these two elders. This narrative strategy makes the story vivid and allows for the natural addition of various opinions and criticisms. The structure is modelled after traditional Chinese history books like the ''Records of the Grand Historian''. It consists of Preface, Stories of Emperors, Stories of Ministers, Miscellaneous Stories and Post-fin. This and three other tales with in their titles—''Imakagami'', '' Mizukagami'', ''Masukagami''—are collectively called the . Translations There are two translations into English: * ''The Ōkagami: A Japanese Historical Tale'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai
was a popular didactic Buddhism, Buddhist-inspired parlour game during the Edo period in Japan. Play The game is played after nightfall in one of two ways. The simplest form involves participants sitting in a circle in a room where 100 Traditional lighting equipment of Japan#Andon, andon lamps or candles are lit. As participants take turns telling ghost stories and tales of the supernatural, a lantern is snuffed out after each story, causing the room to become darker and darker as the night and the game progress. A second variation integrates elements of a kimodameshi "test of courage" into the game. Rather than one room, three connected rooms are used. In one of the end rooms, 99 andon lamps or candles are lit, and a small mirror positioned on a table. Guests gather in the other end room, with the 100th lamp. The center room remains empty and unlit. Ideally, the rooms are arranged in an L-shape so guests can see the light from the lantern room, but have no direct line of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ise Monogatari
is a Japanese ''uta monogatari'', or collection of ''waka (poetry), waka'' poems and associated narratives, dating from the Heian period. The current version collects 125 sections, with each combining poems and prose, giving a total of 209 poems in most versions. Concerning the exact date of composition and authorship there is only unresolved speculation. The identity of the nameless, idealised central character is unclear, though it is suggested to be Ariwara no Narihira (825–880). Thirty of the poems from ''The Tales of Ise'' appear in the ''Kokin Wakashū'' (905), with similar headnotes, all attributed to Narihira. The combination of these poems, and the similarity of some events in the tales to Narihira's life, have led to the additional suggestion that Narihira actually composed the work; however, the inclusion of material and events dating after 880 suggests otherwise. Title The late-eleventh centuryKeene 1999 : 518–519. work known as ''Sagoromo Monogatari, The Tale ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
