05f-08
JAPANESE LITERATURE, MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY

Andrew MURAKAMI-SMITH (Faculty of Language and Culture)

Objective
This course is a survey of Japanese short fiction since 1868. Readings will allow students to sample a wide variety of authors by reading two stories each week. Lectures will provide background information on Japanese history, language and literature before 1868, on each writer, and on the various schools of modern Japanese literature. Students will make group presentations summarizing and responding to literary criticism on the works read. The group presentations will also stimulate discussions in class, in which students may share their interpretations of and questions about the works read. A final paper will also be due at the end of the semester.

Textbook
Theodore W. Goossen, The Oxford Book of Japanese Short Stories (Oxford Univ. Press).

Course Schedule
Week 1: Explanation of course. Overview of Japanese history, language and literature before 1868.
Week 2: Modern literature and the classical tradition. Excerpts from Higuchi Ichiyo, “Fall Wardrobe,”* Sei Shonagon, The Pillow Book ,* and Ihara Saikaku, Five Women Who Loved Love *
Week 3: Higuchi Ichiyo, “Growing Up” (1895-96)*
Week 4: Kunikida Doppo, “The Bonfire” (1896) and Nagai Kafu, “The Peony Garden” (1909)
Week 5: Satomi Ton, “Blowfish” (1913) and Kajii Motojiro, “Lemon” (1925)
Week 6: Shiga Naoya, “Night Fires” (1920) and Yokomitsu Riichi, “Spring Riding in a Carriage” (1926)
Week 7: Hayashi Fumiko, “The Accordion and the Fish Town” (1931)
Week 8: Tanizaki Junichiro, “Aguri” (1922) and The Makioka Sisters (1948) (excerpt)*
Week 9: Kawabata Yasunari, “The Izu Dancer” (1925) and “One Arm” (1963)*
Week 10: Oda Sakunosuke, “City of Trees” (1944)* and Dazai Osamu, “Merry Christmas” (1946)
Week 11: Kojima Nobuo, “The American School” (1954)*
Week 12: Mishima Yukio, “Onnagata” (1957)
Week 13: Abe Kobo, “The Bet” (1960)
Week 14: Inoue Yasushi, “Passage to Fudaraku” (1961) and Nakagami Kenji, “The Cape” (1975)*
Week 15: Tomioka Taeko, “Facing the Hills They Stand” (1971)* and Tsushima Yuko, “A Very Strange, Enchanted Boy” (1985)
Final paper due.

(Note: Works marked with * are not included in the textbook. Copies will be provided in class.)

Evaluation
Evaluation will be based on attendance, preparation for class, the group presentation, participation in class discussions, and the final paper.