Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600 (Translations from the Asian Classics): An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600, Abridged Edition - Softcover

Shirane, Haruo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0231157312 ISBN 13: 9780231157315

Publisher: Columbia University Press, 2012

Synopsis

Haruo Shirane's critically acclaimed Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600, contains key examples of both high and low styles of poetry, drama, prose fiction, and essays. For this abridged edition, Shirane retains substantial excerpts from such masterworks as The Tale of Genji, The Tales of the Heike, The Pillow Book, the Man'yoshu, and the Kokinshu. He preserves his comprehensive survey of secular and religious anecdotes (setsuwa) as well as classical poems with extensive commentary. He features no drama; selections from influential war epics; and notable essays on poetry, fiction, history, and religion. Texts are interwoven to bring into focus common themes, styles, and allusions while inviting comparison and debate. The result is a rich encounter with ancient and medieval Japanese culture and history. Each text and genre is enhanced by extensive introductions that provide sociopolitical and cultural context. The anthology is organized by period, genre, and topic-an instructor-friendly structure-and a comprehensive bibliography guides readers toward further study. Praise for Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600 "Haruo Shirane has done a splendid job at this herculean task."-Joshua Mostow, University of British Columbia "A comprehensive and innovative anthology...All of the introductions are excellent."-Journal of Asian Studies "One of those impressive, erudite, must-have titles for anyone interested in Asian literature."-Bloomsbury Review "An anthology that comprises superb translations of an exceptionally wide range of texts...Highly recommended."-Choice "A wealth of material."-Monumenta Nipponica

About this title

Review:

An invaluable compilation of and guide to pre-modern Japanese literature.--Alexander Jacoby "Times Literary Supplement "

Thanks to the skillful translations and erudite but clear and concise introductory essays, this volume will undoubtedly displace earlier anthologies.... It is suitable for carrying to class.... Recommended.--Choice

About the Author:

Haruo Shirane is Shincho Professor of Japanese Literature and Culture at Columbia University. His books include Japan and the Culture of the Four Seasons: Nature, Literature, and the Arts; Envisioning The Tale of Genji: Media, Gender, and Cultural Production; Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600; Early Modern Japanese Literature: An Anthology, 1600-1900; Classical Japanese: A Grammar; Traces of Dreams: Landscape, Cultural Memory, and the Poetry of Basho; and The Bridge of Dreams: A Poetics of the Tale of Genji.

About this edition

• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0231157312
• ISBN 13: 9780231157315
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 640