Introduction to Japanese Introduction to Japanese Literature and Fumiko EnchiLiterature and Fumiko Enchi

Manyoshu and Kokinshu erasManyoshu and Kokinshu eras

Dominated by women writersDominated by women writers– Manyoshu – 8Manyoshu – 8thth century century– Kokinshu – 9Kokinshu – 9thth century century

– People are often surprised to discover that People are often surprised to discover that early Japanese literature was dominated by early Japanese literature was dominated by women writers.women writers.

– Often this is associated with the freedom and Often this is associated with the freedom and relatively high political and economic position relatively high political and economic position women enjoyed during these periods.women enjoyed during these periods.

Heian Period (794-1185)Heian Period (794-1185)

Women moved increasingly into domestic Women moved increasingly into domestic roles, yet, they continued to be central to roles, yet, they continued to be central to Japanese Writing. Especially important to Japanese Writing. Especially important to their writing was the shift toward their writing was the shift toward confessional or journal writing.confessional or journal writing.

The Tale of GenjiThe Tale of Genji and and The Pillow BookThe Pillow Book, , two of the most famous Japanese classics two of the most famous Japanese classics were written by women during this period.were written by women during this period.

Feudal Times in JapanFeudal Times in Japan1168-16031168-1603

The dark ages of literature by women. The dark ages of literature by women. Women were completely confined to the Women were completely confined to the domestic space and suffered from the domestic space and suffered from the widespread practice of polygamy. There widespread practice of polygamy. There was a long period of silence during which was a long period of silence during which women lost their place in Japanese women lost their place in Japanese Literature.Literature.

LanguageLanguage

One of the things that separated women One of the things that separated women and men’s literature was the division of and men’s literature was the division of languages – Men wrote in Chinese, (kanji) languages – Men wrote in Chinese, (kanji) women in Japanese (kana). women in Japanese (kana).

Edo – 1603-1868Edo – 1603-1868

Dominated by neo-confucianism and the Dominated by neo-confucianism and the samuri class, which established its political samuri class, which established its political supremacy on “masculine” principles.supremacy on “masculine” principles.

Women writers and women’s themes Women writers and women’s themes remained dormant during this period.remained dormant during this period.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)Meiji Period (1868-1912)Taisho Period (1912-1926)Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Resurgence of women’s writingResurgence of women’s writingDuring Meiji there was increasing emphasis on During Meiji there was increasing emphasis on educating women. Their increased literacy led educating women. Their increased literacy led to an increase in writing and publication.to an increase in writing and publication.But, women writers were placed in a separate But, women writers were placed in a separate category, isolated from the real world of category, isolated from the real world of literature, the masculine world.literature, the masculine world.There were women’s literary prizes and a whole There were women’s literary prizes and a whole “genre” of work called joryu bungaku, or “genre” of work called joryu bungaku, or women’s writing, that was segregated from the women’s writing, that was segregated from the tradition of “good” or “best” or “Japanese” tradition of “good” or “best” or “Japanese” writing.writing.

Feminine WritingFeminine Writing

Women were encouraged to write in the Women were encouraged to write in the feminine style about feminine topics.feminine style about feminine topics.Some female writers became famous because Some female writers became famous because the overcame their femininity and were able to the overcame their femininity and were able to “write like a man.”“write like a man.”Though there was a “New Woman” in Japan, as Though there was a “New Woman” in Japan, as well as in the West, one who wrote about the well as in the West, one who wrote about the female ego in its pursuit of self-fulfillment and female ego in its pursuit of self-fulfillment and self-expression, there was more discrimination self-expression, there was more discrimination against the woman writer in Japan than in the against the woman writer in Japan than in the West.West.

EnchiEnchi

Like their Western counterparts, Japanese Like their Western counterparts, Japanese women began to explore the subconscious women began to explore the subconscious realm of the female psyche. realm of the female psyche.

Enchi started her career as a writer in the leftist Enchi started her career as a writer in the leftist tradition.tradition.

Then there was a long period of silence due to Then there was a long period of silence due to health problems.health problems.

When she began to write again, she focused When she began to write again, she focused almost exclusively on the female psyche.almost exclusively on the female psyche.

Women WritersWomen Writers

P. 13 of EricsonP. 13 of Ericson

Are there female and male sensibilities in Are there female and male sensibilities in writing? What might they be?writing? What might they be?

Can we take two US writers – say James Can we take two US writers – say James and Wharton or Faulkner and Welty or two and Wharton or Faulkner and Welty or two others you know, and say that they write others you know, and say that they write differently based on gender?differently based on gender?