Asian Literature:
1. China
2. India
3. Japan
CHINA
Chinese civilization is the oldest civilization in the world that dates back to the
Shang Dynasty (1765 B.C)
Known as “The Red Dragon”.
THE FIVE CLASSICS:
1. The book of changes
2. The book of history
3. The book of rites
4. The book of odes
5. The spring and autumn annals
WRITERS/ARTISTS:
MO YAN – he was a fictionist who won the 2012 Nobel Prize for the literature
His first novel was “Red Sorghum”
DU FU – also known as Tu Fu. He was the greatest Chinese poet of all time.
He wrote “The Ballad of the Army Cats”
Li Po – was one of the leading Chinese poets of the 18 th century.
His writings are about good things of life, friendship, wine, nature etc.
Confucius – Greatest philosopher of the world has known.
The word Confucius is the westernized form of his name, Kung Fu-tze
Po-Chu-I – well known Chinese poet who represented the classical tradition in Chinese
literature, politics and morality.
THE PUPPET PLAY (DOLL THEATER)
- The puppets are beautifully made and lifelike in size. The strings are expertly manipulated
and the dialogue realistically interpreted.
INDIAN LITERATURE
It is known as “Land of Prayer”
DRAVIDIANS – earliest people in India dating back to 3000-2500 B.C.
Most important epics of India:
Ramayana – is about reincarnation of the creator god Vishnu in the person of Rama, who is
the hero of the epic.
Mahabharata – deals with the other reincarnation of Vishnu in the person of Krishna.
REINCARNATION
The Indians believe in reincarnation.
The reincarnation of Vishnu are called Avatars, descending from the god.
ROOTS OF INDIAN LITERATURE
1. Rig-Veda – made up of hymns in praise of the gods. The hymns are strong, energetic
expressions comparable to the Old Testament Psalm.
4 MAJOR TEXT TYPES IN INDIAL LITERATURE
a. Samhitas – text containing mantras and benedictions.
b. Aranyakas – text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices.
c. Brahmanas – commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices.
d. Upanishads – text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge.
Sanskrit – is the primary sacred language of Hinduism, and literary language that was used as
a lingua franca in Greater India.
The word “Sanskrit” means cultivated or perfected.
Panchatantra – (Five headings) a book that contains the first fable ever written.
SHAkuntala – a king who goes hunting in the woods and meets a beautiful maiden named
shakuntala.
Vedas
- the bible of Indians. Means “knowledge”
- are large body of text originating in the ancient Indian subcontinent.
FOUR Vedas
a. Rigveda – ancient Indian collection of vedic Sanskrit hymns recited during Hindu rites of
passage celebrations such as weddings and religious prayers.
b. Yajurveda – a religious reverence, veneration, worship, sacrifice, sacrificial prayer.
c. Samaveda – Veda of melodies and chants. It is set into music.
d. Atharvaveda – Formulas and spell intended to counteract diseases and calamities.
5 books of panchantanra
1. Mitra-bheda – Separation of Friends
2. Mitra-labha – The Gaining of Friends (The Dove, Crow, Mouse, Tortoise and Deer)
3. Kakolukiyam – War and Peace
4. Labdhapranasam – Loss of Gains
5. Apariksitakaram – I11 Considered Actions
INDIAN DRAMA
Bhasa – The first great name in Indian Drama (13 plays are attributed to him)
Writers
Rabindranath Tagore – was a great Indian poet and dramatist. He was awarded the Nobel
Prize for literature in 1913 and was knighted by the British government in 1915.
Kalidasa – the greatest writer of plays. He is the author of Shakuntala.
He is called the brightest of the “nine gems of genius”.
JAPANESE LITERATURE
One of the major Oriental Literatures
Katakana – basic alphabet in japan which consists of 46 characters.
Earliest Ancient Japanese Literary works:
1. Kojiki – Records of ancient matters
2. Nihongi – Chronicles of japan
JAPANESE DRAMA
1. Noh play
2. Joruri or puppet play
3. Kabuki play
Japan
Japanese literature reflects simple yet complex, imperfect yet abounding with beauty.
“The Land of the Rising Sun”
ARTISTS/WRITERS:
ABE KOBO – A Japanese novelist and playwright and also known as by “Pseudonym of Abe
Kimifusa”
– He wrote “Tomodachi” (Friends), a story contains dark humor.
– He also won the 1967 Akutagawa Award. And also won Akutagawa award in 1951
for his short novel “The Wall”.
- Haruki Murakami – A Japanese novelist who won the International Award Jerusalem Prize.
– Won the Gunzuo Literature Prize for his first novel “Hear the Wind Sing”.
– His works has been translated into more than 50 languages.
- Ryunosuke Akutagaw – A Japanese writer and regarded as the Father of the Japanese short
story
– He wrote the short story “Rashomon”.
– The Akutagawa Prize, Japan’s premier literary award was named after him
to honor his memory after died by committing suicide.
- Kimitake Hiraoka – Known by the pen name Mishima Yukio, The most important Japanese
novelist of the 20th century.
– He wrote the novel “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion” and won Yomiuri Prize.
JAPANESE POETRY
- Manyo Shu (Collecting of myriad leaves) – Oldest collection of poetry
- Haiku – Shortest form of Japanese poetry. 17 Syllable poem in 3 lines 575 syllables.
- Tanka – A 5-line poem. 5 syllables each and others 7.
KOREA LITERATURE
Greatly influenced by China’s cultural dominance.
Hangul, Korean’s distinct writing system and national alphabet.
The Korean War has made a significant mark on their literature.
Alienation, Conscience, Disintegration, and Self Identity.
WRITERS
Ch’oe Nam-Seon – One of his works “The Ocean to the Youth” made him widely acclaimed poet.
– He sought to bring modern knowledge about the world to the youth of Korea.
– He was considered a prominent historian.
Yi Kwang-su – He was a novelist and wrote the first Korean novel “The Heartless” and become
well-know.
