• Part I. The Ancient Period (Beginnings to 794)-- Part II. The Heian Period (794-1185)-- Part III. The Medieval Period (1185-1600)-- Part IV. The Edo Period (1600-1867)-- Part V. The Modern Period (1868 to Present).
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

The Cambridge History of Japanese Literature provides, for the first time, a history of Japanese literature with comprehensive coverage of the premodern and modern eras in a single volume. The book is arranged topically in a series of short, accessible chapters for easy access and reference, giving insight into both canonical texts and many lesser known, popular genres, from centuries-old folk literature to the detective fiction of modern times. The various period introductions provide an overview of recurrent issues that span many decades, if not centuries. The book also places Japanese literature in a wider East Asian tradition of Sinitic writing and provides comprehensive coverage of women's literature as well as new popular literary forms, including manga (comic books). An extensive bibliography of works in English enables readers to continue to explore this rich tradition through translations and secondary reading.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• AcknowledgmentsHistorical Periods, Major Texts and Authors, and TermsIntroduction1. The Ancient Period2. The Heian Period3. The Kamakura Period4. The Muromachi PeriodEnglish-Language BibliographyIndex.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

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.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)
Stretching from ancient times to the late medieval period, Traditional Japanese Literature spans both high and popular styles and contains key examples of poetry, drama, prose fiction, and essays. Its depth and breadth have made the anthology an indispensable resource for classroom and individual study. For this abridged edition, Shirane retains substantial excerpts from such masterworks as The Tale of Genji, The Tales of the Heike, The Pillow Book, Man'yoshu, and Kokinshu. He preserves his comprehensive survey of secular and religious anecdotes (setsuwa) as well as classical poems with extensive commentary. He features classic no drama; selections from influential war epics; and notable essays on poetry, fiction, history, and religion. Texts are interwoven, bringing common themes, styles, and allusions into sharp relief while inviting comparison and debate. The conscientious incorporation of well-known classics and lesser-known popular texts enables a rich encounter with classical and medieval Japanese culture and history, and each text and genre benefits from extensive introductions offering sociopolitical and cultural context. The anthology is divided 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 Abridged Edition: "The field has been waiting for a comprehensive anthology like this. It provides not only a representative but a generous sampling of the best of Japanese prose and poetry."--Sonja Arntzen, University of Toronto Praise for Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600: "Haruo Shirane has done a splendid job at this herculean task. What is particularly notable is the variety of texts included--ancient gazetteers, prayers, sermons, works originally written in Chinese, etc. Many of these works have not been translated previously, and the bibliographies are also excellent."--Joshua Mostow, University of British Columbia "A comprehensive and innovative anthology...All of the introductions are excellent."--The Journal of Asian Studies "One of those impressive, erudite, must-have titles for anyone interested in Asian literature." --The Bloomsbury Review "An anthology that comprises superb translations of an exceptionally wide range of texts, each with a pithy introduction...Highly recommended."--Choice "A wealth of material."--Monumenta Nipponica.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Historical Periods, Major Texts and Authors, and Terms Introduction
• 1. The Ancient Period
• 2. The Heian Period
• 3. The Kamakura Period
• 4. The Northern and Southern Courts Period
• 5. The Muromachi Period English-Language Bibliography Index.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

"Traditional Japanese Literature" features a rich array of works dating from the very beginnings of the Japanese written language through the evolution of Japan's noted aristocratic court and warrior cultures. It contains stunning new translations of such canonical texts as "The Tales of the Heike" as well as works and genres previously ignored by scholars and unknown to general readers. This volume includes generous selections from Man'yysh, "The Tale of Genji", "The Pillow Book", "Kokinsh", and other classics of Japanese literature, as well as a stunning range of folk literature, epic tales of war, poetry, and no drama. The anthology offers an impressive representation of dramatic, poetic, and fictional works from both high and low culture, along with religious and secular anecdotes, literary criticism, and works written in Chinese by Japanese writers. The wealth of classical poetry, linked verse, and popular poetry is accompanied by extensive commentary. "Traditional Japanese Literature" is a companion volume to Columbia University Press' "Early Modern Japanese Literature: An Anthology, 1600-1900" and part of its four-volume history of Japanese literature. Arranged by chronology and genre, the readings are insightfully introduced and placed into their political, cultural, and literary context, and the extensive bibliographies offer further study for scholars and readers. Including a wide range of classic and popular works in poetry, prose, and drama, this anthology presents a definitive overview of traditional Japanese literature and deepens our understanding of classical and medieval Japanese culture.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Acknowledgments Historical Periods, Major Texts and Authors, and Terms Introduction
• 1. The Ancient Period
• 2. The Heian Period
• 3. The Kamakura Period
• 4. The Muromachi Period English-Language Bibliography Index.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

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.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Preface and AcknowledgmentsA Note on the TranslationsIntroduction to Anecdotal (Setsuwa) LiteratureRecord of Miraculous Events in JapanTales of Times Now Past A Collection of Tales from UjiA Companion in SolitudeA Collection of Things Written and Heard in the Past and PresentTales of RenunciationCollection of Sand and PebblesBibliography of Translations and Studies in Western Languages.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

Burton Watson and Haruo Shirane, renowned translators and scholars, introduce English-speaking readers to the vivid tradition of early and medieval Japanese anecdotal ( setsuwa) literature. These orally narrated and written tales drew on both local folk tradition and continental sources. Taken from seven major anthologies of anecdotal literature compiled between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, these dramatic and often amusing stories open a major window onto the foundations of Japanese culture. Out of thousands of setsuwa, Shirane has selected thirty-eight of the most powerful and influential, each of which is briefly introduced. Recounting the exploits of warriors, farmers, priests, and aristocrats, and concerning topics as varied as poetry, violence, power, and sex, these tales reveal the creative origins of a range of literary and dramatic genres, from court tales and travel accounts to no drama and Kabuki. Watson's impeccable translations relay the wit, mystery, and Buddhist sensibility of these protean works, while Shirane's sophisticated analysis illuminates the meaning and context of their compact stories. Capped by an extensive bibliography, this collection fully immerses the reader in the thrilling world of secular and religious tales.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)
Haruo Shirane and Burton Watson, renowned translators and scholars, introduce English-speaking readers to the vivid tradition of early and medieval Japanese folktales. Taken from seven major anthologies of anecdotal ( setsuwa) literature compiled between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, these dramatic and often amusing stories offer a major view of the foundations of Japanese culture. Out of thousands of setsuwa, Shirane has selected thirty-eight of the most powerful and influential tales, each of which is briefly introduced. Recounting the exploits of warriors, farmers, priests, and aristocrats, and concerning topics as varied as poetry, violence, power, and sex, these texts reveal the creative origins of a range of literary genres, from court tales and travel accounts to noh drama and kabuki. Watson's impeccable translations relay the wit, mystery, and Buddhist sensibility of these protean works, and Shirane's sophisticated analysis illuminates the meaning of the tales, as well as the character of the anthologies. A comprehensive bibliography completes the volume.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Preface and Acknowledgments A Note on the Translations Introduction to Anecdotal (Setsuwa) Literature Record of Miraculous Events in Japan Tales of Times Now Past A Collection of Tales from Uji A Companion in Solitude A Collection of Things Written and Heard in the Past and Present Tales of Renunciation Collection of Sand and Pebbles Bibliography of Translations and Studies in Western Languages.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

Haruo Shirane and Burton Watson, renowned translators and scholars, introduce English-speaking readers to the vivid tradition of early and medieval Japanese folktales. Taken from seven major anthologies of anecdotal ( setsuwa) literature compiled between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, these dramatic and often amusing stories offer a major view of the foundations of Japanese culture.Out of thousands of setsuwa, Shirane has selected thirty-eight of the most powerful and influential tales, each of which is briefly introduced. Recounting the exploits of warriors, farmers, priests, and aristocrats, and concerning topics as varied as poetry, violence, power, and sex, these texts reveal the creative origins of a range of literary genres, from court tales and travel accounts to noh drama and kabuki. Watson' s impeccable translations relay the wit, mystery, and Buddhist sensibility of these protean works, and Shirane' s sophisticated analysis illuminates the meaning of the tales, as well as the character of the anthologies. A comprehensive bibliography completes the volume.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)
Burton Watson and Haruo Shirane, renowned translators and scholars, introduce English-speaking readers to the vivid tradition of early and medieval Japanese anecdotal (setsuwa) literature. These orally narrated and written tales drew on both local folk tradition and continental sources. Taken from seven major anthologies of anecdotal literature compiled between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, these dramatic and often amusing stories open a major window onto the foundations of Japanese culture. Out of thousands of setsuwa, Shirane has selected thirty-eight of the most powerful and influential, each of which is briefly introduced. Recounting the exploits of warriors, farmers, priests, and aristocrats, and concerning topics as varied as poetry, violence, power, and sex, these tales reveal the creative origins of a range of literary and dramatic genres, from court tales and travel accounts to no drama and Kabuki. Watson's impeccable translations relay the wit, mystery, and Buddhist sensibility of these protean works, while Shirane's sophisticated analysis illuminates the meaning and context of their compact stories. Capped by an extensive bibliography, this collection fully immerses the reader in the thrilling world of secular and religious tales.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Introduction: Secondary nature, climate, and landscape
• Poetic topics and the making of the four seasons
• Visual culture, classical poetry, and linked verse
• Interiorization, flowers, and social ritual
• Rural landscape, social difference, and conflict
• Trans-seasonality, talismans, and landscape
• Annual observances, famous places, and entertainment
• Seasonal pyramid, parody, and botany
• Conclusion: History, genre, and social community.

Elegant representations of nature, explicitly the four seasons, fill a wide range of Japanese genres and media-from poetry and screen painting to tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and annual observances. Haruo Shirane shows, for the first time, how, when, and why this occurred and explicates the richly encoded social, religious, and political meanings these representations embodied.Refuting the long held belief that this phenomenon reflects agrarian origins, this book demonstrates how elegant representations of the four seasons first emerged in an urban environment among nobility in the eight century. They became highly codified and then spread to different social classes, eventually settling in popular culture and the pleasure quarters. Shirane accounts for all types of manifestations: textual (poetry, chronicles, tales), cultivated (gardens, flower arrangement), material (kimonos, screens), performative (noh drama, festivals), and gastronomic (tea ceremony, food rituals). He reveals how this kind of "secondary nature, " which flourished in Japan's urban architecture and gardens, frequently fostered a sense of harmony with the natural world-just at the point at which it was receding. Eventually, alternative representations of nature derived from farm villages and elsewhere began to intersect with these elegant representations in the capital, creating a complex web of competing associations.Anyone with an interest in Japanese visual arts, literature, cultural history, and social customs will relish this book, which illuminates the deeper meaning behind Japanese aesthetics and artifacts. Shirane explicates nature's complex codification, especially the use of images, the seasons to which they were attached, and the changes in cultural associations across history, genre, and community. His fascinating research shows these seasons to be as much a cultural construction as a reflection of the physical world.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)