Anthology of Japanese Literature: From the Earliest Era to the Mid-Nineteenth Century (UNESCO Collection of Representative Works: European), ISBN:9780802150585
Quick Price Check:
From $3.76 Used From $7.79 New
Make selection below
Binding: Paperback Release Date: January 1994 Edition: Second Printing E-216 List Price:$16.95
Average Customer Rating:
ISBN-13: 9780802150585 ISBN-10: 0802150586 Artist: Editor: Donald Keene Publisher: Grove Press
Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com
Summary:
The sweep of Japanese literature in all its great variety was made available to Western readers for the first time in this anthology. Every genre and style, from the celebrated No plays to the poetry and novels of the seventeenth century, find a place in this book. An introduction by Donald Keene places the selections in their proper historical context, allowing the readers to enjoy the book both as literature and as a guide to the cultural history of Japan. Selections include “Man’yoshu” or “Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves” from the ancient period; “Kokinshu” or “Collection of Ancient and Modern Poetry,” “The Tosa Diary” of Ki No Tsurayuki, “Yugao” from “Tales of Genji” of Murasaki Shikibu, and “The Pillow Book” of Sei Shonagon from the Heian Period; “The Tale of the Heike” from the Kamakura Period; Plan of the No Stage, “Birds of Sorrow” of Seami Motokiyo, and “Three Poets at Minase” from the Muromachi Period; and Sections from Basho, including “The Narrow Road of Oku,” “The Love Suicides at Sonezaki” by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, and Waka and haiku of the Tokugawa Period.
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Rating:
excelent!
Customer Rating:
The book I got has an excelent quality. I recomend it to all the people interested in japanese literature, and of course, I recomend to buy at Amazon.com
This is brilliant!
Customer Rating:
What a wonderful survey of Japanese literature from the very beginning! Ending around 1870 actually makes sense. In fact, even doing that, a lot is still left out, I'm sure, but that's what the various modern readers are for.
I had no idea this was originally published in 1955. It fooled me. I didn't know about its history or the history of its editor. I just picked it up, opened it, and began reading.
I have a pretty decent background in Japanese history and humanities, so I started skimming for favorites that I'd read ABOUT but never actually READ. Lots are in there. Even better, there's a bunch I'd never heard of, and I suppose that was the original idea.
I agree that this could be a little deeper, but cripes, it's from 1955. I'm sure it's time for a new anthology, yes, but let's not ignore this one.
The Heian era in particular provided the backdrop to the creation of some of the world's most amazing literature. Murasaki Shikibu is represented here. It would be a travesty if she were not. She's quite the interesting character, as is her rival, whose name I cannot spell off-hand and do not want to embarrass myself with. :)
There are lots of readers on the market. I've acquired most of them. As much as I enjoy the modern readers with their bite, edge and esoteric qualities (there is just something indescribable about modern Japanese culture, whether it be literature, manga, anime or video games), there will always be such a spot in my heart for this stuff, particularly that of the Heian era.
For anyone who's a fan of Japan, this isn't to be missed.
Select button not working? 
