| Course Number |
| Course Title |
Credits |
Instructor(s) |
Japan Seen in Brief:
Short Stories of the Twentieth Century
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2 |
Reinhold Grinda |
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| Keywords |
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Course
Description
(including Goal and Objectives) |
During the past one hundred years, Japan has had a flood of short writings. Long novels get more famous, awards and all, but many of the shorter works are both more powerful and more readable. In this course, we are going to read some of the most famous Japanese writers of their day, and see some of their time and country through their eyes. These writings from the first half of the 20th century offer enough glimpses of actual Japan to make worthwhile reading even in translation.
These are short pieces, so we are going to read at least one per session. Explanations about the authors, works, point of view, and background will be given at the beginning of each session, after which we will enter into discussion, participants contributing questions as well as comments on points of interest.
There will be no reports demanded from participants, just a short English-speaking presentation on a course-related topic of the presenter's own choice, accompanied by a written handout, in one of the final sessions.
As for texts, there are going to be both originals and English translations at hand, so this course won't rely too much on participants' Japanese ability. Readings will be chosen from among the following works:
1. Tayama Katai: One Soldier (1908, tr. Sargent)
2. Mori Ogai: Under Reconstruction (1910, tr. Morris)
3. Kume Masao: The Tiger (1918, tr. Brower)
4. Yokomitsu Riichi: After Picking Up a Blue Stone; The Depths of the Town; The Pale Captain (1925/26, tr. Dennis Keene)
5. Tokuda Shusei: Order of the White Paulownia (1935, tr. Morris)
6. Nagai Kafu: The Decoration (1942, tr. Seidensticker)
7. Dazai Osamu: The Courtesy Call (1946, tr. Morris)
8. Dazai Osamu: Villon's Wife (1947, tr. Keene)
9. Hara Tamiki: Summer Flower (1947, tr. Saito)
10. Hayashi Fumiko:Tokyo/Downtown (1948, tr. Morris)
11. Nagai Kafu: The Scavengers (1948, tr. Seidensticker)
12. Hayashi Fumiko: Bones (1949, tr. Takaya)
13. Hirabayashi Taiko: A Man's Life (1950, tr. Saito)
14. Nagai Tatsuo: Morning Mist (1950, tr. Seidensticker)
15. Ibuse Masuji: The Charcoal Bus (1952, tr. Morris)
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| Course Schedule |
| 1 |
Japan's Way from Modernization until after the War, a Brief Overview |
| 2-13 |
Reading and Discussion |
| 14-15 |
Presentation Sessions |
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| Textbook(s) |
Prints |
| Reference(s) |
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| Grading Method |
Active Participation |
60 % |
| Presentation & Handout |
40 % |
| Message to Students |
Great writers on interesting times… Enjoy a small, interesting, and very informal journey into Twentieth Century Japan and its literature. |
| Contacts |
E-mail: grinda@kdw.kj.yamagata-u.ac.jp
Office Hour: Wed, 4:30 to 5:30
Office Telephone: 023-628-4934
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