About book Anthology Of Japanese Literature: From The Earliest Era To The Mid-Nineteenth Century (1994)
Reading this five-period anthology of Japanese literature is definitely rewarding if its readers get interested in knowing more on some interesting selections translated from Japanese as compiled and edited by Donald Keene. Some might not agree due to its incomplete excerpts but, I think, we need to be content with such an anthology since it's impossible to read all originals in Japanese. Moreover, we can do that if we really know Japanese and can read all we want online via Project Gutenburg (I tried searching an ebook of 'The Tale of Genji' there but in vain, I think we've to keep waiting) or some good national library websites in Japan.I liked most prose selections and some parts of the plays, however, as for the Haiku or Waga poems, etc. I think we can grasp the meaning of each topic as well as we can since we certainly appreciate more in terms of its shades of literary meaning if we studied and knew Japanese well.The following excerpts are taken from the three selections I liked most: they are from Kamakura Period, Muromachi Period and Tokugawa Period respectively. I'm sorry to skip the preceding two periods, that is, Ancient Period and Heian Period because I would like to encourage my friends to read the selections there and share their views.1.tAn Account of my Hut by Kamo no Chomei [written in 1212, 800 years ago exactly]… I do not prescribe my way of life to men enjoying happiness and wealth, but have related my experiences merely to show the differences between my former and present life. Ever since I fled the world and become a priest, I have known neither hatred nor fear. I leave my span of days for Heaven to determine, neither clinging to life nor begrudging its end. My body is like a drifting cloud – I ask for nothing, I want nothing. My great joy is a quiet nap; my only desire for this life is to see the beauties of the seasons. (p. 211) …2.tEssays in Idleness by Yoshida Kenko…It is a joyful thing indeed to hold intimate converse with a man after one’s own heart, chatting without reserve about things of interest or the fleeting topics of the world; but such, alas, are few and far between. Not that one desires a companion who will sit opposite and never utter a word of contradiction – one might as well alone. Far better in hours of loneliness the company of one who, while he will listen with respect to your views, will disagree a little, and argue, saying “Yes, that is so, but …” or “For this reason such and such is the case.” And yet, with those who are not of the same way of thinking or are contentious, a man can discuss only things of passing interest, for the truth is there must not be any wide gulf between bosom friends. (p. 234)…3.tThe Biography of Snowflake by Rai Sanyo…By nature Snowflake was of a high-spirited, gallant disposition. She devoted little attention to business affairs, but studied instead calligraphy and painting with the Master of the Willow Stream Garden, and took lessons in swordsmanship and judo. She was pale, large, and portly, with great strength in her limbs. Two women attendants named Tortoise (Okame) and Mountain Peak (Oiwa) – both of whom were very strong and brave – constantly followed Snowflake about. At this time she had just turned sixteen, and her two companions were likewise in the bloom of their beauty. Young idlers and ruffians meeting them on the street would often tease the girls and challenge them to a battle. At such times Snowflake would glance meaningfully at her attendants, and they would thereupon knock the boys to the ground, often so hard that they could not get up again. (p. 441)…Moreover, I think "What the Seasons Brought to the Almanac-Maker" (1686) by Ihara Saikaku under the title of "The Lake Which Took People In," especially the first line, that is,It is written in 'The Tale of Genji," "There is no logic in love". (p. 344, l. 11) has revealed his true wisdom and understanding of human affairs, culture, logic, etc. on which we need to ponder and agree, more or less.It’s a pity this Anthology lacks the following:a.tList of translatorsb.tClear, full understandable words: Some defective ones, e.g. ...the doll bv her side ... (p. 390, l. 7), ... written with this in _ind ... (p. 390, l. 17), Famous active volcan_ (p. 412, footnote), etc.c.tIncomplete Contents page [i.e. 440 The Biography of Snowflake: missing]There are few words that need verifying, for instance, ... all have different social stations, ... (p. 388, l. 2) I thought the word "stations" should be "statuses" according to the context. However, today (November 6, 2012) I came across this word 'stations' again while reading "The Makioka Sisters" (Vintage, 1995) by Junichiro Tanizaki, that is, "... It had been Sachiko's observation that marriages did not last when the husband and wife came from different stations in life. ..." (p. 274). Therefore, I verified its meaning from Oxford Advanced Leaner's Dictionary (Oxford, 2010) and in its 5th definition, 'station' means social position (p. 1511). Please forgive my misunderstanding.In conclusion, I would reread some prose and play selections and a few poems when I have free time.
Throughout this book, my greatest challenge was trying to be understanding of the time and place in which this book was released. It serves its purpose as an anthology, albeit a tad light for my tastes, and as a brief introduction to Japanese literature throughout history. But I had a hard time with the fact that there were very few Japanese translators, mostly a bunch of old white academics, whom I daresay were without the cultural context of what many of these pieces were apart. Which leads me to my final criticism, I was disappointed with the brief introductions for the pieces, as an historical context would have provided a better reading experience.
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Numerous enjoyable pieces, in this, my first exposure to ancient Japanese literature.("Floating Worlds", the letters of Edward Gorey, triggered my interest.)Some memorable excerpts:106..Murasaki, 11th C, Tales of Genji...seek not in the wide world to find a home; but where you chance to rest, call that your house.232..Kenko, 14th C, Essays in Idleness,...when a man is over 40, it is pitiful to see, how, unashamed of his looks, he loves to thrust himself into the society of others....233..There is a charm about a neat and proper dwelling house, although this world,, 'tis true, is but a temporary abode...The man is to be envied who lives in a house, not of the modern, garish kind, but set among venerable trees, with a garden where plants grow wild and yet seem to have been disposed with care, verandas and fence tastefully arranged, and all its furnishings simple but antique.240..a well-bred man does not show strong likings. His enjoyment appears careless.
—Mike
Mixing linguistic nuances and historical details with numerous stories, Donald Keene provides a strong editorial background to the translations of Japanese literature. When read carefully, the book also gives a translation of Donald Keene, highlighting his taste in poetry topics, love of Noh theater, and occasional annoyance with mono-linguistic speakers (he's got some footnotes where he simply says 'this is a pun, and its very clever on multiple levels, but would be much to tedious to explain here. Mostly it means ___'). This is a good start to pick which early Japanese literature you might be interested in, but because much of what is in the book is only excerpts, they can never be a substitute the whole text.
—Meghan Fidler
