JAPANESE

LITERATURE
 1 FACTS ABOUT JAPAN

2 JAPANESE STYLE

CONTENTS 3 JAPANESE LITERATURE

4 JAPANESE CEREMONIES
 FACTS ABOUT JAPAN
•Japan is an island nation with a
long and rich history. It is a
mountainous country with a highly
developed economy and a unique
culture. Japan is a popular tourist
destination known for its beautiful
scenery, delicious food, and many
cultural attractions.
 •Japan Known as a developed country,
which is famous because of its inventions,
companies, and arts. We will going to
share some Japanese cultures, and some of
thier heritage that have a great effect on
their culture.
FACTS ABOUT JAPAN
•Nippon- Land of the Rising Sun
•The name was eventually adopted by the
Japanese people as the name for their
country.The name "land of the rising sun" is
a poetic and evocative way of describing
Japan.It suggests that Japan is a place of new
beginnings and hope.It also reflects the
importance of the sun in Japanese culture.
The sun is a symbol of life, energy, and
rebirth.
 JAPANESE STYLES
• Japan as a country, has a
past with its styles in its
own tradition, in clothing,
building, foods, community
and collective good, arts
and crafts, and etc.
 JAPANESE
STYLES
• Clothing-Japanese people used their traditional
clothing in the past, now they wear in special
occasion.
 JAPANESE STYLES
•Yukata- "for men"
Kimino- "For women"
Zori- "sandals"
 JAPANESE
LITERATURE
•Japanese literature, a rich and vibrant tapestry of stories, poems, and essays, has
captivated readers worldwide for centuries. Its evolution reflects the nation's
cultural and historical transformations, offering a profound glimpse into the
Japanese soul.
•The roots of Japanese literature can be traced back to the 8th century AD,with the
emergence of Kojiki and Man'yōshū, anthologies of ancient poetry. These works
showcased the influence of Chinese literature while establishing a distinct Japanese
literary style.
 JAPANESE
LITERATURE
•Japanese Literature is one of the major Literatures of the
world comparable to English Literature in age of
variety.Japanese

•Japanese Literature is one of the major bodies of Oriental

Literature. It is less voluminous that Chinese Literature but
comparable to Arabic, Persian and Indian Literature. It covers the
period from the fifth century A.D to the present.
 JAPANESE LITERTURE
•Japanese literature is deeply influenced by the country's unique aesthetic and philosophy,
known as "Wabi-sabi." This concept emphasizes simplicity, naturalness, and imperfection,
and it is reflected in all aspects of Japanese life, from art and design to architecture and
cuisine.
Wabi-sabi in Japanese Literature:
•Wabi: The acceptance of imperfection and impermanence
is a recurring theme in Japanese literature.

•Sabi: The passage of time and the patina of age are often
celebrated in Japanese literature. Stories often explore the
beauty of objects that have been weathered by time, and
characters may find solace in the enduring power of
nature.
•Shibui: The sense of understated elegance and refinement that
is characteristic of Japanese style is also evident in Japanese
literature
•Kanso: The simplicity and purity that are valued in
Japanese style are also reflected in Japanese literature.

•Yuugen: The profound beauty and mystery that is evoked

by Japanese style is often captured in Japanese literature.
 Examples of Wabi-sabi in Japanese
Literature:
•Heian Period (794-1185)
The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu: This 11th-century novel explores
the complexities of human relationships, the beauty of the natural world, and
the impermanence of life. It is a classic example of wabi-sabi in Japanese
literature.
 •Kamakura Period (1185-1333)
Tsurezuregusa by Kenko: This collection of essays and observations
reflects on the beauty of the natural world, the fleeting nature of life,
and the importance of living in the present moment.
•Muromachi Period (1336-1573)
Noh theater: This form of Japanese theater is characterized by its
stylized movements, symbolic gestures, and minimalist stage design.
Noh plays often explore themes of transience, loss, and the enduring
power of nature.
•Edo Period (1603-1868)
The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon: This collection of
personal essays celebrates the everyday beauty of the natural
world and the simple pleasures of life.
•Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Kokoro by Natsume Soseki: This novel explores the themes of

alienation, loneliness, and the search for meaning in a rapidly
changing world.
•Showa Period (1926-1989)
Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata: This novel
explores the themes of transience, loss, and the
search for beauty in a world that is marked by
suffering.
•Heisei Period (1989-2019)

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami: This novel

explores the themes of reality, memory, and the search for
identity in a postmodern world.
LITERAWRITERS BEHIND JAPANESE LITURATURE
•Natsume Soseki

Japanese author
first gained public attention with his novel Wagahai wa neko de aru (1906; I Am a Cat,
1961) a generally light-hearted series of observations that a cat makes about humans
Soseki later published more serious psychological novels
•Tanizaki Jun'ichirō
Japanese author

many of the works of focus on male-female relationships

He is best known for Tade kuu mushi (1929; Some Prefer Nettles, 1955),
about a failing marriage.
Murasaki Shikibu
Japanese author

well-known for her novel The Tale of Genji, which is considered to be one of the
greatest works of Japanese literature. The novel is a sweeping epic that follows the
lives of several aristocratic families during the Heian period of Japanese history.
Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
Japanese author

best known for his short stories, which often deal with dark and disturbing
themes
Some of his most famous stories include Rashomon, In a Grove, and Hell Screen
JAPANESE WRITING
•KANJI- is a complex writing system that has been
used for over 2,000 years to write Japanese, Chinese,
and other languages. It is made up of thousands of
characters that represent nouns, verbs, adjectives,
adverbs, and other grammatical elements. Kanji can be
difficult to learn, but it is also very rewarding. It can
help you to understand more about Japanese culture and
history, and it can make it easier to read and write
Japanese.
KANA- is a phonetic system for writing Japanese that consists
of two scripts: hiragana and katakana.

*Hiragana- Hiragana is used to write grammatical elements,

native Japanese words without kanji, and onomatopoeia.

*Katanaka- katakana is used to write foreign words, names, and

onomatopoeia. Both are syllabaries, meaning that each character
represents a syllable. Kana is relatively easy to learn and is
necessary to read simple Japanese texts.
EXAMPLE:
•Kana:

あい (ai) - "love"
きのう (kinō) - "yesterday"
さくら (sakura) - "cherry blossom"
ねこ (neko) - "cat"
おいし (oishi) - "delicious"
•Kanji:
愛 (ai) - "love"
今日 (kyō) - "today"
花 (hana) - "flower"
猫 (neko) - "cat"
美味しい (oishii) - "delicious

•A sentence with a mix of kana and kanji:

昨日はおいしいさくら餅を食べました。 (kinō wa
oishii sakuramochi o tabemashita.) - "I ate delicious
cherry blossom mochi yesterday."
JAPANESE CEREMONIES
•Japanese ceremonies are deeply rooted in
tradition and hold significant cultural and
spiritual importance. These rituals serve to mark
important life transitions, celebrate seasonal
changes, and express reverence for deities and
ancestors. They are characterized by their
elegance, symbolism, and adherence to
established practices
JAPANESE CEREMONIES
•The Tea Ceremony
•The wedding Ceremony •The birth Ceremony •TheDeath Ceremony
FESTIVALS AND
CELEBRATIONS
•Japanese culture has a rich tradition of festivals and
celebrations that reflect the country's deep-rooted traditions,
spirituality, and love for the natural world. These events bring
people together, creating a sense of community and shared
experiences. Some of the most popular festivals include
Matsuri, O-bon, Setsubun, Hanami, Tanabata, and Hatsumode.
These festivals showcase the nation's vibrant spirit, deep
appreciation for nature's beauty, and a sense of continuity,
connection to the past and the present
Thank you!