31195 - Japanese Literature 2

Learning outcomes

Reading Modern and Contemporary Japan through Narrative and Cultural Expressions

At the end of the course students should deepen their competence in Japanese literary history, through analysis of general issues (periodization, literary movements and schools). They should also be acquainted with the latest methods and analytical tools they need to understand the works of the main authors, contextualising them within their cultural and historical period.

Course contents

Reading Modern and Contemporary Japan through Narrative and Cultural Expressions

The course focuses on modern and contemporary Japanese literature with emphasis on the interplay between literature, culture and society. Reading Japanese narratives from modern and contemporary Japan, we will analyze how do literature and society influence each other: historical events and occurrences, such as the Meiji restoration, the defeat of the World War II, student movements, the gas-attack in the Tokyo subway, the earthquakes, and changes in sex-role expectations, economy and demography have in different ways stimulated creative writing. In recent years, the emergence and increasing popularity of manga, animation films, videogames and “light novels” have also influenced the way stories are told. In other words, the study of modern and contemporary Japanese literature can offer an important insight into various aspects of Japanese history, culture and society.

Readings/Bibliography

Students are expected to show a basic knowledge of the history of Japanese literature from 1868 to present days.

Reference texts are:

L. Bienati, P. Scrolavezza, La narrativa giapponese moderna e contemporanea, Collana "Elementi", Marsilio, Venezia 2009.

M.R. Novielli, P. Scrolavezza, Lo schermo scritto. Letteratura e cinema in Giappone, Cafoscarina Editrice, Venezia 2012 (online).

L. Bienati, B. Ruperti, Letterario, troppo letterario. Antologia della critica giapponese moderna, Marsilio, Venezia, 2016 (online).

G. M. Follaco, Cultura letteraria giapponese. Le mille forme della scrittura dal VII al XXI, Milano, Hoepli, 2023.

Other suggestions:

M. Pellitteri, I manga. Introduzione al fumetto giapponese, Roma, carocci Editore, 2022.

M. Santoro, R. Sassatelli, Studiare la cultura. Nuove prospettive sociologiche, Bologna, Mulino, 2009.

Primary sources:

Tayama Katai, Il futon, Marsilio, Venezia 2015.
Mori Ōgai, L’oca selvatica, Venezia, Marsilio, 1994.
Izumi Kyōka, Il monaco del monte Kōya, Venezia, Marsilio, 2001.
Natsume Sōseki, Il cuore delle cose, Vicenza, Neri Pozza, 2006.
Nagai Kafū, Al giardino delle peonie e altri racconti, Venezia, Marsilio, 2000.
Matsumoto Seichō, Tokyo Express, Milano, Adelphi, 2018.
Tanizaki Jun'ichiro, Libro d'ombra, Bompiani, 2000.
Akutagawa Ryūnosuke, Rashomon e altri racconti, Torino, Einaudi, 2018.
Kawabata Yasunari, Il paese delle nevi, Torino, Einaudi, 2014.
Mishima Yukio, Confessioni di una maschera, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2013.
Ōta Yōko, Città di cadaveri, INARI Books, Torino, 2021.
Miyamoto Yuriko, Fiori fra le macerie (disponibile tra i materiali didattici all’inizio del corso).
Abe Kōbō, La donna di sabbia, Longanesi, Milano, 1972.
Dazai Osamu, Il sole si spegne, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2009.
Ōe Kenzaburō, Un’esperienza personale, Milano, Garzanti, 2016.
Murakami Ryū, Blu quasi trasparente, Atmosphere libri, Roma, 2020
Kirino Natsuo, Le quattro casalinghe di Tōkyō, Vicenza, Neri Pozza, 2003.
Tawada Yōko, Gli ultimi bambini di Tōkyō, Roma, Atmosphere libri, 2021.

Further critical readings will be made available online to deepen the investigation of particular issues.

Teaching methods

The course will consist mainly in lectures held by the teacher. A strong and active participation in class discussions by the students is warmly encouraged.

Assessment methods

There are two different options:

1) A written test followed by an oral exam.

The written test will take place only once, in the middle of the course, and and will focus on the first part of the program (the topics will be specified in the Syllabus, to be published on Virtuale before the beginning of the course). The written test will consist of 10 questions (5 open questions and 5 multiple choice questions). Up to 3 marks will be awarded for each question.The exam will be oral.

The written test will be followed by an oral exam, which will focus on the second part of the programme. The oral exam will test the student's ability to elaborate on the topics exposed in class, to show the knowledge acquired thorugh the study of the proposed bibliography, and their capability for critical thinking. A critical knowledge of the topics will be evaluated as excellent, while an excessive dependence on texts and manuals without any interpretative support will be evaluated with a positive but low score. The proven and repeated difficulty in creating logical and descriptive connections between cultural phenomena and literary contents, as well as a partial reading of the compulsory bibliography will result in an insufficient evaluation.

2) Oral exam only.

Those who decide not to take - or who will not pass - the written test, will have to take an oral exam which will cover the whole program.

The oral exam will test the student's ability to elaborate on the topics exposed in class, to show the knowledge acquired thorugh the study of the proposed bibliography, and their capability for critical thinking. A critical knowledge of the topics will be evaluated as excellent, while an excessive dependence on texts and manuals without any interpretative support will be evaluated with a positive but low score. The proven and repeated difficulty in creating logical and descriptive connections between cultural phenomena and literary contents, as well as a partial reading of the compulsory bibliography will result in an insufficient evaluation.

Teaching tools

Slides, video, multi-media supports. A series of films related to the texts in this syllabus will be shown and discussed during classes. The list will be published by the beginning of the lessons.
In addition to class lectures, a series of seminars held by national as well as international scholars will be organized, whose active involvement is part of the final exam.

The Powerpoint files used during the course will be available for students on the course website (see 'Teaching material).

Office hours

See the website of Veronica De Pieri