Highlights of Japanese Poetry and Poetics

We will read and discuss poems (and other relevant texts) in Japanese and English. We will try to sample as wide a variety of writers and poetic genres as possible, starting with classical poetry and ending with poems of the 20th and 21st centuries. We will sometimes compare Japanese and other literatures, to appreciate both their similarities and differences. We will aim to discover the beauty of language in poetry, see how Japanese poetry has developed between ancient times and the present, and gain some insight into how poetry influences cultural and personal identities. We will also look at cross-currents of poetry; how Japanese poetry has influenced and in turn been influenced by poetry from outside Japan.

We will identify the main forms of Japanese poetry (such as 短歌 tanka and 俳句 haiku), some characteristics of Japanese poetry (such as 季語 kigo and 枕詞 makurakotoba), and some of the themes important to Japanese poets. We will try to read a representative selection of major Japanese poets, in the context of world literature, so that class members can enhance their appreciation of poets from their own and other countries.

In Week 1 we will read and discuss a modern poem. After Week 2, you are asked to read the text(s) before coming to class, so we can use class time for discussion rather than reading. We will discuss poetic techniques and styles, and also the literary and cultural significance of our chosen texts.
Please be prepared to use both Japanese and English in this class. You are welcome to read assignments in either or both languages, but in discussions be ready to refer to both language versions, bearing in mind that with poetry it makes most sense to refer to the original whenever possible.
Early in the course I will introduce texts and lead discussions; as the course progresses students are expected to take a more active role in giving presentations and sharing the results of their research with classmates.

This is my suggested syllabus. It can be altered so as to include other poets or topics that students are particularly interested in. Please let me know if you would like to suggest other authors or topics.
受講者の数・興味・目的・理解力に応じて，シラバスを変更することもあります。
Please note that this schedule may vary, depending on class numbers, students' interests, goals and abilities.
Two classes will be Zoom classes, and students will be given a week's advance notice of these classes.

During class speaking activities I will make comments. When you give in written assignments I will write comments and corrections.

予習 Preparation is essential every week: please read the poems to be discussed in the next class. Also look at documents in Web Class before the class, so that you can prepare anything that is necessary for our class. (If there is anything you don't understand, make a note of it and bring it to class to ask me.) Sometimes I will ask you to research and introduce some poems and poets to classmates.
復習 After class every week: revise what we studied in class, and do any assigned homework.
Please spend at least 90 minutes every week on preparation, revision and homework.

Notes about your marks 点:
(1) You will get good marks for class participation 授業への参加 if you are an active and enthusiastic member of our class, for example speaking frequently in class, and volunteering as spokesperson for your group. You will lose marks if you don't speak in class, or if you give in assignments late.
(2) Your 40% end of term marks will be divided between a presentation (20%) and a report (the written form of your presentation, 20%).

＜No textbook required＞

Original texts in Japanese are available in Seijo Library. The above English-language texts are available in the library.

Please be prepared to use both Japanese and English in this class. You are welcome to use the language which you prefer, but when you are using your first language please be considerate towards classmates for whom your language is a second language! Let's make sure everyone feels comfortable in our bilingual classroom.