Asian Literature

ASIAN LITERATURE
It refers to the study of the literature of the

people in:
1.China
2.India
3.Japan
4.Other small nations surround them
CHINA
•Chinese civilization is the oldest

civilizations in the world that dates back to
the Shang Dynasty in 1765 B.C. It is
known as “The Red Dragon”.
• The Chou Dynasty that followed the Shang
Dynasty of great intellectual activity and was
in this period when the philosophies of the
Confucianism, Taoism and legalism originated.
• It is the longest dynasty in Chinese history
which lasted from 1122 B.C. To 256 B.C.
• The Han Dynasty which succeeded after the
collapse of the Chou strengthened the unity
within the bureaucracy but Confucianism
was substituted for Legalism.
CONFUCIUS
• perhaps the greatest philosopher of the world has known.
One of the truly great men that China has produced. The
word Confucius is the westernized form of his name,
which is Kung Fu-tze, Kung being his proper name, Fu
signifying revered, and tze signifying teacher.
LI PO (701 – 761), OR LI TAI PO
• was one of the leading Chinese poets of the eighth
century. His writings deal with the good things of life
and with the pathos of human destiny. With a striking
vividness they treat of love, friendship, wine, nature,
and simple village living.
PO – CHU – I (722 – 846)
•
was a well-known Chinese poet who
represented the classical tradition in Chinese
literature, politics and morality.
INDIAN LITERATURE
• India is the vast land in Southern Asia, extending
from the Himalayan Mountains south to the tip of
a great peninsula that reaches from out into the
Indian Ocean. It is known as “Land of prayer”.
•The first characteristic we notice about
Indian literature is that it is based on
piety, a deeply religious spirit.
• Sanskrit- literature of India. The word “sanskrit”
means cultivated or perfected.
• Vedas – the bible of the Indians.

• Ramayana and Mahabharata are the most important epics of
India. Ramayana – is about the reincarnation of the creator
god Vishnu in the person of Rama, who is the hero of the
epic. Mahabharata – deals with the other reincarnation of
Vishnu in the person of Krishna. It is considered as the
greatest epic of India.
•The Indians believe in reincarnation.
The reincarnation of Vishnu are called
Avatars, descending from the god.
ROOTS OF INDIAN LITERATURE
• 1. Rig-Veda – made up of hymns in praise of
the gods. The hymns are strong, energetic
religions expressions comparable to the Old
Testament Psalms.
• 2. Upanishads- consists of a group of sketches,
illustrations, explanations and critical
comments on the religious thoughts suggested
by the poetic hymns of Rig-Veda.
INDIAN DRAMA
• The first great name in Indian drama is
Bhasa. (13 plays are attributed to him.)
• Kalidasa – the greatest writer of plays. He is
the author of Shakuntala. - he is called the
brightest of the “nine gems of genius”.
• Shakuntala – it is a story of a king who goes
hunting in the woods and meets a beautiful
maiden named Shakuntala with whom he falls
in love.
• Panchatantra (Five headings) – a book that
said to contain the first fables ever written.
Fables are stories of animals who behave like
human beings.
• Rabindranath Tagore – was a great Indian poet
and dramatist. He was awarded the Nobel
Prize for literature in 1913 and was knighted
by the British government in 1915.
JAPAN
• Also known as “The Land of the Rising Sun”.
The earliest writings from ancient Japan are: 1.
The Records of Ancient Matters in Kojiko (A.D.
712) 2. The Chronicles of Japan or Nihongi
(A.D. 720)
JAPANESE LITERATURE
• It is one of the major Oriental Literatures.
Katakana – basic alphabet in Japan which
consists 47 characters.
EARLIEST JAPANESE LITERARY
WORKS:
• 1. Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters)
• 2. Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan)
JAPANESE DRAMA
• Drama – favorite form of amusement.
• Three Types of Japanese Drama:
• 1. Noh play
• 2. Joruri or puppet play
• 3. Kabuki play
NOH PLAY
• It is the national theater of Japan.
THE PUPPET PLAY (DOLL THEATER)
• The puppets are beautifully made and lifelike
in size. The strings are expertly manipulated
and the dialogue reastically interpreted.
KABUKI PLAY
• The play of the masses. It is less intellectual,
more realistic, even sensational.
JAPANESE POETRY
• Manyo Shu (Collection of myriad leaves) –
oldest collection of poetry. It was compiled in
800 A.D. The collection titled One Hundred
Persons was compiled much later.
HAIKU
• Shortest form of Japanese poetry but most
popular. It has seventeen- syllable poem in three
lines of five, seven, and five syllables.
• Example: Poetry and love
will fill your heart forever,
or rip it to shreds!
TANKA
• A five-line poem. The first and third line

lines have five syllables each and the
others seven, making a total of thirty-
one syllables per poem.
• Example:
O pine tree standing
At the side of the stone house,
When I look at you,
It is like seeing face to face
The men of old time.
- Hakutsu, from the Manyo Shu

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Asian Literature

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ASIAN LITERATURE

It refers to the study of the literature of the

•Chinese civilization is the oldest

• Vedas – the bible of the Indians.

• A five-line poem. The first and third line

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