Overview

With a history stretching back nearly 1,500 years, written works originating from Japan encompass a vast range of forms and genres. From poetry and the lyric voice, to the art of the narrative, diary, and literary treatise, Japan boasts a powerful literary culture. This Very Short Introduction traverses the colorful canon of Japanese literature, a tradition that produced not only the world''s first novel, The Tale of Genji, but also the poetry of the Man''yôshû, erotic writing of Ihara Saikaku, and magical realism of Haruki Murakami. With a history stretching back nearly 1,500 years, Japanese literature is infused from its beginnings with written traditions from around the globe, while ever evolving in its own particular expressive modes and vision. This Very Short Introduction traverses this vast and varied canon, ranging from the world''s first novel, The Tale of Genji, to pre-modern and modern narrative fiction (including such writers as Natsume Sôseki, Yukio Mishima and Murakami Haruki); from the foundational works of women''s literature to the rich genres of poetry, performance art, and erotica; and from the literary treatise to the precursors of contemporary Japan''s most successful cultural export: manga.