Japanese Poetry
Things to Consider:
-
Forms: tanka, haiku
-
Imagery
-
Themes
-
Religion: Taoism, Buddhism, Shinto
-
Japanese Literature Resources
** Homework Questions **
643:
-
What are tanka?
-
What is the Man'yo-shu?
-
What is the most frequent subject of the Man'yo-shu?
-
From the 6th C. to the 8th., how was Japanese culture matriarchal?
645:
Lady of Sakanoye:
-
Summarize the speaker's message to her lover.
-
How does this poem compare with "I Love a Girl But She Lives Over There"
(54) or "Let us Live and Love, My Lesbia" (481)?
-
Is carpe diem expressed in this poem? Explain.
Haiku:
647:
-
What are haiku? Explain the format.
-
What are the universal themes of traditonal haiku?
649:
-
Which of the haiku on this page do you like best? Explain in terms
of associative meanings.
Other Discussion Questions:
645:
Otomo No Tabito:
-
Which does the speaker prefer, sitting silent and looking wise or drinking
sake and making noise? Explain
The Priest Hakutsu:
-
Explain the meaning of this poem.
Ki No Akimine:
-
Explain the meaning of the poem.
646:
The Lady Eguchi:
-
Explain the meaning of this poem.
647:
-
How does haiku reflect the tenets of Buddhism? (see also noh drama)