A golden age of Literage and Drama
By: Raelynn Sanguinetti
Essential Question 2: What is unique about Japaese literature and Drama
Japanese Literature is unique because they wrote the first novel about only one person. They also write poems called haiku that have a total of only 17 syllables! Haiku has three lines, the first containing 5 syllables; the second containing 7 and the third containing 5. Japanese Drama is unique because they created two different styles of drama that are still popular today.
Japanese Writing System
The Japanese writing style was adopted from the Chinese. Our alphabet today is equivalent to the Japanese version which they call characters. The characters stood for objects, actions, ideas, and later certain sounds. Japanese writing is similar to the Chinese, but the way they speak is influenced by Korea.
Japanese Drama
The Japanese created two types of drama known as Noh and Kabuki. Noh, the first type of drama, were often retellings of legends and folktales. Kabuki, the second type of drama, is a combination of dramatic singing and dancing along with elaborate costumes and heavy makeup. These types of drama were almost always performed by men.
The Tale of genji
The tale of Genji was written by one of Japan's finest author; Lady Murasaki Shikohbu. the tale of Genji was relevant because it was the first real novel written about only one person. Most of Japanese literature at that time was short stories and myths.
Japanese Poetry
Japanese poems were typically written about sadness, rejected love, or the beauty of nature. One of the most popular forms of poetry invented by the Japanese is the Haiku. The haiku only has three lines in the whole poem: first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables, and the third line is five syllables. Haiku is still being written today. Another type of poetry written by the Japanese is called Tanka, which contains 31 syllables which is also known as the five-line, 5/7/5/7/7~ which is the order of the syllables count.
Terms and names
Noh~a Japanese drama that usually retells folktales and legends presented by actors in wooden masks.
Kabuki~a form of Japanese drama usually preformed by men in heavy makeup and elaborate costumes.
Lady Murasaki Shikibu~a Japanese writer who created the first novel.
Haiku~a Japanese form of poetry that consists of three lines of 5,7,5.
Kabuki~a form of Japanese drama usually preformed by men in heavy makeup and elaborate costumes.
Lady Murasaki Shikibu~a Japanese writer who created the first novel.
Haiku~a Japanese form of poetry that consists of three lines of 5,7,5.
Review question: What new forms of literature and drama did the Japanese develope?
The Japanese developed two different styles of drama called Noh and Kabuki. They also made the first novel and haiku.