LIT PPTs

1. The Analects of Confucius (Robert Eno, Teaching Translation)

  • Ren (仁): Comprehensive ethical virtue; benevolence, humaneness, goodness. Hard to define, disciples often ask Confucius for clarity.

  • Junzi (君子): Ideally ethical and capable person; originally meant a power holder.

  • Dao (道): Teaching or skill formula; key to action, art, self-perfection, or world transformation.

  • Li (禮): Ritual institutions of Zhou; covers behavior from political protocol, ceremony, and religious rites to etiquette and personal conduct.

  • Tian (天): Means “sky,” later seen as supreme deity or “Heaven”; sometimes anthropomorphic, sometimes a natural force.

  • Ren (仁) → Kindness

  • Junzi (君子) → Gentleman (ideal good person)

  • Dao (道) → Way

  • Li (禮) → Respect

  • Tian (天) → Heaven

2. Japanese Literature

Periods of Japanese Literature

  • Pre-Ancient (Before 8th century):

    • Oral traditions.

    • Writing system from China (via Korea, ~5th century).

  • Ancient Literature (Until 794):

    • Kojiki (712) – Record of Ancient Matters.

    • Nihon Shoki (720) – Chronicle of Japan.

    • Man’yōshū (759) – Anthology of poems (31-syllable verse form).

  • Classical Literature (Heian Period, 794–1185): Golden Age

    • The Tale of Genji (Murasaki Shikibu, 11th century) – world’s first novel.

    • Kokin Wakashū (905) – first imperial anthology of waka poetry.

    • The Pillow Book (Sei Shônagon).

  • Medieval (12th–17th century, Kamakura-Muromachi): Rise of samurai literature.

  • Early Modern/Edo (17th–19th century): Popular literature flourished.

  • Modern (19th century–present): Western influence during Meiji era and beyond.

  • Pre-Ancient – Oral

  • Ancient – History & Poetry (Kojiki, Nihon Shoki, Man’yōshū)

  • Classical – Golden Age (Genji, Kokin Wakashū, Pillow Book)

  • Medieval – Samurai

  • Edo – Popular

  • Modern – Western influence

Haiku (Originally “Hokku”)

  • Named haiku by Masaoka Shiki (19th century).

  • Structure: 3 lines (5-7-5 syllables, 17 in total).

  • More than poetry: a worldview that sees depth in the physical world.

  • Began as a popular activity (9th–12th centuries).

Famous Poets:

  • Matsuo Basho (Edo period): Greatest master of haiku, wrote ~1000 haikus.

  • Issa Kobayashi (1763–1827): Wrote about humble creatures; many personal tragedies influenced his poetry.

Sample Haiku (Issa):
“Mom watched over me / til’ I could manage myself / I still hear her though.”

Easy Keywords to Remember:

  • Structure → 5-7-5

  • Shiki → named it “Haiku”

  • Basho → master, nature

  • Issa → humble creatures, sadness

3. Indian Literature

Sanskrit Literature

  • Vedas (1500–1000 B.C.E.): Ancient hymns/oral traditions of Aryan culture.

    • Rig Veda: Oldest, hymns for deities.

    • Yajur Veda: Rites and mantras for sacrifices.

    • Sama Veda: Hymns (chants).

    • Atharva Veda (Brahma Veda): Texts on black & white magic.

  • Upanishads: Sacred philosophical texts.

The Mahabharata

  • Spiritual and philosophical epic.

  • Explores justice, dharma (duty), karma (deeds).

  • Meaning: “Great story of the Bharatas” → also “Great story of India.”

  • Central story: conflict of Pandavas and Kauravas.

  • Vyasa (Veda Vyasa): Legendary sage, author/compiler, also a character in the epic. Celebrated in India during Guru Purnima.

  • Mahabharata characters parallel Vedic deities (divine → heroic transformation).