Japanese 100B (Winter 2018)

Susan Blakeley Klein
HIB 479, Off#824-8165; cell:949-232-2122
email: sbklein@uci.edu
office hours: Mon 2-3, W 11-12 and by appointment

Class Description:
This is the second course in a two-quarter series designed to introduce the student to classical Japanese grammar through the reading of selected literary genres, including poetry from Hyakunin Isshu and the Kokinshu imperial anthology, a medieval noh play, and Edo period fiction.  Emphasis throughout will be on reading comprehension, with special emphasis on a thorough understanding of grammar and syntax. Some attention will also be given to figurative language, literary conventions, and thematic reading with reference to historical, religious, and political contexts.

Class Requirements:
2 midterms and a final (30% each)
Class attendance & participation, google docs, and translation exercises (10%).

NOTE: This quarter you will be expected to look up any suffix or particle that you don't know in Classical Japanese and should be prepared to give a basic definition in class. We will also do some basic dictionary work

First class: handout

Reading packet 1

Reading packet 2

Reading packet 3

 

Class email (discussion): 29000-W18@classes.uci.edu

Class Email Archive

Google Docs

Schedule:

Midterm 1Midterm

 Waka Poetry

1/8

1) Read "Rhetorical Techniques in Japanese Poetry" in Classical Japanese pp. 364-370.

2) Look at the Rhetorical Devices page in the first class handout, and try to figure out how the examples of makura kotoba and kakekotoba are working.

3) Read the short introduction to Hyakunin isshu. Skip to the next page and read the introduction and questions for Hyakunin isshu #3 by Kakinomoto Hitomaru.

4) Analyze grammar and translate Hyakunin isshu poem #3 (see image of yamadori 1 and 2, and woodblock prints)

Critical Terms in Japanese Poetry

Optional: Steven Carter, "Introduction" to Traditional Japanese Poetry
1/10

Hyakunin isshu #2 (see image of Ama no Kaguyama)
1/12  #7 (image of Nakamaro in China), 8, 10 
1/15

HOLIDAY
1/17

#409, 53

1) For this class, consider what makes a poem a poem. Write out at least three criteria to discuss in class.
1/19

1) Translate #8 AS A POEM. How does your translation indicate that this is poem? Typographically (i.e. the arrangement on the page)? Rhyming? Syllable count? Rhetorical language (metaphors, puns, syntactically, etc.)? Include a short explanation of your translation choices (at least a sentence or two), and be prepared to explain in class.

2) Write out a possible backstory-scenario for the composition of 409 (be as imaginative as possible).

Send both to me by dropbox (TransHI8 and Backstory409) by Thursday 1/18 @ 5:00 pm.

3) #797

 
1/22 #746, 938
1/24 #552, 113, 160, 225
1/26 

NO CLASS

 
1/29

#238, 257, Tameaki poem

Translate #797 (iro miede) AS A POEM and send it by dropbox (Trans797) by Sunday 1/28 @ 5:00 pm. Please include a couple of lines explaining your translation choices (syllable count, spacing, dealing with kakekotoba, etc.)
1/31

Ise monogatari 4 & 9

2/2 Midterm prep

2/5 MIDTERM 1

 

2/7 Kakitsubata: Introduction to Noh (images)

1) Read the introductory material, including "key words." Look through ALL of the materials to make sure that you know what is there, including assigned lines, thematic questions, footnotes, vocabulary, dictionary photocopies, and the two versions of the play, one with a partial translation. The last few pages are from an utaibon (libretto) used in the Kita school of Noh.

3) Read through this webpage on Rhetorical Devices in Noh and try to make sense of it. What rhetorical devices used in poetry are also used in Noh? What new forms develop for Noh?

4) If you've never seen or learned about Noh theater, read Royall Tyler's "General Introduction" to Japanese Nō Dramas (Penguin Books, 1992), pp. 1-21.
2/9 Read English translation lines 1-3 and read and translate p. 259 [lines 4-6] in the Japanese.

For vocabulary items that indicate "look at photocopy of dictionary" read the relevant entries in the PHOTOCOPIES of the Iwanami kogo jiten for that vocabulary item. You will be expected to give all the possible definitions in class.

Make sure you look at the thematic questions and footnotes as well.
2/12

Read and translate p. 259 [10], 260 [1-2]. 

Dictionary assignment: for blank vocabulary items LOOK UP in a kogo jiten (available in the library or in the department). For a list of dictionary call numbers, click here.
2/14

p. 260 [6-10]

Videos: Tradition of Performing Arts in Japan (Excerpt on Noh), This is Noh (excerpt on Izutsu)

ASSIGNED LINES
2/16 p. 261 [4-13]
2/19 HOLIDAY
2/21 p. 262 [10-14]; 263 [8-10]
2/23 pp. 263 [11-13]; 265 [2-5]
2/26 p. 265 [5-14]
2/28 p. 266 [1-6], Review
3/2 No class
3/5

Midterm 2

3/7 Saikaku: Edo Period Prose

ASSIGNED LINES

Lines 1-8

 

 
3/9

Lines 9-17

 

 
3/12 Lines 18-27
3/14 28-end (finish and review)
3/16 Final Exam? Review and graduation party?
   

FINAL EXAM
( if scheduled)

 Wednesday 3/21 1:30-3:30