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A playwright, novelist, and founder of one of the major publishing companies in Japan

He is famous for his contributions to Japanese literature and his influence in the customs and traditions through his writings

Studied English literature inKyoto Imperial University.

Master at creating a one-act play.

First President of Dai Nippon Film

Founder of Japanese Writer’sAssociation

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Lady Murasaki

She is best known for her novel, The Tale of Genji, which is widely considered to be one of the greatest works of Japanese literature

She was one of the first Japanese writers to use the kana writing system

She is also credited with pioneering the novel form in Japan

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Wrote over 1000 haikus in his lifetime

He is considered as the “Greatest Master of Haiku”

He entered the service of a local feudal lord. After his lord’s death in 1666, Basho abandoned being a samurai to devote himself to poetry. Gradually, he acquired a reputation as a poet and critic.

Unlike traditional haikus, He is known for his “new style” of haiku which means that he is not constrained to a 5-7-5 syllable count.

He focuses on nature and the use of simple language

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Japanese literature spans a period of almost two millennia. Early works were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written in Classical Chinese. But Japanese literature developed into a separate style in its own right as Japanese writers began writing their own works about Japan, although the influence of Chinese literature and Classical Chinese remained until the end of Edo period. When Japan reopened its ports to Western trading and diplomacy in the 19th century, Western literature had a strong effect on Japanese writer, and this influence is still seen today.

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1. YukuHaruYa | Tori NakiUwo No | Me Ha Namida

Spring is passing. [4]

The birds cry, and the fishes fill [8]

With tears on their eyes. [5]

-“Spring is passing” often means an eternal parting. The birds and the fishes mean Basho and his friends.

Theme: Separation, Friends, Sadness/Sorrow

2. NatsukusaYa | TsuwamonodomoGa | Yume No Ato

Grasses in summer. [5]

The warriors’ dreams [4]

All that left. [3]

- Hiraizumi during that time, was prospered as an independent place from Japan centered on Kyoto. However in that Period, the government destroyed it.

Theme: Destruction

3. Mono Ieba | KuchibiruSamushi | Aki No Kaze

Saying something, [4]

The lip feel cold. [4]

The Autum wind. [4]

- This expresses how people talk bad mouth about someone in front or even behind their back.

Theme: Think Before You Speak

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A haiku poet and an active painter

Honored the great master of haiku, matsuobasho and his style of poetry.

He is also known for completing haiga as a style of art

Experimented with a mixed Chinese- Japanese style of poetry.

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1. Na-no-hanaYa | TsukiWa Higashi Ni | Hi Wa Nishi  Ni

The canola flowers.[6]

The moon in the east. [5]

The sun in the west. [5]

- It is a reflection of the beauty of nature and its changing seasons.

Theme: Appreciating Nature

2. YadoKase To | Katana Nagedasu | Fubuki Kana

“Put me up for a night!” [6]

He threw the katana. [6]

It is a snow storm. [5]

- It represents a might warrior who's ready to conquer the storm that was about to come.

Theme: Bravery/ Courageousness, War, Etc.

3. NatsukawaWo | KosuUreshisaYo | Te Ni Zori

The summer river. [5]

It’s happy to walk across it. [8]

My hands with zori sandal. [7]

- It explains about the hindrances that might have occurred in life but reminds us to face all those with a smile.

Theme: Optimism, Being Unstoppable

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The haikus of Basho, Buson, and others taught us many lessons. It also helps us to broaden our views and to gain different life lessons and principles that we can use as we strive in this world.

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Exposition
Genji, the hero of the Tale, is the son of the emperor and his favourite concubine, Kiritsubo. A Korean sage predicts a brilliant future for Genji but his mother suffers the jealousy of rivals at court, becomes ill and dies. The distraught emperor becomes obsessed with the tragic story of Yang Kwei-fei, but eventually finds another concubine, Fujitsubo, who reminds him of his former love.

Rising Action
Since Genji lacks backing at court, the emperor makes him a commoner, assigning him membership of the non-royal Genji clan. The eldest son of the emperor and Lady Kokiden is made crown prince.

Climax
The old emperor dies and is succeeded by Lady Kokiden's son. Genji's amorous intrigues cause a scandal at court and he is forced to leave the capital and live in Suma for several years. During this second part of the Tale, Genji meets the ex-Governor of Harima and his daughter The Akashi Lady.

Falling Action
Genji returns to the capital and the emperor abdicates in favour of Fujitsubo's (and secretly Genji's) son. Genji's position at court is restored and the Akashi Lady has a baby girl. Genji then goes on a pilgrimage to the Sumiyoshi Shrine to give thanks to the deity for protecting him during the storm at Suma. After his return to the capital he settles down with Murasaki and several other ladies at his Rokujo Mansion. During this long section of the Tale, Genji's influence at court increases steadily and he is preoccupied with the advancement of his children and grandchildren at court. Genji is persuaded to marry the Third Princess, who gives birth to a son and soon after becomes a Buddhist nun.

Denouement
In the last 10 chapters, the action shifts to the wild mountain area of Uji and the adventures of Genji's "son" and grandson, Kaoru and Niou, who are friends and rivals in love. The complex plot centres on the daughters of Genji's religious half-brother, the Eighth Prince, and the impetuous Ukifune.

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1.  Hikaru Genji

"Shining Genji"

He is the son of a Japanese emperor and a low-ranking concubine

Genji is portrayed as being physically attractive, intelligent, poetic, and sensitive.

2. Emperor

Father of Genji

A royalty

3. Lady Kiritsubo

Mother of Genji

The most favorite concubine out of all the wives of the Emperor

4. Princess Aoi

She is the first wife of Gen

They bore a son but unfortunately, she died after giving birth to the child.

5. Lady Fujitsubo

The Emperor married her because she resembles his late wife, Kiritsubo. She is Genji's stepmother.

Genji also fell in love with her because she reminds him of his mother.

6. Lady Rokujo

Mistress of Genji who he neglects.

Her jealousy is so great that her spirit actually leaves her body and kills Aoi, Genji's first wife.

7. Murasaki

The niece of Fujitsubo, Genji's stepmother. She is Genji's greatest love.

Genji raised her to be his ideal woman and also fell in love with her because she resembles Fujitsubo.

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The search for an ideal, enduring love

Role of social status and the portrayal of Heian-era court life

"Mono no aware" which means the bittersweet awareness of the impermanence of all things.

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The Tale of Genji has reminded me that ideals and love are hard to find, as they take a lot of time and effort. Everyone of us deserves to be loved, but let us be reminded that we should love others as they should. In the story, the death of Genji’s mother has caused a void in him, and the void in his heart has caused him to have immoral relationships. This serves as a lesson for us to not use other people to fill in the void that we have. Let us not see others as objects that can fill the void within us; we are all deserving of genuine love.

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Exposition
Yoshitaro is sitting on the roof again and so Gisuke asksKichiji, their servant to bring Yoshi down because hemight get heatstroke.

Rising Action
Gisuke and Kichiji think that Yoshi is under the influence ofevil spirits. Kichijimenationed that people on the island say he’s under the influence of a fox. Gisuke thinks it is a monkey spirit working on him because when Yoshi was born, he bought a rifle and shot every monkey on the island. Gisuke even cut down all the trees so Yoshi couldn’t climb them.

Climax
Tosaku mentions a priestess to Gisuke to pray for Yoshi. The priestess came and prayed for Yoshi. She said he is under the influence of a fox spirit and she asked them to hang him up on a branch of tree and purify him with smoke green pine needles.

Falling Action
Gisuke obeys the priestess but before even getting started, he is interrupted by his younger son, Seujiro. And reveals that the priestess is a fraud and his older brother will not be cured by such an act.

Denouement
In the end, Suejiro made his family realize his unconditional and brotherly love for his elder brother, Yoshitaro.

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1. Yoshitaro

Eldest son

Madman

2. Seujiro - Younger brother of Yoshitaro

3. Gisuke - The father

4. Oyoshi - The mother

5. Kichiji - The young servant

6. The priestess

The one who said to have the ability to remove the madness of Yoshitaro

7. Tosaku - Family’s neighbor

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Perception in life

Sanity

Family

Brotherly love

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Our family is our greatest support system; acceptance should begin within the family. This story reminded us that we are all different. They were people who were born special, and all they need is a family that understands their uniqueness, a family that fully accepts who they are, and a family that is willing to defend them from those irrationals.