Growth of Japanese Culture
A Golden Age of Literature and Drama
BY MAX NUNAN
Japanese Writing Systems
-Note: Though the Japanese writing system was influenced by the Chinese, their language is more related to Korean
Japanese Drama
Noh
Location: Japan
Gender: Mostly male
Bio: Noh was an early form of Japanese Drama. It was based around retellings of legends, and used advanced costumes(including elaborate masks), gestures, and music to do so.
Kabuki
Location: Japan
Gender: Male
Bio: Kabuki was a younger form of Japanese drama. More informal than noh, it used heavy makeup and costumes to present a show. It was based around the lives of common people.
Literature in Japan
The Tale of Genji
The Tale of Genji is one of her most famous works. It tells about the life of a prince in the imperial court and is said to be the world's first signifigant novel.
Japanese Poetry
Matsuo Basho
Into the pond a frog jumps,
Splash! Silence again.
- A haiku by Matsuo Basho