1. JapaneseJapanese
LiteratureLiterature

2. Brief History of JapanBrief History of Japan
 Heavy cultural influence from China and KoreaHeavy cultural influence from China and Korea
(Buddhism, ways of farming, art, language / letters)(Buddhism, ways of farming, art, language / letters)
 First emerged as separate state in eighth centuryFirst emerged as separate state in eighth century
C.E.; feudal dynasties began. Chose to be isolated.C.E.; feudal dynasties began. Chose to be isolated.
 1212thth
to 19to 19thth
centuries: Samurais ruled (centuries: Samurais ruled (shogunshogun),),
emperor was only figureheademperor was only figurehead
 1853: American Commodore Matthew Perry (with1853: American Commodore Matthew Perry (with
four warships) “requested” Japan to begin tradingfour warships) “requested” Japan to begin trading
 1868: After civil war, shogun resigns and Emperor1868: After civil war, shogun resigns and Emperor
restored to power; once again, he is truly in charge ofrestored to power; once again, he is truly in charge of
Japan. Emperor begins modernization of country,Japan. Emperor begins modernization of country,
abolishes samurai class and feudal system.abolishes samurai class and feudal system.

3.  the history of the islands of Japan and the Japanesethe history of the islands of Japan and the Japanese
people, spanning the ancient history of thepeople, spanning the ancient history of the
region to the modern history of Japan as a nationregion to the modern history of Japan as a nation
state. Following the last ice age, around 12,000 BC,state. Following the last ice age, around 12,000 BC,
the rich ecosystem of the Japanesethe rich ecosystem of the Japanese
Archipelago fostered human development. TheArchipelago fostered human development. The
earliest-known pottery found in Japan belongs toearliest-known pottery found in Japan belongs to
the Jomon Period.the Jomon Period.
 The earliest-known pottery found in Japan belongsThe earliest-known pottery found in Japan belongs
to the Jomon Period. The first known writtento the Jomon Period. The first known written
reference to Japan is in the brief information givenreference to Japan is in the brief information given
in Twenty-Four histories in the 1st century AD.in Twenty-Four histories in the 1st century AD.
The main cultural and religious influences cameThe main cultural and religious influences came
from China.from China.

4. Traditional CostumesTraditional Costumes
 The kimono is theThe kimono is the
traditional dress of Japan,traditional dress of Japan,
and it is worn nowadaysand it is worn nowadays
on formal occasions. It ison formal occasions. It is
sometimes accused ofsometimes accused of
being an impractical formbeing an impractical form
of dress, but it has theof dress, but it has the
advantage of giving theadvantage of giving the
wearer a graceful andwearer a graceful and
elegant deportment.elegant deportment.

5. Theatre’s CostumesTheatre’s Costumes
 Japan has many different types of costumes, eachJapan has many different types of costumes, each
unique. There are many different features that aunique. There are many different features that a
Japanese costume must have to be used for theJapanese costume must have to be used for the
theatre. Each costume has specific rules to follow.theatre. Each costume has specific rules to follow.
Every costume is specially made for a certainEvery costume is specially made for a certain
actor, but can be used for different parts.actor, but can be used for different parts.
Costumes are intricate, formal and extremelyCostumes are intricate, formal and extremely
imaginativeimaginative..
 Costumes are a big part of the theatre in Japan,Costumes are a big part of the theatre in Japan,
and in theatre all around the world. Costumesand in theatre all around the world. Costumes
represent the person who wears them and bringrepresent the person who wears them and bring
the characters to life. Costumes have a hugethe characters to life. Costumes have a huge
impact on the audience and everyone enjoys themimpact on the audience and everyone enjoys them

6. KABUKIKABUKI
 Kabuki costumes useKabuki costumes use
big wigs, and manybig wigs, and many
different types of maskdifferent types of mask
styles to match thestyles to match the
character they portray.character they portray.
The color red isThe color red is
excellent and meansexcellent and means
passion and superpassion and super
human power. Blue ishuman power. Blue is
considered to be a badconsidered to be a bad
color and gives acolor and gives a
negative feeling thatnegative feeling that
articulates jealousy andarticulates jealousy and
fearfulness.fearfulness.

7. BUNRAKUBUNRAKU
 In Bunraku theatre,In Bunraku theatre,
actors that handleactors that handle
puppets in thepuppets in the
background wear blackbackground wear black
so they can blend inso they can blend in
with stage assistantswith stage assistants
and try to become theand try to become the
puppets that theypuppets that they
animate. Japananimate. Japan
puppetry is verypuppetry is very
difficult and may be thedifficult and may be the
most difficult puppetmost difficult puppet
theatre in all of thetheatre in all of the
world.world.

8. Japanese Literature - TheatreJapanese Literature - Theatre
Theatre:Theatre:
 NohNoh
 KabukiKabuki
Poetry:Poetry:
 HaikuHaiku

9. NohNoh
 Oldest (formalizedOldest (formalized
by 1400’s)by 1400’s)
 Stories are spiritualStories are spiritual
in nature (ghosts,in nature (ghosts,
demons,demons,
possessions)possessions)
 Masks are wornMasks are worn
 Audience isAudience is
aristocratic / upperaristocratic / upper
classclass
 elegant, refinedelegant, refined

10. NohNoh
 Simple sets, little orSimple sets, little or
no propsno props
 Stage has threeStage has three
sides for audience,sides for audience,
connects to dressingconnects to dressing
room (separated byroom (separated by
curtain)curtain)
 Accompanied byAccompanied by
music / “chorus”music / “chorus”

11. A Traditional Noh TheatreA Traditional Noh Theatre

12. KabukiKabuki
 Developed aroundDeveloped around
1600’s1600’s
 Stories based onStories based on
folklore, historyfolklore, history
 Highly stylized makeupHighly stylized makeup
 Appeals to middle classAppeals to middle class
audience that oftenaudience that often
yells duringyells during
performanceperformance
 lavish, exaggeratedlavish, exaggerated

13. KabukiKabuki
 Elaborate sets, often usingElaborate sets, often using
special effectsspecial effects
 Extensive use of props,Extensive use of props,
especially the fanespecially the fan
 Stage has one side (longStage has one side (long
proscenium), walkwayproscenium), walkway
connects to rear of theaterconnects to rear of theater
 Accompanied by music /Accompanied by music /
“chorus”“chorus”
 omnagataomnagata: males: males
performing as femalesperforming as females

14. Comparisons: Kabuki andComparisons: Kabuki and
Elizabethan (Shakespearean) TheaterElizabethan (Shakespearean) Theater
When thinking of how Elizabethan theater is like Kabuki,When thinking of how Elizabethan theater is like Kabuki,
particularlyparticularly A Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s Dream, consider:, consider:
 Only men play female partsOnly men play female parts
 Human characters interact with supernatural people /Human characters interact with supernatural people /
forces (fairies)forces (fairies)
 Use of songsUse of songs
 Exaggeration, especially for humorExaggeration, especially for humor
 Love of special effects (Globe Theater: trap doors,Love of special effects (Globe Theater: trap doors,
galleries, cannons)galleries, cannons)

15. Contemporary InfluenceContemporary Influence
of Kabuki & Nohof Kabuki & Noh
 JapaneseJapanese animeanime (cartoons)(cartoons)
andand mangamanga (comic books)(comic books)
 Costume / makeupCostume / makeup
design for moderndesign for modern
movies (such asmovies (such as StarStar
WarsWars))

17. HAIKUHAIKU
 A form of minimalist Japanese poetryA form of minimalist Japanese poetry
 Was opening stanza of longer poem beforeWas opening stanza of longer poem before
becoming stand-alone formbecoming stand-alone form
 Traditionally, the subject is nature or theTraditionally, the subject is nature or the
seasonsseasons
 Attempts to be profound, or compare twoAttempts to be profound, or compare two
unlike thingsunlike things
 Consists of three lines and a certain numberConsists of three lines and a certain number
of syllables per lineof syllables per line
 Traditionally, haiku is 5-7-5.Traditionally, haiku is 5-7-5.
 Because of language differences, JapaneseBecause of language differences, Japanese
haiku that is translated into English may nothaiku that is translated into English may not
fall into this syllabic structure.fall into this syllabic structure.

18. Japanese HaikuJapanese Haiku
the first cold showerthe first cold shower
even the monkey seems to wanteven the monkey seems to want
a little coat of straw.a little coat of straw.
old pond (old pond (fu/ru/i/ke yafu/ru/i/ke ya))
a frog jumps (a frog jumps (ka/wa/zu to/bi/ko/muka/wa/zu to/bi/ko/mu))
the sound of water (the sound of water (mi/zu no o/tomi/zu no o/to))
- both by Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)- both by Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)

19. English HaikuEnglish Haiku
A leaf falls forward –A leaf falls forward –
A tumbling red-gold toddlerA tumbling red-gold toddler
Meets the ground surprised.Meets the ground surprised.
Moist snowflake gleams, perchedMoist snowflake gleams, perched
At the end of my own noseAt the end of my own nose
Before it melts, like lost tears.Before it melts, like lost tears.

20. Japan’sJapan’s
Tourist SpotsTourist Spots

21. Mount Fuji Mount Fuji
 located on Honshu Island, is thelocated on Honshu Island, is the
highest mountain in Japan athighest mountain in Japan at
3,776.24 m (12,389 ft).3,776.24 m (12,389 ft).
 An activestratovolcano that lastAn activestratovolcano that last
erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fujierupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji
lies about 100 kilometres (60 mi)lies about 100 kilometres (60 mi)
south-west of Tokyo, and can besouth-west of Tokyo, and can be
seen from there on a clear day.seen from there on a clear day.
 It is one of Japan's "ThreeIt is one of Japan's "Three
HolyMountains" (Sanreizan)HolyMountains" (Sanreizan)
along with Mountalong with Mount
Tate and Mount HakuTate and Mount Haku
 It is a special place of scenicIt is a special place of scenic
beauty, a historic site, and wasbeauty, a historic site, and was
added to the World Heritageadded to the World Heritage
List as a Cultural Site on JuneList as a Cultural Site on June
22nd, 201322nd, 2013

22. Rainbow BridgeRainbow Bridge
 Officially called theOfficially called the
“Shuto Expressway No.“Shuto Expressway No.
11 DDaiba Route - Port of11 DDaiba Route - Port of
TokyoConnector Bridge,"TokyoConnector Bridge,"
the name "'Rainbowthe name "'Rainbow
Bridge" was decided byBridge" was decided by
the public.the public.
 is a suspensionis a suspension
bridge crossingbridge crossing
northern Tokyonorthern Tokyo
Bay between ShibauraBay between Shibaura
Pier andPier and
the Odaiba waterfrontthe Odaiba waterfront
development in Minato,development in Minato,
Tokyo, Japan.Tokyo, Japan.
 The bridge is 798 metresThe bridge is 798 metres
(2,618 ft) long with a main(2,618 ft) long with a main
span of 580 metresspan of 580 metres
(1,903 ft).(1,903 ft).

23. The Great Buddha of KamakuraThe Great Buddha of Kamakura
 is a colossal outdooris a colossal outdoor
representation of Amidarepresentation of Amida
Buddha, one of Japan’sBuddha, one of Japan’s
most celebrated Buddhistmost celebrated Buddhist
figures.figures.
 Cast in bronze, the GreatCast in bronze, the Great
Buddha stands at over 13Buddha stands at over 13
meters (40 feet) high andmeters (40 feet) high and
weighs nearly 93 tons.weighs nearly 93 tons.
 The statue reportedlyThe statue reportedly
dates from 1252. Althoughdates from 1252. Although
it originally was housed init originally was housed in
a small wooden temple,a small wooden temple,
the Great Buddha nowthe Great Buddha now
stands in the open air asstands in the open air as
the original temple wasthe original temple was
washed away in a tsunamiwashed away in a tsunami
in the 15th century.in the 15th century.

24. Kinkaku-ji or the Temple of theKinkaku-ji or the Temple of the
Golden PavilionGolden Pavilion
 is the most popular touristis the most popular tourist
attraction in Japan and Kyoto.attraction in Japan and Kyoto.
 The pavilion was originally built asThe pavilion was originally built as
a retirement villa for Shoguna retirement villa for Shogun
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the lateAshikaga Yoshimitsu in the late
14th century. Unfortunately, the14th century. Unfortunately, the
pavilion was burnt down in 1950 bypavilion was burnt down in 1950 by
a young monk who had becomea young monk who had become
obsessed with it.obsessed with it.
 Five years later, the temple wasFive years later, the temple was
rebuilt as an exact copy of therebuilt as an exact copy of the
original. Emphasis is placed on theoriginal. Emphasis is placed on the
building and surrounding gardensbuilding and surrounding gardens
being in harmony with one another.being in harmony with one another.
 The pavilion is covered in gold leafThe pavilion is covered in gold leaf
which highlights the reflection ofwhich highlights the reflection of
the pavilion in the pond and thethe pavilion in the pond and the
pond’s reflection on the building.pond’s reflection on the building.

25. Hiroshima Peace MemorialHiroshima Peace Memorial
 is a haunting tribute to theis a haunting tribute to the
lives lost when the atomiclives lost when the atomic
bomb was dropped onbomb was dropped on
Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
Set in a park, the memorialSet in a park, the memorial
features Genbaku Dome, thefeatures Genbaku Dome, the
only building left standing inonly building left standing in
the vicinity after the bombthe vicinity after the bomb
dropped.dropped.
 This harsh reminder of aThis harsh reminder of a
world at war reminds visitorsworld at war reminds visitors
of the importance of humanof the importance of human
life and honors the victims solife and honors the victims so
they will never be forgotten.they will never be forgotten.

26. END OF SLIDE SHOWEND OF SLIDE SHOW 
A First Quarter Group ProjectA First Quarter Group Project
In English 8In English 8
(MOGCHS)(MOGCHS)
TO: Mrs. Janet M. AbaoTO: Mrs. Janet M. Abao
Subject TeacherSubject Teacher
By: Andre G. AbadBy: Andre G. Abad
&&
Jeriel C. MaglangitJeriel C. Maglangit
Grade 8 – DeterminedGrade 8 – Determined
August 3, 2013August 3, 2013