9.3 Major genres of Edo period literature

The Edo period saw a boom in literary genres, from witty haikai poetry to dramatic kabuki theater. These forms reflected the vibrant urban culture and growing literacy of the time, with writers exploring new ways to entertain and engage readers.

Popular genres like ukiyo-zōshi and kokkeibon captured the spirit of city life, while more serious works like Chikamatsu's plays and Bakin's epic novels tackled deeper themes. This mix of light and heavy, old and new, shaped Edo literature's lasting impact.

Poetry and Prose

Haikai and Zuihitsu: Innovative Poetic Forms

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• Haikai emerged as a popular form of linked verse poetry during the Edo period
• Consisted of alternating 5-7-5 and 7-7 syllable verses composed collaboratively
• Emphasized wit, wordplay, and unconventional imagery
• Matsuo Bashō revolutionized haikai by infusing it with deeper philosophical and emotional content
• Zuihitsu developed as a genre of informal essays or personal reflections
• Characterized by its fragmentary and seemingly random structure
• Often included observations, anecdotes, and musings on various topics
• Notable zuihitsu works include Sei Shōnagon's "The Pillow Book" and Kenkō's "Essays in Idleness"

Ukiyo-zōshi and Kanazōshi: Popular Prose Genres

• Ukiyo-zōshi ("books of the floating world") depicted life in the pleasure quarters and urban centers
• Featured stories about courtesans, actors, and everyday city dwellers
• Often included illustrations and aimed at a wide readership
• Ihara Saikaku pioneered the ukiyo-zōshi genre with works like "The Life of an Amorous Man"
• Kanazōshi ("books in kana") encompassed a variety of prose works written in accessible language
• Included adaptations of classical tales, travel accounts, and didactic literature
• Aimed to make literature more accessible to a broader audience
• Notable kanazōshi authors include Asai Ryōi and Ihara Saikaku in his early career

Theater and Performance

Kabuki: Popular Theater of the Merchant Class

• Kabuki developed as a form of popular theater in the early 17th century
• Characterized by its elaborate costumes, makeup, and stylized acting
• Incorporated music, dance, and acrobatics into dramatic performances
• Themes often revolved around historical events, love stories, and moral conflicts
• Notable kabuki playwrights include Kawatake Mokuami and Tsuruya Nanboku IV
• Kabuki actors became celebrities, with their images featured in ukiyo-e prints
• Performances took place in specialized theaters with unique staging techniques (hanamichi runway)

Jōruri and Chikamatsu Monzaemon: Puppet Theater Tradition

• Jōruri refers to a form of narrative chanting accompanied by shamisen music
• Evolved into bunraku puppet theater, featuring sophisticated puppetry and dramatic storytelling
• Chikamatsu Monzaemon emerged as the most renowned playwright of jōruri and kabuki
• Known as the "Shakespeare of Japan" for his prolific output and artistic innovations
• Wrote both historical plays (jidaimono) and contemporary domestic dramas (sewamono)
• Famous works include "The Love Suicides at Sonezaki" and "The Battles of Coxinga"
• Chikamatsu's plays explored themes of social conflict, moral dilemmas, and human emotions
• His works influenced both puppet theater and kabuki traditions for generations

Fiction and Humor

Kokkeibon and Ninjōbon: Comic and Sentimental Fiction

• Kokkeibon ("books of humor") emerged as a popular genre of comic literature
• Featured satirical portrayals of contemporary society and humorous dialogues
• Often written in colloquial language and included wordplay and puns
• Notable kokkeibon authors include Jippensha Ikku and Shikitei Sanba
• Ninjōbon ("books of human feelings") focused on romantic relationships and emotional conflicts
• Typically set in the pleasure quarters or merchant districts of Edo
• Explored themes of love, desire, and social constraints
• Tamenaga Shunsui's "Shunshoku umegoyomi" (Plum Calendar of Spring Colors) exemplifies the ninjōbon genre

Takizawa Bakin and the Yomihon Tradition

• Takizawa Bakin established himself as a prominent author of yomihon ("reading books")
• Yomihon combined elements of Chinese vernacular fiction with Japanese literary traditions
• Featured complex plots, historical settings, and moral teachings
• Bakin's masterpiece, "Nansō Satomi Hakkenden" (The Eight Dog Chronicles), spans 106 volumes
• The epic novel follows the adventures of eight samurai brothers born from a dog
• Incorporated elements of Chinese philosophy, Buddhist teachings, and Confucian ethics
• Bakin's works often emphasized moral lessons and the importance of loyalty and filial piety
• His writing style influenced subsequent generations of Japanese authors and storytellers