East Asian Lang & Literature 271 - CRAFTING THE SELF IN JAPAN

This course considers the dynamics, aims and expectations in the act of self-writing. We explore the tradition of writing the self in Japanese literature. Starting with an examination of the poetic diaries of Heian courtiers and moving to the diaries of poets Kamo no Chomei and Matsuo Basho, we then explore the influence of these traditions upon Japanese writing throughout the 20th century and the emergence of the I-novel. What are the motivations behind recording one's life experience? What are the conventions of self-writing? What is the role of memory and notions of the "truth" in self-writing?