PATRICK CADDEAU
Visiting Professor of Japanese Literature
Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, Columbia University
Director of Studies, Forbes College, Princeton University
office tel: 609.258.7193 email: caddeau@princeton.edu

 
EAAS 3113: Reading The Tale of Genji as a Novel
 
  [DESCRIPTION]
[FILMS]
[SYLLABUS]

 

DESCRIPTION

This seminar focuses on the most revered work of the classical Japanese canon, The Tale of Genji. Written by a woman in service to the imperial court around the early eleventh century, Genji provides a detailed portrait of Japan's aristocratic culture at its zenith. We will read all fifty-four chapters of Genji in translation, taking regular detours to examine works of criticism, theatre, and cinema created in response to this touchstone of sophisticated classical prose fiction. Theoretical analysis will be integrated with readings on topics ranging from gender theory to the presentation and misrepresentation of a canonical text.The seminar seeks to provide students with an introduction to premodern Japan through literature and an appreciation for Genji as a masterpieceof Japanese fiction. Students taking the course for graduate credit will be directed to supplementary materials in Japanese (classical and modern) for additional reading.


Course meets: M 8-10 pm in 405 Kent Hall
Office Hours: in 405 Kent Hall before seminar and by appointment

Requirements: All primary readings are to be completed before class. Students are expected to lead at least one class discussion based on primary and secondary readings from the syllabus. Regular attendance and contribution to class discussion will be factored into final grades for the course. Short essays should be approximately 1,000 words (4 pages) in length. The final paper is due by 3:00 pm on Monday, May 8th. One-half letter grade will be deducted for each day assignments are submitted beyond the due date.

The following books are considered primary readings for the course. You will need to bring a copy of Genji with you to all class meetings. Course books are available for purchase at the Columbia University Bookstore:

Tale of Genji, Murasaki Shikibu; Tyler, trans.
The Bridge of Dreams: A Poetics of The Tale of Genji, Haruo Shirane
Norwegian Wood, Murakami Haruki

For students unfamiliar with Japanese history and culture, I also include suggested readings in the syllabus for Japanese Culture (Paul Varley, Fourth Edition).

Additional and secondary readings will be distributed during the semester or will be made available online.


 

 

FILMS

Because the seminar addresses the reception of Genji we will review scenes from a number of films and video recordings in class. When possible, the complete film or video will be placed on reserve in the Butler Media Center. Some films are personal copies, subject to limited availbility. The call number for the film follows the title, director, year released, and length of film in minutes. Personal copies of films will normally be available at the media center reserve desk under my name and this course number. Please note that films are subject to limited availability. Check the Butler Media Center schedule for hours.

Genji monogatari (Yoshimura Kozaburo, 1951, 121m)
The Tale of Genji (Sugii Gisaburo, 1987, 110m, PL 788.4 G429)
The Illustrated Handscroll The Tale of Genji (Kageyama Toshikazu, 1993, 58m, DVD ND1059.6.G4 I448 1993g)
Sennen no koi : Hikaru Genji monogatari (Horikawa Tonko, 2001, 143m)
Raise the Red Lantern (Zhang Yimou, 1991, 125m, PL2904.T86 A2491)

SYLLABUS