Anthology of Japanese Literature: From the Earliest Era to the Mid-Nineteenth Century (UNESCO Collection of Representative Works: European) Paperback – January 11, 1994

What a wonderful survey of Japanese literature from the very beginning! Ending around 1870 actually makes sense. In fact, even doing that, a lot is still left out, I'm sure, but that's what the various modern readers are for.I had no idea this was originally published in 1955. It fooled me. I didn't know about its history or the history of its editor. I just picked it up, opened it, and began reading.I have a pretty decent background in Japanese history and humanities, so I started skimming for favorites that I'd read ABOUT but never actually READ. Lots are in there. Even better, there's a bunch I'd never heard of, and I suppose that was the original idea.I agree that this could be a little deeper, but cripes, it's from 1955. I'm sure it's time for a new anthology, yes, but let's not ignore this one.The Heian era in particular provided the backdrop to the creation of some of the world's most amazing literature. Murasaki Shikibu is represented here. It would be a travesty if she were not. She's quite the interesting character, as is her rival, whose name I cannot spell off-hand and do not want to embarrass myself with. :)There are lots of readers on the market. I've acquired most of them. As much as I enjoy the modern readers with their bite, edge and esoteric qualities (there is just something indescribable about modern Japanese culture, whether it be literature, manga, anime or video games), there will always be such a spot in my heart for this stuff, particularly that of the Heian era.For anyone who's a fan of Japan, this isn't to be missed.Thank you for allowing me to gush. :)

The Anthology of Japanese Literature from the earlier era to the mid-nineteenth century is a landmark publication.Compiled and edited by Donald Keene, it was published in 1955, the first anthology of translated Japanese literature in English. The book is divided into historical periods: Ancient, Heian, Kamakura, Muromachi, and Tokugawa. During the Ancient Period (to 794 A.D.), before the time of Homer and Shakespeare, the Japanese already had a great Japanese anthology of poetry called "Man'yoshu," or "Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves." It consists of more than 4,500 poems written by different poets on various subjects (separation friendship, love, death, etc.) in various poetic forms. In imagery, they are distinguished by the extensive use of images derived from nature, geography, and the seasons. In diction, they are simple, delicate, understated, and precise. For instance, in one poem, Princess Oku writes a farewell poem for her brother: "To speed my brother / Parting for Yamato,/ In the deep of night I stood / Till wet with the dew of dawn."

440 pages of easy reading.Basho's poems are 2-3 lines, so there's some really short stuff here.I enjoyed the selections. Chikamatsu's play with lover's suicides is pretty emotional. I suppose the play is better in person, but I don't speak Japanese.

While it's an older collection, Donald Keene is a great contributor to Japanese literature, especially in the West. I never had a chance to take a Japanese literature course in college, but once I moved to Japan, his book helped me better understand Japan's rich literary history.

I got this book for a class I'm taking and I'm very happy with it. I probably wouldn't have purchased this if it weren't for that class, but I'm glad I read it. The excerpts included in this anthology are very interesting.

A classic for a reason. Fantastic translation. Japanese classics rendered in comprehensible yet faithful contemporary English

Got this book for my Japanese Literature class. Ended up enjoying a lot of the content in the anthology.

Insightful look into cultural history, where it's evolved with few differences over many years. I haven't read every essay, those I've read are interesting and informative. Good reference..