Chapter XI: Surveying Genji

For the past two days I've had the opportunity to experience Genji in a variety of ways. First, I met two professors from Josai International University to discuss how Genji is used in contemporary Japanese literature classes. Next, I had the privilege of going to a Japanese home (the friend of a friend) discussed the book with a young high school student who recently read Genji in her Japanese literature class; she also mentioned how frequently the book appeared in her literature exams at school. Finally, with the help of a Japanese friend, I did a very quick and simple survey on the streets of Tokyo, asking people about their impressions of the book.

Some of the survey findings are:

1) 10 out of 10 Japanese people correctly identified Genji as being a major work of Japanese literature

2) 8 out of 10 Japanese people correctly identified the era the novel was written

3) 5 out of 10 Japanese people could, without help, identify 5 or more major characters in the novel

4) 3 out of 10 Japanese people recognized that this is the 1,000 anniversary of the novel (which came as a surprise)

5) 0 out of 10 Japanese people claimed to have read the entire work in the original language

When we learned that so few people had read the work in the original language, we asked them how they had knowledge of the book. Many of the people surveyed claimed to have see movie versions or read the manga (comic book) version, which are ubiquitous in Japan.

Upon hearing this, I went immediately to a bookstore to see if I could find the comic. Fortunately, it was right there on the shelf. In my next post, I'll talk a little bit more about the various versions of Genji that can be found around Japan today. In the meantime, consider the following:

YOUR TASK:

1) Find a favorite book or movie. Create questions concerning different aspects of the book or movie. Ask those questions to 10 people you know. Record and analyze the results.

2) What interesting things did you learn about the book from your survey?

Chapter X: Living the Language

Today, after meeting with two Japanese professors to discuss Genji, I ran across a young man writing poetry for extra money on the street. After explaining to him the purpose of my trip and the purpose of this blog, he enscribed the following proverb (seen upclose in the lower right picture above): Work hard every day, progress every day, be thankful every day." In a lot of ways, it was exactly what this trip has meant to me. With any luck, every day will continue to represent hard work, progress and gratitude.

In the meantime, now that I'm more aware of how hiragana, katakana and kanji are used, I'm thrilled to observe the way written Japanese is used around me every day.

To see more photos from my trip, many of which have a language focus, go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41681491@N07/

YOUR TASK:

1) Find a web site in Japanese. (Make sure the content of the web site is something you're familiar with. For example, if you like Nike shoes, you may want to click on the Japanese version of the Nike web page at http://www.nike.jp/nikeosaka/index.html, or if you like computers try http://www.apple.com/jp/startpage/.)

2) Once you are there, see if you can spot the different "alphabets" in Japanese. You should look for characters that are simple and complex, or those written in a "cursive" rather than a block print. What feelings to do you think accompany these different scripts? Why do you think the Japanese people use them?

Chapter IX: Language and Genji

Examples of hiragana, katakana, and kanji in Japanese

This conversation in the previous chapter was a precursor to the next point I'd like to make about Genji: the way the book was written.

The Japanese language currently uses four "alphabets" known as hiragana, katakana, kanji and roomaji. While this might seem strange to someone who comes from a language like English, think about this: G, g, g and g are all the same letter with the same sound, right? Perhaps the function of the letters change depending on the context, but the basic significance remains the same, despite the multiple ways we have to write them.

For centuries, people in Japan used Chinese characters (kanji) to write Japanese. Genji, however, is one of the first major documents to be produced in hiragana, the simple Japanese letters that flow together like cursive writing in English.

Hiragana was developing in Japan around the same time Genji was being written, the Heian era (794 - 1185). During this time, Japan attempted to create its own identity by moving away from the things it had borrowed from China. (Kanji are the Chinese characters that are still used in Japanese today; hiragana symbols find their origins in kanji, but they are similar and only refer to sounds in Japanese.)

The biggest problem with writting everything in kanji was that when finished, it looked too formal to be enjoyable to read. Since Murasaki Shikibu used kana to write Genji, her novel appeared more relaxed. She used venacular language that felt like everyday thoughts and speech. This way of writing also helped Murasaki communicate intangible thoughts, ideas, and feelings of her characters. Because of this, it's considered the world's first "introspective novel."

YOUR TASK:

1) Find evidence of three different ways of writing that either you or others use every day. To do this, you might want to check things such as email, text messages, essays from school, on-line or hardcopy newspapers.
2) How does the writing change according to where the document comes from? It is possible for language to change its effect on the reader depending on how it is written? For example, how does it make you feel when I SUDDENLY START WRITING EVERYTHING IN CAPITAL LETTERS?

Chapter VIII: Decode Overload!

As I mentioned earlier, it's been years since I've lived in Japan. Now that I'm back, I realize how visual and vivid this culture is. That is to say, everywhere you look, everything you see seems so contextualized, and, well, complicated. . . . and yet, in the same breath I argue that everything is so logical and simple.

You're going to have to help me solve this conundrum.

YOUR TASK:

How can things be complex and simple at the same time? Take subways systems: above I have posted images of both the New York subway (which I ride at home every day) and the system I am now navigating. What aspects of each make them difficult? What makes them easy?

Chapter VII: Young Love, Old Traditions

Now back to Genji.

On the plane I re-read Chapter One, known as "Kiritsubo." This chapter is one of the longest in the book, and covers more time than any other: Genji's first twelve years. It is called "Kiritsubo" because that refers to the section of the house where Genji's mother lived -- the last room at the far end of the palace.

By age twelve, Genji has already gained the attention of the Heian court, and, against his young wishes, has been married to his first wife, Aoi, which means "blue" in Japanese.

In this chapter, Murasaki Shikibu reamarks on the history of Genji's father, who, like Genji, is in a social situation that expects him to have many wives and concubines. Due to the same social position, however, he is not permitted to be with his true love, Genji's mother, as she comes from a much lower rank in society. (Thus being forced to live at the end of the hall.)

To think that almost 600 years prior to Shakespeare writting "Romeo and Juliet," an author like Shikibu was already trying to expose the pain people experience from not being able to be with the people they love. For me, this is quiet remarkable.

It makes you wonder if things like that still happen today.

YOUR TASK:

1) Regarding marriage, think about the world around you. How is it different from Genji's situation? How is it the same?

2) What do you predict will happen between Genji and his new wife? Do you agree or disagree with arranged marriages? Why do you think in many Asian societies this form of marriage is still practiced today? Why do you think it was considered important for Genji to marry at such a young age?

3) The woman in the image above is Kiritsubo, Genji's mother. Notice how she has her back turned to us. Why do you think the illustrator chose to depict her like this? What feelings could be going through her heart and mind?

Chapter VI: A Journey to Remember

Arms stretched, the plane waits
to carry us above the
hot, gray summer skys
While others stand on hurried
lines, clutching vivid passports

Russell Wasden
In-flight over the Pacific Ocean

So I arrived, and, thinking back to my own beloved NYC, immediately began to marvel at the beauty of Tokyo: clean streets, speedy subways, and of course, some of the kindest, most generous people on earth. For example, getting to Tokyo was easy; I managed to get from my house in Manhattan without incident. However, once here, I was unsure of how to get to my hotel. A patient but determined taxi driver spent 30 minutes with me, dodging hot ramen delivery bikes and speeding down one crooked, neon filled alleyway after the next, until we had found our destination. Once there, he charged me for only one zone -- the same, basically, as travelling down one street block. I argued with him, but he refused to take more, saying he should have known this arguably obscure address from the beginning.

Something tells me that the world would be a better place if more people were like him.

Chapter V: In Exactly Twelve Hours

I'll be on JAL Flight 5, leaving from JFK. With any luck, I'll find comfort, rest and peace on the 14-hour flight.

. . . or at least a good movie!

May those who find themselves in trackless,

fearful wilderness –-

the children, the aged,

the unprotected –-

be guarded by beneficial celestials.

A Buddhist Prayer for Peace