Session 11 Japanese Literature Japanese Literature is very well known. They are thought to even have the first written novel. Since they did not have their own written system at first, it is amazing how far their writing came. In the early Literature period between 710 and 794 it was primarily compilations of histories. Myths, songs etc. They were written because they were commissioned by the imperial class. The next period of literature is the literature of the court.from 794 through 1185. This brought the standardization of poetry. Most of the literature of this time period was written by women. Warrior Literature was around from 1185 to 1600. Women during this time were pushed into the background and Mongatari tales about war and feats of heroism came into literature. The literature was also influenced by Zen Buddhism. Literature of the townspeople came next from 1600­-1868. Warriors were still in charge, but it was the common people doing the writing. Marsuo Basho, a Samurai turned Haiku writer and Chikamatsu Monzaemon who created Kabuki Theater rose to popularity during this time. Modern Literature includes the time of 1868 to the present. They had a great fascination with Western writing and studied it intensely. Women came back as great writers and wrote of the female experience and old novels began to recirculate after the war. Great literature still expands in Japan.