Japanese Literature

English translations of the Sarashina Diary (1009-1059), the Diary of Murasaki Shikibu (1007-1010), and the Diary of Izumi Shikibu (1002-1003).

The Japanese held formal and informal poetry contests, both pre-written and extemporaneous poetry on specified themes; not only a form of entertainment, but a way to make or break one's social prestige in the Imperial Court. This article demonstrates how the poetry games of medieval Japan can work as creative entertainments within the SCA.

A collaborative effort to make texts of classical Japanese literature available on the World Wide Web. Includes poetry, prose, and drama from the Nara Period to the present.

Essays on Japanese writers and their works.

This site is meant to serve as a general source for informatio n in English on Japanese literature . With minor exceptions , all content is in English even when discussing Japanese texts.