Term
From what year did the Tokugawa bakufu begin and what year did it end?
And what was the key reason they it lasted so long? |
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Definition
1600 - 1868
They were able to maintain their hold on political power because their rule was never significantly chanlenged uuntil it was broght to an end in 1868. |
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Term
| What are Mono aware, mujo and miyabi? |
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Definition
| Mono aware, mujo and miyabi are literary aethetics which are frequently seen in heian court literature. |
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Term
| What is the meaning of Mujo? |
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Definition
| Mujo literally means "impermanence" a common theme in literature at this time and is the reminder that nothing lasts forever - everything is temporary. |
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Term
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Definition
| Mono no aware is an aesthetic which roughly translates as "the sadness/pathos of things". Items which can be described as mono no aware are often linked to the aesthetic of mujo and it implies that there is a certain bitter sweet sadness in inpermanency, that is to say things are great while they last, but when they are gone only sadness remains, as the things that were are no longer. |
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Term
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Definition
| Miyabi, which means refined or elegant. As the pathos of impermanancy was seen as a sophisticated school of thought in Heian Japan there are several instances within the literature of the Heian court that demonstrate these three aesthetics. |
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Term
What are two pertinent examples of these aesthetics in Heian literature?
Mono no aware, mujo, miyabi |
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Definition
Murusaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji
The poem "Iroha" - a poem composed in th Heian period designed to help children learn hiragana. |
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Term
| How does Genji Monogatari use these aesthetics? |
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Definition
- Shirane (1985) noted Genji was perceived as the literary zenith of it's time ,and was considered highly sophisticated - it was seen as a work of Miyabi.
- Shirane also argues that the whole of Genji may be argued to provoke sentiments of mono no aware.
- Shirane also notes that the aesthetic mono no aware demonstrates aspects of femininity - such as resolution, strength and detachment. Genji shows his sensitivity when whis mother dies - a reminder that lovd ones, too are mujo and not forever.
- Genji himself is described as "a man of arts, letters, love, sensibility...who should ultimatly assume power" This Shirane claims, is "the ultimate example of power" as those activities are considered highly cultured.
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Term
How are these aesthetics used in the poem "Iroha"
mono no aware, mujo, miyabi |
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Definition
- As the poem contained each hirigana character the poem was considered elegant or (miyabi)
- The three main themes - scattering of blossoms, changing nature of humans and the superficiality of dreams.
- Scattering of blossms particlularly represents mujo as it reminds the reader that whilst the blossoms are beautiful once they have bloomed, the leaves will one day scatter.
- The changing nature of humans demonstrates that nothing is perminant, the poem reads "who in ur world is unchanging"
- "...and we shall not see superficial dreams; nor be deluded by them" represents the imperminance of dreams. While they last they are wonderful but once you wake they are no more.
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