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Title: Anthology of Japanese Literature from the Earliest Era to the Mid-Nineteenth Century by Donald Keene ISBN: 0-8021-5058-6 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: December, 1988 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.50

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Average Customer Rating: 4 (2 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: This is brilliant!
Comment: 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. :)

Rating: 3
Summary: Provides a fair cross section, but needs more volume
Comment: Although this collection has become the standard in terms of introducing the history of Japanese literature, it has one fatal flaw: it is only one volume. Admittedly it includes a large number of the more famous scenes from many famous works... the problem may be that that is all. What is a great scene or passage is up to the editor, and Dr. Keene knows better than anyone what his audience wants and needs to get a good glance at Japanese literature. However, there are many more scenes important to the overall picture of Japanese literature (such as Michiyuki-bun, aka travel stanzas) which do not exactly translate the best. The missing two stars are meant to serve as hope that the publisher will try for something with a little more meat on it next time, even at the risk of a few more pages.

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