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John Christopher Kern Dissertation.pdf (2.55 MB)

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Changing Perspectives on a Classic: Pre-Modern Commentaries on the First Chapter of the Tale of Genji

Kern, John Christopher
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1403945990

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, East Asian Languages and Literatures.
This study examines the major commentaries on Murasaki Shikibu’s Tale of Genji from the 12th century to the 19th, centering on various topics dealing with the first chapter “Kiritsubo.” The Tale of Genji is a long narrative work that was problematic for the commentators due to the low status given to fiction. The commentators were drawn to particular topics that supported their view of Genji as a great work worthy of being read. This meant showing that the Genji was not merely a fictional work, and that it could be connected to serious scholarly spheres, such as Chinese learning, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Later commentators developed different theories of the intent and purpose of the work, rejecting the old links to Confucian teaching and moving towards modern ideas of literature. Despite the didactic trappings of the old commentaries, they continue to exert influence even on modern editions, and we can still learn a great deal from reading them. After a general introduction, Chapter 2 offers a brief prospectus of the history of Genji commentary. Chapter 3 discusses commentary on the chapter titles and the chronology of the story. Chapter 4 looks at comparisons between the fictional characters and events of the tale, and historical people and events. Chapter 5 discusses yusoku kojitsu, a branch of learning that seeks to define and trace the history of court rituals, clothing, government ranks, and other terms. Chapter 6 looks at the ways the commentators defined words in the text. Finally, Chapter 7 examines some analytical strategies of the commentators that move towards our modern conception of literary criticism, such as judging the quality of the passages or explaining the narrative construction.
Naomi Fukumori (Advisor)
Charles Quinn (Committee Member)
James Unger (Committee Member)
353 p.
Asian Literature; Asian Studies; Literature
Genji; literature; commentaries; Japanese; Murasaki; Shikibu; Norinaga; Hagiwara; Hiromichi

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kern, J. C. (2014). Changing Perspectives on a Classic: Pre-Modern Commentaries on the First Chapter of the Tale of Genji [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1403945990

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kern, John. Changing Perspectives on a Classic: Pre-Modern Commentaries on the First Chapter of the Tale of Genji. 2014. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1403945990.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kern, John. "Changing Perspectives on a Classic: Pre-Modern Commentaries on the First Chapter of the Tale of Genji." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1403945990

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1403945990
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.