Traditional Japanese Literature (Columbia University Press)

Stretching from ancient times to the late medieval period, Traditional Japanese Literature spans both high and popular styles and contains key examples of poetry, drama, prose fiction, and essays. For this abridged edition, Shirane retains substantial excerpts from such masterworks as The Tale of Genji, The Tales of the Heike, The Pillow Book, Manysh, and Kokinsh. He preserves his comprehensive survey of secular and religious anecdotes (setsuwa) as well as classical poems with extensive commentary. He features classic n drama; selections from influential war epics; and notable essays on poetry, fiction, history, and religion.