Classical Japanese Prose: An Anthology

by Helen Craig McCullough (Editor)

This volume brings together in convenient form a rich selection of Japanese prose dating from the ninth to the seventeenth centuries, a period during which the preeminent cultural and aesthetic values were those of the Heian court. It contains 22 works representing all the major indigenous literary forms, either complete or in generous excerpts, and is particularly rich in writing by women and in autobiographical writings. This anthology contains longer selections than the only other available anthology, which was published in the 1950s, and each selection is preceded by an introduction reflecting the most recent scholarship. With three exceptions, all the translations are by the compilers, and almost all of them are published here for the first time. Because of space limitations, the compiler has omitted the two long masterpieces of the age, The Tale of Genji and The Tale of Heike , which deserve to be read in their entirety, and which are available in paperback English translations. The book contains an extensive general introduction, thirteen illustrations, five maps, a glossary, and a selected bibliography of works in English translation.

Genres: Japanese Literature, Fiction, Japan, Poetry

596 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

About the author

Helen Craig McCullough (February 17, 1918 – April 6, 1998) was an American academic, translator, and Japanologist. She is best known for her 1988 translation of The Tale of the Heike.

Reviews

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this is an anthology of excerpts over 800+ years, it's hard to give an "overall" rating. Some stuff I liked (Pillow Book, Essays in Idleness, Confessions of Lady Nijo), some things I didn't (sorry, Basho).

The tone and pacing of the early stuff (Tales of Ise, Kokinshu) really reminded me a lot of Edward Gorey.

Also, McCullough's haiku format is definitely the one I identify with most strongly... she sticks relatively close, but still gets some kakekotoba jabs in there. Good on her. (Hear that, Mr. "On Haiku"?? You could have engaged with these! Not just cherry-picked men!)

[Wendy Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this for a class in classical Japanese literature, but I loved it!

[Chellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an anthology, so some of it slaps and some might bore you. Either way, it's a collection of the "classics," the stuff that really impacted Japanese literature. A good read for those interested!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good first introduction to traditional Japanese literature and poetry with chronological selections spanning the 9th to the early 18th century. If you are new to classical Japanese literature, I recommend this as a place to start, but as I find myself preferring McCullough's translations to most others, I would also recommend it people familiar with The Tales of Ise, The Pillow Book, and Essays in Idleness.
The stories all have a helpful introduction with context on the author and time period it was written in. Poems include romanji and English translations side by side. Overall, the abridgments made leave out outdated sections that may not make sense to a modern reader so that the stories flow in a clear and interesting way.