Japanese Language and Literature Study
My Guided Learning Project
Introduction
Hello! I'm Delia Lee from Temasek Polytechnic's School of Design. I am currently in the second year of Diploma of Communication Design.
I have always wished to explore a culture and language I have always been interested in such as the Japanese Culture. It has always fascinated me with its unique practices, memorable pop-culture and more. The culture has always struck a chord in me, and seeing it influenced all over the world is truly a wonder.
Additionally, I find that many of our peers and our generation take reading and literature for granted. Reading has been a good part of my childhood, and seeing many people of my age and generation only read when required (school lessons, assignment instructions, etc...) is really disheartening.
Hence, with this project, I wish to help grow more of an interest in both Japanese Culture and reading in others by studying it myself. My end goal is to produce a poetry publication based on a Japanese literature book. Through this, I will learn about the Japanese culture through its literature and its creative writing, and additionally guide myself through a poetry-writing and illustrating process.
Below is my e-portfolio for this project. I hope it can inspire you as much as it has inspired me!
Submitted Proposals
My four attributes listed in my Refined Proposal are self-directed, competent, resilience, innovative and entrepreneurial.
Since I will be executing this project alone as well, it will teach me to seek materials and research on my own with available resources and complete tasks on my own. I would also be depending on myself to complete each step, building competency.
This project involves several creative efforts such as writing, illustrating, designing for print and more. This would teach me how to be innovate through exploring unique ways to express and communicate effectively through my project, and also to seek new solutions and methods to achieve this. It also teaches me to be entrepreneurial through taking risks and experimenting how should I execute my project.
This project takes place over several months. With a project taking place through an extended period of time, it would teach me to be resilient and continue to push through with the dedicated plan written out for myself.
What I had to do...
My Journey to Completion!
Research, Reading and Analysing
Plan and Perform Stages
Firstly, I had to conduct research on which Literature works I would be reading. I also had to analyse the book after reading, to read between the lines and give myself food for thought for the next step.
Writing and Illustrating
Perform and Monitor Stages
Secondly, I had to write and illustrate my full project. With the research, analysis and reading from the previous step, I now needed to put my plan into action to fully flesh out my project.
Final Finishes, Reflections and Portfolio
Reflect Stage
Lastly, with the project being wrapped up, how was I going to give the final push to bring the project to life? Additionally, this step will include my final reflections.
Contents
Literature Research
Literature Reflections and Analysis
Research and Topics to Write About
Writing Process
Print and Publication Look
Final Reflections
Reading Reflections
Here are the few Japanese Literature works I have put under consideration to read! The last two were the books I had read, as my learning contract had required I read at least two books for my GL project.
Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji
This was initally one of my first few options to thinking which Literature work to read. As I did not know much about the many Japanese Literature works, I only knew this as the very first novel written in Japan and one of the most famous Japanese Literature works. However, I quickly put this option aside as I was told by Shitega-san (my Guided Learning facilitator) that this work is incredibly old, and may not have topics, cultural themes and practices that my target audience would connect to.
Yukio Mishima: The Sailor that Fell from Grace with the Sea
This was another title that I had initially known of before starting on my project. Although this was one of my top choices after research, I chose other works as I thought it would be more relevant to the target audience.
The main introduction to this book was about a child and his friends join a gang, with a sailor, and this mother and the sailor making love.
Haruki Murakami: Desire
I initally considered this book as Murakami is one of the ore popular Japanese literature writers in today's age. Many of his works can be found in most local bookstores. Besides about desire, the book also talks about loneliness and hunger for connection and understanding.
Yukio Mishima: School of the Flesh
(Also called Nikutai no Gakko) I initally considered this book as the title was eye-catching for me. However, I did not manage to find an English translation for this at all, hence I did not choose this book.
Natsume Soseki: I Am A Cat
I had initally chosen this book as I thought it would be a good title to get young people enticed to the work. Short comedic stories would be interesting for millenials and youths to read. However, while reading, I found this work to be quite boring and the humour was pretty dry and ambiguous. The book's content felt very draggy for myself personally as well, and every story and its meaning felt slow to being to life.
Osamu Dazai: No Longer Human
I initally chose this book as since it covers topics like human thinking and emotions, this would make a good topic to write about. I picked this work as it would definitely be interesting to read and write about, from how the protagonist had no hope in himself since his childhood.
Initial listed works to research on.
Final Thoughts
The novel depicts a life of someone that has no hope for humans or himself. From 'putting up performances' as a child to eventually falling into addiction for alcohol and drugs, bring suicidal throughout, Dazai's quote about the novel for those 'who have lost all hope' truly takes meaning here.
Our protagonist here has placed himself away from society from the very beginning. Through the story, he only indulges himself in the worst of pleasures and acts when needed to. Leeching off others and becoming a black hole. Overall, a slow, painful life and death.
In my eyes, the protagonist is someone very frail. The protagonist was an outsider to even himself and he faces life's downhills early in his existence. He can't understand humans, makes wrong decisions and eventually finds too much pain in living.
Part of the book's message to me felt that these pains will be inevitable in all life. That humans should endure and experience all sorts of emotions and happenings, which makes life for itself. People often ask what's the meaning of life, however, reading this novel makes me feel that I can believe in the reasoning in that humans are supposed to find their own meaning in life a little bit more. Through our own personal bouts and through our eyes, we find a way to live well for ourselves.
Topics to Write About
After reading the novel, I had to go in-depth into its happenings and list out what topics to write about.
Linked below is my full list of topics I had listed out along with additional research (bolded are the ones which I had written about, I did not write about everything due to the large amount of content needed to produce). Additionally, listed below are my highlighted cultural topics to discuss and write about. As this publication was to encourage readers to learn more about the Japanese culture, I wanted to write these and infuse it with the publication. Additionally, blending it with my personal outlook and reflections would make it an enriching writing experience as well.
Osamu Dazai
Explain Dazai’s life and a bit of the purpose of the book, to get readers to think about what kind of message he wanted to send through his book.
Getting readers to think about what type of life Dazai felt like he had; since he had written No Longer Human right before he took his own life, would readers connect this novel to his own personal life and stresses?
No Longer Human was Dazai’s last work as he took his own life after writing it. Some people even believe this work is meant to be his will. A modern analyst also stated that Dazai may have had post-traumatic stress disorder while writing the book.
Some things similar in the book and to his life are the neglect of studies, both fathers being wealthy, association with drugs, alcohol and prostitutes, attempted double suicide (with a woman named Shimeko Tanabe with him as the only survivor), an association with a Communist party, several failed suicide attempts, an addiction to morphine, was a mental institution patient and an addiction to alcohol.
Gender Inequality
Much of Japan’s gender inequality was present in previous eras. There is even evidence of Japan’s language itself being misogynistic and traditional towards gender roles.
Since the protagonist himself has several interesting and memorable recounts with women, I want to highlight how perhaps the view of the female gender being of lower status than a male could have potentially been the typical outlook for the characters in the book.
Sadly, I missed out on including this topic in my publication. Due to tight schedules and having difficulty into writing and expressing this out, I left this in my research.
Shinju (Double Suicide)
The idea and act of double suicides originating from Japan, due to reasons like societal conventions, familial obligations and more.
The saying that if both lovers die together, they will be together after death in the Edo period.
Referencing real-life incidents that revolve around this idea of a love suicide.
Nowadays, in today's generation, people in Japan can also commit a similar act of Suicide Pacts. Some meet over the internet and have a pact to die together or near the same place or time.
Drinking Culture in Japan
Drinking is a part of the living culture in Japan, often with office groups being invited out to drink after work. Many office workers also enjoy drinking a bit too much.
As someone who has heard much about the toxic drinking culture in Japan, I want to highlight this together especially with the publication of No Longer Human, which often has the protagonist addicted to alcohol and explains the different uses of alcohol to people in Japan.
How many people in Japan use alcohol as a means to escape from their demanding life.
Japan is said to be a “booze lover’s paradise”, having many variations of alcoholic drinks and beers. Alcohol is deeply seated into their culture, having alcoholic drinks often after work with colleagues or work parties in today’s culture. Some workers may even feel pressured and cajoled into joining the drinking parties that work companies hold. They may even just join. For the sake of losing their promotion or bonuses.
As tourists, many people do see unconscious office workers passed out in the street at night at many metropolises. Since alcohol is not considered a drug or problem by many or even the government, many end up having an addiction. Perhaps it could be to escape their real-world issues, problems and responsibilities.
Although there is a great unhealthy drinking culture surrounding Japan, some have said that they see it as just a fun and easy way to unwind, while there are dark and harmful perspectives too.
Some see it as a way to communicate and express themselves with others, as Japan is sometimes even known as a serious and unemotional country. Alcohol can be used as a way to have a fun and exciting time with other adults at bars.
The Story of Shuten-doji Coming to Be
I find that the story of how the myth of Shuten-doji came to be possesses some similarities and parallels to No Longer Human.
Shuten-doji was said to originally be human, but when he became very drunk at a festival, he put on an Oni mask, played pranks on many people and priests, and later could not take the mask off, and fused with his body.
Personally, I think mentioning this story of Shuten-doji will make the reader think about the protagonist of Ningen Shikkaku. Perhaps was it due to the protagonist taking up a fake persona, or mask, that he became less and less human just like Shuten-doji? Or maybe even the influence of alcohol, drugs and his participation in prostitution that helped, just like how Shuten-doji was initially drunk at the festival?
What it means to be Human
Getting readers to think: what does it mean to live and be human in today’s world?
Is the ending of No Longer Human a good one or not? Is it truly better for the protagonist to live the rest of his life in isolation, away from society?
In today’s world, there are different ways of living. Some may want a peaceful, simple life, or maybe the opposite, where things are fast-paced and action-packed yet thrilling.
How do they want to live? With morality and honesty? Passion and grit? Or maybe exploring every possibility they can achieve with their life? Since this literary work has a character that is perhaps quite frail and contemplates his existence through his true self, this will give the reader something to think about with such a character with how they live their everyday lives.
Additionally, I've put down my own thoughts about the book through this poem. As this poem was to be the last in the book, I wanted to leave behind some food for thought.
Writing Process
Personally, I've not actually written much. Although I've read and written lots as a child, I only write now when the urge hits me and once in a while.
Through my writing process, I also researched on different writing formats for poetry. After writing for a while, I found my writing process to result in repetitive results.
Below is my process for writing. Additionally, I've put some examples of where I had rewritten some works too.
Example 1: Shuten-doji
There once was a child
Orphaned, unnamed, yet strong
Great might and wit he both possessed
But a troublemaker he was for others to accept.
Unparalleled in his priesthood
Excelling in his studies
But nothing more disappointing in him
His attitude in which had the least respect.
Participating in dangerous brawls
Excessive drink-downs too
He grew an intense hate for his peers
While becoming terribly fond for booze.
One cool night the temple beamed
With colourful lights and warm bright hues
He nicked a demon mask from a stall
And began his mischievous pranks for all.
They found him later, still donning the mask
Oh, how, they said, could you have drunken so many flasks!
The little drunkard grabbed his face
But to his surprise, the mask could not separate!
Heart racing, running fast
He could not buy enough time to last
The moon glazed over the river
And the silhouette gleamed his ultimate shelter.
The boy scurried up the mountainous land
With fear that the elder priests would apprehend
Splinters and stones stuck up his soles
Legs carrying him as fast as he could
Taking refuge up the mountains
Cutting all contact with civilization
Living alone with the demon mask
That soon became his identity.
Known as the little demon
Addicted to gin and drink
This is the story of how
Shuten-doji came to be.
Example 2: Manipulation and Friendship
(note: this poem was not included into the publication)
‘You did it on purpose.’
He spoke, in earnest.
I froze, chills all over
Terror flooded my composure.
My persona has shown some holes
Oh no, what will become of my role!
Takeichi better have his lips sealed
My secrets and persona need to be concealed!
24/7 surveillance and observation
Scattered with some artificial affection
A great friendship we shall weave
And genuine you shall see.
Poem Reflection #1
These were some of the few poems I had initially written first, without much reference from online information about poem writing. I found these to be quite similar in a few ways. Although both feature storytelling, my way of writing it felt very similar. I knew I had to change my writing styles if I wanted my publication to be interesting.
Here are some quotes to their similarity:
"Oh, how, they said, could you have drunken so many flasks!"
"Oh no, what will become of my role!"
"But to his surprise, the mask could not separate!"
"My secrets and persona need to be concealed!"
"This is the story of how Shuten-doji came to be."
"A great friendship we shall weave / And genuine you shall see."
Although these lines are good to bring in tonality and interest in my writing, having it repeated throughout various poems wouldn't do any good. Some of these similarities are evident in my other poems as well, so I knew I had to explore other writing styles.
Example 3: Women
I wrote this poem in the format of a sonnet, which has 14 lines and notably often used in the topic of love. Since this topic was about women, I thought this was a good idea to implement this in the context of the book.
Easy to amuse, trickier to comprehend
Outsiders like these are so much harder to understand
My experiences with them stop me affright
Women have to be pleased, or they’d start a fight.
You can befriend them all you like, but
Avert your eyes behind and your guts they’ll cut.
Through my childhood, females hung around
Perhaps these incidents shaped my outlook profound.
Once the special ones reveal their affection,
I can’t help but to not shake off the tension.
Fear consumes me and I do all to pacify her
Forcing my sad little smile, to keep her from anger.
Indulgence and artificiality to claim what they need,
Women may just live in order to sleep.
Example 4: Osamu Dazai
I wrote this in a format of a haiku (5-7-5 syllable format). Since many of my poems tend to be long-winded, I explored a short poem format that can help me shorten a few of my poems.
Writing this novel
With disturbing happenings
Then saying goodbye.
Living through much pain
An addict to drugs and booze,
Rather suicidal.
Fairly similar,
Almost like a diary
Don’t you think so too?
Example 5: Rejection
Continuing to explore short poem formats, I wrote this with the Sijo format. It consists of 3 sentences and a total of 44-46 syllables (14-16 each line).
Summer blossomed as I was released from the sanitarium.
The tranquil cosmos bloomed as I was asked to leave Tokyo.
Misty eyes, wistful visions, I finally passed as a reject.
An old house by the sea, peeled walls and rotten woodwork.
Requested for some sleeping pills, they returned with laxatives.
Cackling, I gobbled them down -- knowing that everything passes.
Example 6: Tsuneko
This strange, shared comfort
No masks or fake exteriors.
We drank together.
“I feel so much woe.”
I can’t tell who said it first
We disliked living.
Too much humiliation
Kamakura’s waters neared
We jumped together.
Sinking in, hands held
The silence consoled us
We wanted to end.
They found me, I said
My lover had drowned to death
I lived on, alone.
Poem Reflection #2
Above in example 6 was my final work. However, I initially rewrote a few lines which were previously:
A borrowed sash and
Folded coffee overcoat
We jumped together.
Initially, this was to the context of the novel, where the protagonist and Tsuneko had attempted suicide and left these pieces of clothing behind. However, rereading these lines made it feel confusing, and especially to a new reader to No Longer Human, it would seem out of place and puzzling. Hence, I rewrote these lines into:
Too much humiliation
Kamakura's waters neared
We jumped together.
I rewrote it such that it still sticks to the context of the book, as they both felt shame in their lives and jumped into a water body of Kamakura.
Example 7: Devoid of Desire and Greed
A trashed and incomplete poem. Personally found this horrible as it was not enticing at all. Also combined this topic into one that would be in the publication.
I don’t understand
How my stomach rumbles
When I lack of energy
Why they give me something to munch
I don’t understand
When they say ‘Eat or Die’
How they ‘Work to Earn’
While I lack desire
I don’t understand
Why they whine about life
Without feeling alienated
Creating a Publication
I wanted my publication to reflect a little about the book's theme and topics. Since many poetry books tend to be majorly black-and-white, I thought this would suit my theme and built upon that idea. Below is the inspiration I used to formulate a look and illustration style for my publication.
After scouring the net for a bit to find some inspiration images, I found that it would be best to stick to a minimalist style and look with textured illustrations. This would get the book to remain raw, intense and impactful, while still keeping a natural and simple look.
Milestone Chart and Resource List
Plan Stage (Completed through week 6)
Research of varied Japanese Literature works (I Am A Cat by Natsume Soseki,
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai)
Reflection on read Japanese Literature works(I Am A Cat by Natsume Soseki, No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai)
Perform Stage (Completed through week 10)
Completed reflection of selected read Japanese Literature works (I Am A Cat by Natsume Soseki, No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai)
Drafted and completed poetry
Drafted and completed illustrations
Monitor Stage (Completed through Flex Week 2)
Completed publication
Portfolio and GL report
Reflect Stage (Completed through Week 12)
Oral Reflection Review
GL Survey
Resources Consulted
Online resources about different writing styles and forms of poetry (Masterclass articles, finding out about sonnets, odes, sijos, etc)
Goodreads reviews about No Longer Human (Seeing what others thought about the work, reading what they thought of it)
Poetry books (Flora Poetica: The Chatto Book of Botanical Verse and Little Things, both poetry compilations)
Pinterest (gathering inspiration for print publication design)
Final Thoughts
Throughout this semester-wide module, I definitely learnt about some things I should strive to improve about myself.
However, I also found this project to be very enjoyable, as stuff like reading, writing and illustrating is something I do enjoy doing. Additionally, doing these creative tasks for this project allowed me to expand my skills on writing, illustrating, idea expression and sharing. I found these tasks to potentially aid me in future to expand on my skills, as my future plan does involve an occupation in the arts. Things like illustration, writing, design and graphics have always enticed me and have been a part of me since childhood, pushing for me to pursue a career in a creative field. These skills would allow me to explore and expand on these skills and experience, pushing the boundaries of what I can do.
From the plan stage, I definitely found my liking for reading again. The books I read were something that piqued my mind and thinking, allowing me to think for myself and evaluate what I thought about the books and what they meant as a story. It allowed me to be independent of what I thought and felt about the story, and ideas of how to express these ideas into my publication.
In the perform stage, it was a struggle growing out of my usual writing and illustration style. Exploring different styles was something I definitely learned from and enjoyed doing. It allowed me to see new possibilities and find new ways to express what I wanted to convey, like new feelings and results. These new styles are someting I would definitely explore more on in my own personal projects. It taught me to keep pushing for improved writing too, aiming for better each time.
For my monitor phase, it was something else seeing about how I could format and style my own writings and poems. Thinking about it allowed me to be self-directed into how I personally wanted my work to be expressed, seen and experienced.
Lastly, this project allowed me to think in new possibilities and ideas, and it also taught me on a few weaknesses of mine. One mainly being time management, goal setting and getting things done quickly. Through this experience, it allowed me to push myself to improve on these skills, allowing me to be competent as well.
Overall, this was a module I thoroughly enjoyed!
