Paper short abstract:

In my presentation I will examine the way Yamaoka Genrin in his zuihitsu Taga minoue (1657) uses the Pillow Book to create a new style of writing allowing him to assert his views and express his humanistic ideal of straightforwardness and awareness of one’s position within contemporary society.

Paper long abstract:

The development of commercial publishing in the early Edo period created a demand for newly written works to suit the interest and taste of a new audience of educated citizens, leading to the emergence of writers ready to provide texts for print. One of them was Yamaoka Genrin (1631-1712). A descendant of a merchant family from Ise settled in Kyoto, he was a scholar and a physician, versed in Chinese learning but also trained in haikai poetry and Japanese classics. Yamaoka Genrin actively engaged in editorial activities authoring several haikai publications, as well as commentaries on classic works (Hyakunin isshu, Tsurezure gusa, Hôjôki…). But his first publication in 1657, at the age of 28, was a book of reflections untitled Taga minoue, which is a pun meaning “Talking about whom” as well as “Talking about others and oneself”. Taga minoue is an example of a new genre of works, inspired by the success of the Essays in Idlness, of which the best known is Kashôki (published in 1642) by Saitô Chikamori (1603-1674). These works where seminal in the development of a new style of prose closely related to the vernacular language and proposing reflections on all aspects of life in light of the teachings of the 3 main doctrines (Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism or rather Zhuangzi) to which one should add the esthetics of waka poetry and Japanese classics. A few studies have dwelled on the influence of Tsurezure gusa or Zhuangzi on Yamaoka Genrin’s language and ideas, and on his particular brand of sankyô itchi thinking (“The 3 doctrines are expressing the same truth”). Miura Kunio pointed the frequent allusions to Sei Shônagon’s Pillow Book (Makura no sôshi). In my presentation I will focus on this last aspect. Il will examine the way Yamaoka Genrin uses the Pillow Book to create a new style of writing allowing him to assert his views and express his humanistic ideal of straightforwardness and awareness of one’s position within contemporary society.