J2451 Review Checklist for Literature and Culture of the Heian Period (794-1185)
Your final will consist entirely of multiple choice and true-false questions. It will be
based on everything that we have read in all
of the assigned texts. The questions will
cover both the contents of
The Tale of Genji
and
The Pillow Book
and the cultural
background of the work, including political practices and religious beliefs as introduced
in both the assigned readings and class lectures. To prepare, you should concentrate on
the following:
1. Review all Worksheets on
The Tale of Genji
.
2. Review the Mini Quizzes.
2. Review the supplemental handouts handed out in class. Be sure you know the dates
of the Heian period, the identities of the authors of
The Tale of Genji
and
The
Pillow Book
, and the circumstances of the founding of the city of Heian-ky
ō
. Be
familiar with landmarks of Heian-ky
ō
(Heian Shrine, Kitano Shrine) from the
Dougill
text
.
3. Geography: be ready to identify the four main islands of Japan, and the cities of
Kyoto (Heian-ky
ō
), Kamakura, Tokyo, and Nara.
4. Review H. Byron Earhart
,
Religions of Japan
, p. 9 to the top of p. 16. Posted to
Carmen Content>Required Readings. Be able to identify
Historical buddha, Sakyamuni (Shaka)
Amida buddha, Pure Land (Western Paradise),
nembutsu
Kannon bodhisattva
--Re:
The Tale of Genji
1. Can you remember who is who in
The Tale of Genji?
Aoi:
Genji's first wife, given to him when she was twelve; she is a daughter of the Minister of the
Left, one of the most powerful officials at court.
The Minister of the Left:
Genji's father-in-law, father to Aoi and Tō no Chūjō
Y
ū
gao:
Formerly To no Chujo's lover, she becomes Genji's when To no Chujo abandons her, but she
is almost immediately killed by the vengeful spirit of the Rokujo Lady. Genji raises her daughter
Tamakazura, whom she had with To no Chujo.
