Tales of Rain and MoonTales of Rain and Moon~Ueda Akinari ~Ueda Akinari ~~

Lec 10.1Lec 10.1

Ueda Akinari (1734-1809)Ueda Akinari (1734-1809)

Born in Osaka; illegitimate child adopted Born in Osaka; illegitimate child adopted by merchantby merchant

1771: Fire burnt down his house in Osaka 1771: Fire burnt down his house in Osaka and businessand business

Became a doctorBecame a doctor.. Most famous for Most famous for Ugetsu MonogatariUgetsu Monogatari 1776 1776

Ueda AkinariUeda Akinari

KokugakuKokugaku scholar scholar 1793: Moved to Kyoto to retire. 1793: Moved to Kyoto to retire. Wrote Wrote Harusame monogatariHarusame monogatari (Tales of (Tales of

Spring Rain, his other famous Spring Rain, his other famous yomihonyomihon) in ) in 18081808

Influenced modern writers like Izumi Influenced modern writers like Izumi KyKyôka, Satô Haruo, and Mishima Yukioôka, Satô Haruo, and Mishima Yukio

Ugetsu MonogatariUgetsu Monogatari

Akinari’s most famous work—popular Akinari’s most famous work—popular since its publication in 1776.since its publication in 1776.

Preface in Chinese praises Preface in Chinese praises Water MarginWater Margin and and Tale of GenjiTale of Genji

Best ghost story in Japanese literatureBest ghost story in Japanese literature

The Rise of the SupernaturalThe Rise of the Supernatural

Proliferation of the Proliferation of the supernatural in 18 and supernatural in 18 and 19C19C

Iconology of the “legless” Iconology of the “legless” ghost established in 18Cghost established in 18C

Communal entertainment Communal entertainment related to narrating related to narrating ((hyaku monogatarihyaku monogatari))

Adaptations of legends, Adaptations of legends, popular Chinese ghost popular Chinese ghost storiesstories

Hyakki yagyHyakki yagyô ô (Night Walk of One Hundred Demons)(Night Walk of One Hundred Demons)

YYûreiga ûreiga (Ghost Paintings)(Ghost Paintings)

Shift to Vengeful Women

The Serpent’s LustThe Serpent’s Lust

Based on Chinese source, “Eternal Based on Chinese source, “Eternal Prisoner under Thunder Peak Pagoda”Prisoner under Thunder Peak Pagoda”

Setting Heian periodSetting Heian period The The iro otokoiro otoko Dojoji legendDojoji legend Serpent womanSerpent woman

UgetsuUgetsu

Most famous film of Mizoguchi Kenji, 1953Most famous film of Mizoguchi Kenji, 1953 Based on two stories of Based on two stories of Ugetsu Ugetsu

MonogatariMonogatari One of most haunting filmsOne of most haunting films Venice Film FestivalVenice Film Festival