The Early Modern Vernacular Novel in China and Japan

FAIN: FS-272543-20

University of Oregon (Eugene, OR 97403-5219)
Maram Epstein (Project Director: March 2020 to January 2026)
Glynne Walley (Co Project Director: August 2020 to January 2026)

A four-week seminar for 16 higher education faculty to study early modern vernacular literary works from China and Japan, in the context of the growth of global commercial markets and urbanization in these countries.

This four-week seminar, taking place from June 28-July 23, 2021, will invite sixteen participants from colleges and universities to the University of Oregon to broaden their Asian Studies and World Literature curricula. This seminar focuses on early modern vernacular literary works from China and Japan that emerged during periods of urbanization and growth of global commercial markets. The seminar concentrates on two novels: "Jing Ping Mei" (Plum in the Golden Vase; 1590s) from China and "Nanso Satomi Hakkenden" (Eight Dogs of the Satomi Clan of Southern Fusa; 1814-1842) from Japan. Both are adaptations of an earlier Chinese novel: "Shuihu Zhuan" (Outlaws of the Marsh; in circulation by 1541). By focusing on one work from each country that derives from the same source, we will sketch a larger picture of the circulation of texts, techniques, aesthetics, and the development of vernacular language and culture in urbanizing and commercializing societies.