Chinese Literature and Dynasties:
General Concepts
● Vernacular: The native language used by people from where they are from.
● Dynasty of China: Ruling government.
Historical Timeline
● Shang Dynasty: Development of Chinese writing.
○ Oracle Bone: Used in rituals (ox/turtle shells) to probe the future.
● Zhou Dynasty: The longest dynasty.
○ Basis of philosophical and religious literature: Confucianism, Taoism, and
Legalism.
● Qin Dynasty: Considered the shortest dynasty.
○ Strict obedience to the emperor.
○ Built the Great Wall of China using forced labor.
○ Downfall due to loss of control/authority.
● Han Dynasty: Scientific and historical focus.
○ Revived Confucianism.
○ Cai Lun: Created writing paper as a means of communication.
● Tang Dynasty: Flourishing of poetry and woodblock printing.
○ Du Fu: Realist poet known for depicting the reality of war.
○ Li Bai: Romantic poet known for imaginative style and expressing emotions.
● Song Dynasty: Advanced technology including early woodblock printing.
● Yuan Dynasty: Known for drama and great fictional novels.
○ Guan Hanqing: One of the best playwrights.
● Ming Dynasty: Excelled in novels due to easy access and mass printing.
○ Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en.
● Qing Dynasty: Pre-modern literature.
○ Dream of the Red Chamber (Cao Xueqin): Symbolizes truth regarding rich
families.
Study Notes: Japanese Literature and
Culture
I. General Concepts & Background
● Japan: Known as the "Land of the Rising Sun" (Nippon/Nihon).
General Concepts
● Vernacular: The native language used by people from where they are from.
● Dynasty of China: Ruling government.
Historical Timeline
● Shang Dynasty: Development of Chinese writing.
○ Oracle Bone: Used in rituals (ox/turtle shells) to probe the future.
● Zhou Dynasty: The longest dynasty.
○ Basis of philosophical and religious literature: Confucianism, Taoism, and
Legalism.
● Qin Dynasty: Considered the shortest dynasty.
○ Strict obedience to the emperor.
○ Built the Great Wall of China using forced labor.
○ Downfall due to loss of control/authority.
● Han Dynasty: Scientific and historical focus.
○ Revived Confucianism.
○ Cai Lun: Created writing paper as a means of communication.
● Tang Dynasty: Flourishing of poetry and woodblock printing.
○ Du Fu: Realist poet known for depicting the reality of war.
○ Li Bai: Romantic poet known for imaginative style and expressing emotions.
● Song Dynasty: Advanced technology including early woodblock printing.
● Yuan Dynasty: Known for drama and great fictional novels.
○ Guan Hanqing: One of the best playwrights.
● Ming Dynasty: Excelled in novels due to easy access and mass printing.
○ Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en.
● Qing Dynasty: Pre-modern literature.
○ Dream of the Red Chamber (Cao Xueqin): Symbolizes truth regarding rich
families.
Study Notes: Japanese Literature and
Culture
I. General Concepts & Background
● Japan: Known as the "Land of the Rising Sun" (Nippon/Nihon).
