University of Virginia Japanese Text Initiative
Encyclopedia
The University of Virginia
Japanese Text Initiative (JTI) is a project intended to provide a comprehensive online
database of Japanese literary texts
. Sponsored by the University of Virginia, the online collection contains somewhere over 300 texts from Japan's pre-modern and modern periods (generally defined as before and after the Meiji Restoration
of 1868). Pre-modern texts include the Man'yōshū, the Tale of Genji, the Kokin Wakashū, and the Hōjōki
. Modern texts include works by Natsume Sōseki
, Mori Ōgai
, and Akutagawa Ryūnosuke
.
The stated aim of the initiative is "In the short term... to put online most or all of the Twenty Classical Works in J. Thomas Rimer's A Reader's Guide to Japanese Literature, revised edition (New York: Kodansha, 1999)". The aim is also to add pre-20th century literature and as much 20th century literature as copyright restrictions will allow.
The database is still very much a work in progress, and it is not completely comprehensive; generally, the later in time one goes, the fewer works are featured - there are relatively few Edo-period pieces, and some Meiji
and Taishō
period authors are either absent, or not all of their works are available. As of November 2005, the last update was in March 2004.
The database can be browsed either by author or by title, and includes a search function which, among other things, can be used to search for specific or phrases occurring in the works available.
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
Japanese Text Initiative (JTI) is a project intended to provide a comprehensive online
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
database of Japanese literary texts
Japanese literature
Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written in Classical Chinese. Indian literature also had an influence through the diffusion of Buddhism in Japan...
. Sponsored by the University of Virginia, the online collection contains somewhere over 300 texts from Japan's pre-modern and modern periods (generally defined as before and after the Meiji Restoration
Meiji Restoration
The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
of 1868). Pre-modern texts include the Man'yōshū, the Tale of Genji, the Kokin Wakashū, and the Hōjōki
Hojoki
, variously translated as "An Account of My Hut" or "The Ten Foot Square Hut", is an important short work of the Kamakura period in Japan by Kamo no Chōmei. Written in 1212, it describes disasters that befall the people of Kyoto from earthquakes to famine and fire...
. Modern texts include works by Natsume Sōseki
Natsume Soseki
, born ', is widely considered to be the foremost Japanese novelist of the Meiji period . He is best known for his novels Kokoro, Botchan, I Am a Cat and his unfinished work Light and Darkness. He was also a scholar of British literature and composer of haiku, Chinese-style poetry, and fairy tales...
, Mori Ōgai
Mori Ogai
was a Japanese physician, translator, novelist and poet. is considered his major work.- Early life :Mori was born as Mori Rintarō in Tsuwano, Iwami province . His family were hereditary physicians to the daimyō of the Tsuwano Domain...
, and Akutagawa Ryūnosuke
Ryunosuke Akutagawa
was a Japanese writer active in the Taishō period in Japan. He is regarded as the "Father of the Japanese short story". He committed suicide at age of 35 through an overdose of barbital.-Early life:...
.
The stated aim of the initiative is "In the short term... to put online most or all of the Twenty Classical Works in J. Thomas Rimer's A Reader's Guide to Japanese Literature, revised edition (New York: Kodansha, 1999)". The aim is also to add pre-20th century literature and as much 20th century literature as copyright restrictions will allow.
The database is still very much a work in progress, and it is not completely comprehensive; generally, the later in time one goes, the fewer works are featured - there are relatively few Edo-period pieces, and some Meiji
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
and Taishō
Taisho
Taisho may refer to:* Taishō period , a period in the history of Japan* Emperor Taishō of Japan , reigned 1912–1926. His given name was Yoshihito.* Taishō-ku, Osaka, a ward in the city of Osaka, Japan...
period authors are either absent, or not all of their works are available. As of November 2005, the last update was in March 2004.
The database can be browsed either by author or by title, and includes a search function which, among other things, can be used to search for specific or phrases occurring in the works available.