Genji Reading Group

Link to Genji in other languages

Genji (and other texts) in Chinese, Japanese and Korean

Schedule

Mondays, 3:40 to 4:40*. Location:EA Library Rm 241 (Numata Room, downstairs.) ... If I am not already there, the class is listed under my name and someone at the circulation desk will probably unlock the room for you.

• Oct 8, 2012: through chapter 14 (this page will give you the correct Japanese titles to these chapter numbers)
• Oct 15, 2012: chapters 15-23
• Oct 22, 2012: chapters 24-34 (a bit long)
• Oct 29, 2012: chapters 35-39
• Nov 5, 2012: chapters 40-46
• Nov 19, 2012: chapters 47-50
• Nov 26, 2012: chapters 50-54

*About the time slot. All but one who showed interest in the group could make this time. I'm sorry for the one but there was no other time slot even close to this in terms of being able to accommodate those interested.

Preparing for "class"

• Read.
• Bring particular scenes, situations, events or characters that you would like to discuss.
• Bring questions about stuff. (Try to remember page numbers or at least chapter numbers.)
• Be ready to mention a narrative moment your especially liked or did not like (and say why).

About this group

The Genji Reading Group meets to discuss with me the Tale of Genji separate from the course presentation of the work. It is not intended to improve one's grade for the course; it is meant to allow students who are interested in being more involved in reading Genji than is made possible through the abridged version in class. There is no grade advantage nor extra credit through being involved with this group.

At the first meeting we will organize ourselves and set our goals. But we will also discuss up through chapter 9 so if you have not already done so, go back and read the in-between chapters.

The first meeting is Monday, Oct 8, probably (check back) in the East Asian Library, Numata Room (room 241, downstairs). Please wait quietly outside the room if it is locked. We have reserved the room for 3:40 to 4:40. Please don't wait for me to show up and unlock the room. You can ask for the key by confirming that you are a member of the J7A Wallace special reading group.

While keeping up with the reading is not required, I prefer a small group of students who have done the reading, at least nearly every week, rather than a larger group of mixed students, some who are there just to listen. We will NEVER summarize the story so if the plan was to try to sort the story out by listening in, please don't participate.

Since fairness is important to me, we will not be discussing mujōkan, mono no aware and such. We will approach things differently.

Scheduling, reading "assignments" and other announcements & comments will be on this page, not the regularly announcement page. So please check back here now and then.

The location for week two is not yet set.

Can students who did not sign up for the class participate?

I will give it a try and drop the idea if the room turns out to be too crowded or disruptive. Outside participants can listen but not ask questions. If there is limited seating the "registered" students get the chairs at the table.

Random links

List of characters and what chapters they appear in: http://www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/~pmjs/resources/genji/characters.html