On this course we will study the development of Japanese literature in the first half of the 20th century through four great novels: Natsume Soseki’s Kokoro, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s Kappa, Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s The Makioka Sisters and Yasunari Kawabata’s Snow Country.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
The period 1900-1950 in Japan spans three distinct Imperial eras - Meiji, Taishō and Shōwa, reflected in the literature of those times.
The Meiji Era (1868-1912) was one of rapid modernisation, especially through the incorporation of Western thought and industry into Japanese life. Natsume Sōseki 's (1867-1916) masterpiece, Kokoro (1914), is a powerful moral tale of a young man and his ‘Sensei’ (‘teacher’).
Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (1892-1927) came of age in Japan’s more cosmopolitan Taishō Era (1912-1926). An early disciple of Sōseki, in 1927 he wrote Kappa, an Alice in Wonderland-like tale which has been read variously as a children’s story and a satire of Japanese society.
Jun’ichirō Tanizaki (1886-1965) lived on for much of the Shōwa Era (1926-1989), which encompasses Japan’s pre-war militarisation, wartime catastrophe and post-war success. In The Makioka Sisters (1942-48), Tanizaki chose to write a nostalgic family saga about a narrow section of pre-war upper-middle class society.
While The Makioka Sisters reads almost like a classic English novel, nobel laureate Yasunari Kawabata’s (1899-1972) Snow Country (1935-1948) is as concise and evocative as a haiku poem, full of images of startling beauty, juxtaposition of opposites and tantalisingly obscure emotions.
What will we cover?
Biography: autobiographical elements in the novels; being a writer in Japan
Style: a blend of East and West; Japanese indirection and ‘obscurity’
Characters: tortured male souls; women of beauty and strength
Context: rapid change and Westernization; rich heritage and dying traditions
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Discuss the development of the Japanese novel 1900-1950 in an informed manner
Understand the autobiographical and contextual background to these works
Recognise the techniques and styles of some of the most important writers of the period
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
All you need is enthusiasm for reading and discussing literature and for listening to and respecting the views of others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The classes will be highly participatory and interactive, with a combination of group work, close reading exercises and class discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please buy a borrow a copy of the following, ideally in the stated editions:
Lewis Ward is a London-based teacher and editor. His PhD (University of Exeter) focused on history, memory and trauma in contemporary narratives. He has taught at four UK universities, covering most literary periods and genres along the way.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/japanese-literature-1900-19503055489Japanese Literature 1900-1950https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/literature-taster-poetry-hlt373-1080.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction/Courses/Online courses/Courses/vm/World culture/Courses/vm/East and Southeast Asia season22851177118711881731134081368312285117711871653<p>On this course we will study the development of Japanese literature in the first half of the 20th century through four great novels: Natsume Soseki’s <em>Kokoro</em>, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s <em>Kappa</em>, Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> and Yasunari Kawabata’s <em>Snow Country</em>.</p>003047257Japanese Literature 1900-1950239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/literature-taster-poetry-hlt373-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeFriOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-10-02T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT366239239Japanese Literature 1900-1950191155239Lewis Wardjapanese-literature-1900-1950/hlt366-2627<p>On this course we will study the development of Japanese literature in the first half of the 20th century through four great novels: Natsume Soseki’s <em>Kokoro</em>, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s <em>Kappa</em>, Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> and Yasunari Kawabata’s <em>Snow Country</em>.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-02 00:00:00<p>The period 1900-1950 in Japan spans three distinct Imperial eras - Meiji, Taishō and Shōwa, reflected in the literature of those times. </p><p>The Meiji Era (1868-1912) was one of rapid modernisation, especially through the incorporation of Western thought and industry into Japanese life. Natsume Sōseki 's (1867-1916) masterpiece, <em>Kokoro</em> (1914), is a powerful moral tale of a young man and his ‘Sensei’ (‘teacher’). </p><p>Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (1892-1927) came of age in Japan’s more cosmopolitan Taishō Era (1912-1926). An early disciple of Sōseki, in 1927 he wrote <em>Kappa</em>, an Alice in Wonderland-like tale which has been read variously as a children’s story and a satire of Japanese society.</p><p>Jun’ichirō Tanizaki (1886-1965) lived on for much of the Shōwa Era (1926-1989), which encompasses Japan’s pre-war militarisation, wartime catastrophe and post-war success. In <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> (1942-48), Tanizaki chose to write a nostalgic family saga about a narrow section of pre-war upper-middle class society.</p><p>While <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> reads almost like a classic English novel, nobel laureate Yasunari Kawabata’s (1899-1972) <em>Snow Country</em> (1935-1948) is as concise and evocative as a haiku poem, full of images of startling beauty, juxtaposition of opposites and tantalisingly obscure emotions.</p><p></p><p>On this course we will study the development of Japanese literature in the first half of the 20th century through four great novels: Natsume Soseki’s <em>Kokoro</em>, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s <em>Kappa</em>, Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> and Yasunari Kawabata’s <em>Snow Country</em>.</p><ul><li>Biography: autobiographical elements in the novels; being a writer in Japan</li><li>Style: a blend of East and West; Japanese indirection and ‘obscurity’</li><li>Characters: tortured male souls; women of beauty and strength</li><li>Context: rapid change and Westernization; rich heritage and dying traditions</li></ul><ul><li>Discuss the development of the Japanese novel 1900-1950 in an informed manner</li><li>Understand the autobiographical and contextual background to these works</li><li>Recognise the techniques and styles of some of the most important writers of the period</li></ul><p>All you need is enthusiasm for reading and discussing literature and for listening to and respecting the views of others.</p><p>The classes will be highly participatory and interactive, with a combination of group work, close reading exercises and class discussion.</p><p>Please buy a borrow a copy of the following, ideally in the stated editions:</p><ul><li>Natsume Sōseki, <em>Kokoro</em> (1914) (Penguin Classics)</li><li>Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, <em>Kappa</em> (1927) (Pushkin Classics)</li><li>Jun’ichirō Tanizaki, <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> (1948) (Vintage Classics)</li><li>Yasunari Kawabata, <em>Snow Country</em> (1948) (Penguin Modern Classics)</li></ul><p></p><p>For other fiction courses in the Literature programme, please see www.citylit.ac.uk under Culture, History, and Humanities.</p>LiteratureFictionvirtual191239155HLT366NONEFri02/10/26 - 20/11/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:308 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnlineLewis WardBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-10-02T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities239239Japanese Literature 1900-1950japanese-literature-1900-1950/hlt366-2627<p>On this course we will study the development of Japanese literature in the first half of the 20th century through four great novels: Natsume Soseki’s <em>Kokoro</em>, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s <em>Kappa</em>, Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> and Yasunari Kawabata’s <em>Snow Country</em>.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-02 00:00:00<p>The period 1900-1950 in Japan spans three distinct Imperial eras - Meiji, Taishō and Shōwa, reflected in the literature of those times. </p><p>The Meiji Era (1868-1912) was one of rapid modernisation, especially through the incorporation of Western thought and industry into Japanese life. Natsume Sōseki 's (1867-1916) masterpiece, <em>Kokoro</em> (1914), is a powerful moral tale of a young man and his ‘Sensei’ (‘teacher’). </p><p>Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (1892-1927) came of age in Japan’s more cosmopolitan Taishō Era (1912-1926). An early disciple of Sōseki, in 1927 he wrote <em>Kappa</em>, an Alice in Wonderland-like tale which has been read variously as a children’s story and a satire of Japanese society.</p><p>Jun’ichirō Tanizaki (1886-1965) lived on for much of the Shōwa Era (1926-1989), which encompasses Japan’s pre-war militarisation, wartime catastrophe and post-war success. In <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> (1942-48), Tanizaki chose to write a nostalgic family saga about a narrow section of pre-war upper-middle class society.</p><p>While <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> reads almost like a classic English novel, nobel laureate Yasunari Kawabata’s (1899-1972) <em>Snow Country</em> (1935-1948) is as concise and evocative as a haiku poem, full of images of startling beauty, juxtaposition of opposites and tantalisingly obscure emotions.</p><p></p><p>On this course we will study the development of Japanese literature in the first half of the 20th century through four great novels: Natsume Soseki’s <em>Kokoro</em>, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s <em>Kappa</em>, Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> and Yasunari Kawabata’s <em>Snow Country</em>.</p><ul><li>Biography: autobiographical elements in the novels; being a writer in Japan</li><li>Style: a blend of East and West; Japanese indirection and ‘obscurity’</li><li>Characters: tortured male souls; women of beauty and strength</li><li>Context: rapid change and Westernization; rich heritage and dying traditions</li></ul><ul><li>Discuss the development of the Japanese novel 1900-1950 in an informed manner</li><li>Understand the autobiographical and contextual background to these works</li><li>Recognise the techniques and styles of some of the most important writers of the period</li></ul><p>All you need is enthusiasm for reading and discussing literature and for listening to and respecting the views of others.</p><p>The classes will be highly participatory and interactive, with a combination of group work, close reading exercises and class discussion.</p><p>Please buy a borrow a copy of the following, ideally in the stated editions:</p><ul><li>Natsume Sōseki, <em>Kokoro</em> (1914) (Penguin Classics)</li><li>Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, <em>Kappa</em> (1927) (Pushkin Classics)</li><li>Jun’ichirō Tanizaki, <em>The Makioka Sisters</em> (1948) (Vintage Classics)</li><li>Yasunari Kawabata, <em>Snow Country</em> (1948) (Penguin Modern Classics)</li></ul><p></p><p>For other fiction courses in the Literature programme, please see www.citylit.ac.uk under Culture, History, and Humanities.</p>LiteratureFictionconfigurable
11881187Fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/fiction1/2/285/1177/1187/11881/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction
