Finding wisdom in East Asian classics / edited by Wm. Theodore de Bary.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

De Bary, Wm. Theodore, 1919-2017.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

East Asian literature--History and criticism.

East Asian literature.

Wisdom in literature.

Best books--East Asia.

Best books.

Canon (Literature).

East Asia.

Physical Description:

xvii, 418 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Columbia University Press, [2011]

Summary:

Finding Wisdom in East Asian Classics is an essential, all-access guide to the core texts of East Asian civilization and culture. Essays address frequently read, foundational texts in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese, as well as early modern fictional classics and nonfiction works of the seventeenth century. Building strong links between these writings and the critical traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, this volume shows the vital role of the classics in the shaping of Asian history and in the development of the humanities at large.

Wm. Theodore de Bary focuses on texts that have survived for centuries, if not millennia, through avid questioning and contestation. Recognized as perennial reflections on life and society, these works represent diverse historical periods and cultures and include the Analects of Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, Xunxi, the Lotus Sutra, Tang poetry, the Pillow Book, The Tale of Genji, and the writings of Chikamatsu and Kaibara Ekken. Contributors explain the core and most commonly understood aspects of these works and how they operate within their traditions. They trace their reach and reinvention throughout history and their ongoing relevance in modern life.

With fresh interpretations of familiar readings, these essays inspire renewed appreciation and examination. In the case of some classics open to multiple interpretations, de Bary chooses two complementary essays from different contributors. Expanding on debates concerning the challenges of teaching classics in the twenty-first century, several pieces speak to the value of Asia in the core curriculum. Indispensable for early scholarship on Asia and the evolution of global civilization, Finding Wisdom in East Asian Classics helps one master the major texts of human thought. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Asian Classics as the Great Books of the East / Wm. Theodore de Bary Bary, Wm. Theodore de 1

2 Asia in the Core Curriculum / Wm. Theodore de Bary Bary, Wm. Theodore de 30

3 Why We Read the Analects of Confucius / Wm. Theodore de Bary Bary, Wm. Theodore de 44

4 Mencius / Irene Bloom Bloom, Irene 57

5 Laozi / Franciscus Verellen Verellen, Franciscus 72

6 Zhuangzi / Paul Contino Contino, Paul 80

7 Xunzi / Wm. Theodore de Bary Bary, Wm. Theodore de 93

8 The Lotus Sutra / Wing-tsit Chan Chan, Wing-tsit 110

9 The Teaching of Vimalakirti / Robert A. F. Thurman Thurman, Robert A. F. 120

10(A) The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch / Philip Yampolsky Yampolsky, Philip 128

10(B) The Platform Sutra as a Chinese Classic / Wm. Theodore deBary deBary, Wm. Theodore 136

11 Tang Poetry: A Return to Basics / Burton Watson Watson, Burton 149

12 Journey to the West / C. T.Hsia T.Hsia, C. 159

13 A Dream of Red Mansions / C.T.Hsia 174

14 Zhu Xi and the Four Books / Wm. Theodore de Bary Bary, Wm. Theodore de 187

15 Waiting for the Dawn: Huang Zongxi's Critique of the Chinese Dynastic System / Wm. Theodore de Bary Bary, Wm. Theodore de 199

16(A) The Tale of Genji as a Japanese and World Classic / Haruo Shirane Shirane, Haruo 109

16(B) Passion and Poignancy in The Tale of Genji / Wm. Theodore de Bary Bary, Wm. Theodore de 220

17 The Pillow Book / Wm. Theodore de Bary Bary, Wm. Theodore de 231

18 Kamo no Chomei's "An Account of My Hut" / Paul Anderer Anderer, Paul 241

19 The Tale of the Heike / Paul Varley Varley, Paul 248

20(A) Kenko's Essays in Idleness / Donald Keene Keene, Donald 257

2O(B) Kenko and Montaigne in Tandem / James Mirollo Mirollo, James 265

21(A) The Poetry of Matsuo Basho / Haruo Shirane Shirane, Haruo 275

21(B) Matsuo Basho / Donald Keene Keene, Donald 287

22 Chikamatsu / Donald Keene Keene, Donald 301

23 Saikaku's Five Women Who Loved Love / Wm. Theodore de Bary Bary, Wm. Theodore de 310

24 Kaibara Ekken's Precepts for Daily Life in Japan / Mary Evelyn Tucker Tucker, Mary Evelyn 321

25 The Contemporary Meaning of T'oegye's Ten Diagrams on Sage Learning / Michael C. Kalton Kalton, Michael C. 335

26 The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong / JaHyun Kim Haboush Haboush, JaHyun Kim 352

27 The Song of the Faithful Wife Ch'unhyang / Rachel E. Chung Chung, Rachel E. 365

28 Reading and Teaching The Tale of Kieu / Conrad Schirokauer Schirokauer, Conrad 376.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780231153966

0231153961

9780231153973

023115397X

9780231527194

0231527195

OCLC:

693812398