Kajii Motojiro 梶井基次郎 "Lemon" 檸檬

Warm-up questions:

1. Have you ever done something spontaneous?

2. Have you ever suffered from writer's block?

3. Do you like following popular trends 流行り or are you more interested in indie culture サブカル?

Reading Analysis Questions:

1. What is the "ominous mass 不吉な塊" that the narrator describes?

2. What things does the narrator find oppressive? What things bring him pleasure and satisfaction? Why do you think this? What does this tell us about the narrator?

3. What is the significance of the narrator placing a lemon atop books at Maruzen? Why does the do it and why is it liberating for the narrator?

4. Discuss the subjects of painting, art, and color in the story. What might they be symbols / metaphors for?

Akutagawa Ryūnosuke 芥川龍之介 "In a Grove" 藪の中

Warm-up questions:

1. Have you ever lied? 

2. What are some reasons that people might lie?

3. Can people generally be trusted?

Reading Analysis Questions

1. What do you think really happened? Is it possible to ascertain the truth of events from these accounts? Why or why not?

2. What kinds of contradictory evidence and statements do the characters give?

3. What reasons do you think the characters might have to HIDE the truth or to LIE in their testimonies?

4. Which account do you think is most believable and/or trustworthy?

5. How would you explain the last lines/scene in the story? Who comes up to the man and why do they pull the sword out of his chest?

6. What metaphors/symbols/subjects did you notice in the story?

7. Is objective truth possible? Is everything relative? Is Akutagawa perhaps just talking about fiction and believability?

Natsume Soseki 夏目漱石 "The Third Night" 第三夜

Warm-up questions:

1. Have you ever had a strange dream? Talk about it.

2. Do you think dreams have meanings? Why do we dream?

3. Are you superstitious?

Reading Analysis Questions:

1. Describe the plot of the story. What is the story's climactic secret that is eventually revealed at the end?

2. Describe the story's use of foreshadowing.

3. Describe the story's use of symbolism and metaphor.

4. Who is the child in the story, and what does he represent? Why does he call the narrator "father"? Why does he get heavier as the story goes on? What happens to him at the end of the story?

5. Why does the narrator want to get rid of the child on his back? Does the narrator know the truth of what happened (and who the child really is) before the end of the story?

6. When and where does this story take place?

7. What are some of the subjects and themes of the story?

Higuchi Ichiyo 樋口一葉 "Separate Ways" わかれ道

Warm-up questions:

1. Have you ever faced economic hardships?

2. What kind of issues do women in Japanese society face today?

3. Talk about racial, economic, and other forms of discrimination in Japanese society.

Reading Analysis Questions:

1. Discuss the notion of 出世 in the story. Does it have positive or negative connotations? How does it affect Kichizo and Okyo's actions and fate?

2. Discuss the roles of class, poverty, and gender in the story. How do these things influence the characters' actions and their relationship with each other?

3. Talk about the story and its themes, especially relating to the subject of poverty, in the historical context of the Meiji Era. (e.g. use of the word 非人). How do Meiji ideals conflict with reality for the characters?

4. Why do Kichizo and Okyo feel differently at the end? Who do you agree and/or identify with more? Who do you think is right in this case? Are the characters acting selfishly as Kichizo says of Okyo, or are they motivated by other concerns?

5. What would you have done if you were in Okyo's position? Does she actually have a choice in the matter? (Note that she says she doesn't, whereas Kichizo says that she does).

Mori Ogai 森鴎外 "Sansho the Steward" 山椒大夫

Warm-up questions:

1. Is the law and/or authority figures (police, etc.) sometimes wrong?

2. Are people generally good 性善説? Why or why not?

3. What should we do when we confront injustice?

Reading Analysis Questions:

1. How does the story portray social hierarchies and class relations? How does this influence the character's actions and the overall plot of the story?

2. Discuss some of the main subjects and themes of the story.

3. Discuss the subject of "fate" (or "destiny" 運命) in the text. How do the characters respond to "fate"? How does this influence their actions? Why do you think they behave this way?

4. What is the significance of religion and religious objects or symbolism such as the jizo amulet? How do the characters view religion? Why do you think the text portrays religion in this way?

5. Talk about Anju's "transformation" after the dream scene. (E.g. "Anju's whole being seemed altogether changed" (16)). Why does she change? What does her transformation mean and/or what is it supposed to symbolize?

6. Talk about the ending of the story. What happens to Anju? To Zushio? What do you think about this?

7. Discuss Zushio's transformation into Masamichi. What actions does he take in his new role? Why do you think he does this?

8. Mori Ōgai rewrote this story based on a much older setsuwa tale. However, he changed some parts. How might Ōgai have changed this story and updated it to fit his current situation in Meiji?

Hirabayashi Taiko, "Blind Chinese Soldiers" 平林たい子「盲中国兵」

Warm-up questions:

1. Why are people sometimes indifferent to the suffering of others?

2. Talk about class in Japan. What is its structure and how does it manifest itself?

3. What can literature tell us about war?

4. Are we responsible for past (war) crimes?

Reading analysis questions:

1. What is the historical significance of the story taking place on March 9, 1945? What meaning do you think this has for the story?

2. What is the meaning of the train station attendant drawing white lines on the platform?

3. Consider the organization of the train. How is it arranged? Who is that the front, middle, and back? What might the train be a metaphor for?

4. Who are the blind Chinese soldiers? How does the text describe them? Why do you think they are depicted in this way?

5. Describe the reactions of the Japanese passengers to the blind Chinese soldiers. What is the significance and/or meaning(s) of these reactions?

6. The Japanese in the story seem unclear about the details of the Chinese soldiers. What is the meaning of their conversation on the middle of p.185 in the text. How does the narrator evaluate this? What is the significance/meaning of this?

7. Describe the last scene on p.186. What is the meaning/significance of this? What symbolism is used in this passage?

Transition words and phrases practice

This is an exercise worksheet (link also in the graphic) to practice transition words and phrases for essay writing. The subject of the worksheet is climate change in Japan. This activity can be used in tandem with the blog post "Speaking and writing practice: contemporary issues" on this blog. 

Enchi Fumiko 円地文子, "The Flower-Eating Crone" 「花食い姥」

Reading Analysis Questions

1. What do flowers represent in the story? Support your idea with examples from the text.

2. Who is the flower-eating crone? What does she represent and why does she eat flowers? 

3. What does the text say and/or imply about desire? What does the text say/imply about the relationship between old age, memory, and desire?

4. Describe the scene where the narrator is reminded of letters that she once wrote to a man. What significance does this scene have for the rest of the story?

5. When (where) does the scene in the park (p.178) take place? Who is the man that talks to her in the park?

6. What do you make of the exchange between the young man and the narrator at the end of the story? What might be the significance of this?

  

7. What do you think about the roles of art and literature in the text? Describe the roles of mediation and representation vis-a-vis its relationship to the actual object (e.g. object of desire, human emotions, etc.).

(A Christmas cactus; from nature-and-garden.com)

Speaking and writing practice: contemporary issues

Speaking and writing practice: contemporary issues

General instructions:
Answer the following questions below in as much detail as possible. Structure your response in the following manner: clearly stated opinion → reason(s) → evidence and examples.

Speaking instructions:

Take one minute to think and prepare your response before answering. Next, you should speak for approximately 1-2 minutes in your response.

Writing instructions:

Choose one question to answer in detail. Your written response should be approximately 300 words and should be completed within 30 minutes. As a general rule, responses should consist of four paragraphs: 1) the introduction which introduces the problem and clearly states your opinion and/or general argument, 2) reason 1 paragraph which discusses your first reason, 3) reason 2 paragraph, and 4) concluding paragraph in which you restate your main argument or opinion. Note also that each reason should be supported by details and evidence, and assisted by phrases such as "for example." You should also make use of transition phrases such as "however," "moreover," and "at the same time." 

**Example essays:

A. Example Problem Solution Essay

General questions:

1. Discuss one social problem in contemporary Japanese society. You may write your essay in either problem-solution or argumentative-opinion format. 

2. Some people say education provides the foundation for the development of a country and thus should be free. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? (Kono 2016: 103)

3. Students today can easily access information online and conduct research without leaving the room or opening a book. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? (Kono: 103)

4. Using social media, people today can always be connected to other people. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of this development? (Kono: 104)

5. Some people think working hard is the way to success and beneficial for society as a whole. Others believe that people should work as little as possible. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. (Kono: 104)

6. Recently fewer and fewer university students are choosing to major in the humanities. Why is this happening? What can be done to increase the number of humanities majors? (Kono: 104)

7. What changes do you think we will see over the next 100 years? Use examples and details in your answer. (Kawate-Mierzejewska and Mierzejewski 2015: 66)

Questions:

1. Global warming is one of the most serious problems facing humanity. What is global warming and why is it happening? What can be done to prevent it from getting worse? (Problem-solution)

2. Poverty and inequality are serious issues. Why is there poverty in the world? Can poverty be eliminated entirely? What steps could be taken to alleviate poverty and inequality, both in Japan and globally? (Problem-solution)

3. What are some causes of the labor shortage in Japan. What steps are being taken to address this problem? Do you think that current efforts are proper and sufficient? What additional solutions might there be to the labor shortage? (Problem-solution)

4. Japanese workers work longer hours than workers in most other developed nations. What are some problems of overwork in Japan? What are the causes of overwork? What steps could be taken to alleviate problems of overwork and/or to improve working conditions in general? (Problem-solution)

5. In what ways are gender discrimination and sexual harassment problems in Japan? Discuss one issue in particular and its causes. What are some potential solutions to this problem? (Problem-solution)

6. Is racism an issue in Japan? Why or why not? Can you think of any groups of people who might be discriminated against because of their race/nationality in Japan? Are people granted equal rights regardless of race/nationality in Japan or are they treated differently? (Argumentative-opinion)

7. Japan is one of the fifty-three countries in the world to use the death penalty. What do you think about the death penalty? Do you think it is necessary in some cases, or do you think it should be abolished? Is it an effective form of punishment? What are your other thoughts on the criminal justice system in Japan, and how do you think it could be reformed or improved? (Argumentative-opinion)

8. The issue of whether to revise Article 9 of the Japanese constitution is debated. Some people think that the constitution should be revised to allow Japan to have a military and be able to go to war. Others think that Article 9 should be protected, and that Japan should not have a military but rather remain a peaceful, or neutral country. Yet others still point to the fact that Japan has the Self Defense Forces, which are already like a military anyway. What do you think about revising the Japanese constitution? Should Article 9 be revised or kept the same and why/why not? (Argumentative-opinion)

9. Talk about the problem of bullying in Japanese schools. What kinds of bullying is common? Why is bullying an issue? Where does it come from and what are some of the causes? What can be done to protect children from being bullied?  (Problem-solution)

10. The Japanese government is frequently seen as not having sufficiently apologized for war crimes committed by Japanese troops in the Asia-Pacific War (1931-1945). Moreover, disagreement over how to resolve issues relating to the comfort women, forced Asian laborers, and atrocities like the Nanking Massacre are often a source of friction between Japan and its regional neighbors, especially Korea and China. What are some of the causes of these problems and what could be done to improve relations and mutual understanding on the issues? (Problem-solution)

11. Japan generally suffers from low voter turnout, especially among youth. What are some of the causes (and negative effects) of low political interest and voter turnout?  What steps could be taken to improve interest in politics and voter turnout? (Problem-solution)

12. Japan has a slowly declining birthrate which is expected to drop further in the future. Despite this, many parents are unable to get their children into daycare and kindergarten facilities due to too many people on the waiting list and not enough available slots for children to get in (i.e. 待機児童問題). What could be done to solve this problem? (Problem-solution)

13. The Japanese government recently raised the consumption tax from 8% to 10% (2019.11). Moreover, the government has plans to raise the consumption tax even further after this. Do you agree or disagree with raising the consumption tax? (Agree-disagree)

14. Many Japanese communities are trying to boost their local economies via increased tourism. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? (Agree-disagree)

15. Since the March 2011 nuclear disaster at Fukushima, there has been fierce debate in Japan over whether to restart stalled nuclear reactors. Some argue that nuclear power is necessary in order to meet Japan's energy demands. Others disagree, pointing to the fact that Japan has already been meeting these demands with other sources. What is your opinion on this issue? Should Japan continue to rely on nuclear power or not? (Argumentative-opinion)

16. Do you think that Japan is an environmentally friendly country? Why or why not? Support your answer with reasons and examples. (Argumentative-opinion)

17. For much of the global economy, Japan included, it seems to be taken for granted that economic growth is always a good thing and should be a goal in and of itself. But is this really the case? Is economic growth really a good thing? Argue for or against the position of economic growth, and support your idea with examples. (Argumentative-opinion)

18. Japan faces serious threats from climate change. What are some of these negative effects and/or their root causes? What could the Japanese government do to prevent climate change from getting worse, and to strengthen its communities against the negative effects of climate change? (Problem-solution)

Hayashi Fumiko 林芙美子, "The Accordion and the Fish Town" 風琴と魚の町

Warm-up questions:

1. Have you ever moved to a new place?

2. Have you ever had trouble fitting in?

3. How does education help people?

4. Can people change their status/position in society?

Reading analysis questions:

1) Describe the role of the first paragraph. How does it introduce the characters, the most important subjects and themes, and complications?

2) What does the second paragraph tell us about the setting of the story, the historical background, and other possible subjects?

3) Describe the scenes of poverty in the second section. How does this influence the character’s actions and their general situation?

4) Describe the scenes of the town, especially in the third section. What kind of town is it? What are the professions of the people that work there? What do you imagine life must be like for them? In terms of class, how do the main characters compare to the villagers?

5) What is the father’s job? What do we know about his past, and how might this influence the family’s current fortunes? How might the father’s job relate to why they are unable to stay in one place for very long?

6) Talk about the older couple who lives downstairs from them (section six). What happened to them that forced them to live in poverty? What do their experiences reveal about the story’s views on class, poverty, and crime?

7) How do the characters and society in general relate to outsiders?

8) What is the father arrested for in the final scenes? How is he treated at the police station, and why is this the case?

9) What do you think of the ending? How might things eventually turn out for the characters?

10) What kind of social critique does the story present? What are the story’s views on class, poverty, crime, and education?

11) What subjects, themes, and metaphors did you notice in the story?

短編の日本語版、「風琴と魚の町」は青空文庫にて。