Meaningful, but lacking in depth? Critical attitudes to Sinitic material in the Poetry Contest in Six Hundred Rounds
Status: This talk is in preparation - details may change
Status: This talk has been cancelled
This paper will present conclusions from research investigating the early mediaeval poetry competition, Roppyakuban uta’awase (‘Poetry Contest in 600 Rounds’, 1193-94) and the conflicting critical attitudes to material of Chinese origin expressed by the judge, Fujiwara no Shunzei (1114-1204), and one of the participants, the monk Kenshō (1130?-1209?), who composed an extensive Chinjō (‘Appeal’) against Shunzei’s criticisms of his work.

The two poets disagree over: the use of Chinese vocabulary in waka composition; intertextual references to kanshi (Chinese poems); and the significance of intertextual references to other Chinese literary-historical sources. An analysis of their statements reveals that their attitudes are both complex and, at times, contradictory, depending on the context and usage to which the Sinitic material is being put.

Co-convenors Juliana Buriticá Alzate, Jenny Guest, Hugh Whittaker
Date: 16 February 2023, 14:00 (Thursday, 5th week, Hilary 2023)
Venue: Pavilion Room, 4th Floor, Gateway Building, St. Antony's College
Speaker: Dr Thomas McAuley (University of Sheffield)
Organising department: Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies
Organiser: Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies
Organiser contact email address: administrator@nissan.ox.ac.uk
Part of: Nissan Institute Seminar in Japanese Studies
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Public
Editor: Jane Baker