Basho and the Dao : The Zhuangzi and the Transformation of Haikai

Although __haiku__ is well known throughout the world, few outside Japan are familiar with its precursor, __haikai__ (comic linked verse). Fewer still are aware of the role played by the Chinese Daoist classics in turning __haikai__ into a respected literary art form. __Bashō and the Dao__ examines the __haikai__ poets’ adaptation of Daoist classics, particularly the __Zhuangzi,__ in the seventeenth century and the eventual transformation of __haikai__ from frivolous verse to high poetry. The author analyzes __haikai__’s encounter with the __Zhuangzi__ through its intertextual relations with the works of Bashō and other major __haikai__ poets, and also the nature and characteristics of __haikai__ that sustained the __Zhuangzi__’s relevance to __haikai__ poetic construction. She demonstrates how the __haikai__ poets’ interest in this Daoist work was rooted in the intersection of deconstructing and reconstructing the classical Japanese poetic tradition. Well versed in both Chinese and Japanese scholarship, Qiu explores the significance of Daoist ideas in Bashō’s and others’ conceptions of __haikai.__ Her method involves an extensive hermeneutic reading of __haikai__ texts, an in-depth analysis of the connection between Chinese and Japanese poetic terminology, and a comparison of Daoist traits in both traditions. The result is a penetrating study of key ideas that have been instrumental in defining and rediscovering the poetic essence of __haikai__ verse. __Bashō and the Dao__ adds to an increasingly vibrant area of academic inquiry—the complex literary and cultural relations between Japan and China in the early modern era. Researchers and students of East Asian literature, philosophy, and cultural criticism will find this book a valuable contribution to cross-cultural literary studies and comparative aesthetics. Although haiku is well known throughout the world, few outside Japan are familiar with its precursor, haikai (comic linked verse). Fewer still are aware of the role played by the Chinese Daoist classics in turning haikai into a respected literary art form. Bashō and the Dao examines the haikai poets’ adaptation of Daoist classics, particularly the Zhuangzi, in the seventeenth century and the eventual transformation of haikai from frivolous verse to high poetry. The author analyzes haikai ’s encounter with the Zhuangzi through its intertextual relations with the works of Bashō and other major haikai poets, and also the nature and characteristics of haikai that sustained the Zhuangzi ’s relevance to haikai poetic construction. She demonstrates how the haikai poets’ interest in this Daoist work was rooted in the intersection of deconstructing and reconstructing the classical Japanese poetic tradition. Well versed in both Chinese and Japanese scholarship, Qiu explores the significance of Daoist ideas in Bashō’s and others’ conceptions of haikai. Her method involves an extensive hermeneutic reading of haikai texts, an in-depth analysis of the connection between Chinese and Japanese poetic terminology, and a comparison of Daoist traits in both traditions. The result is a penetrating study of key ideas that have been instrumental in defining and rediscovering the poetic essence of haikai verse. Bashō and the Dao adds to an increasingly vibrant area of academic inquiry—the complex literary and cultural relations between Japan and China in the early modern era. Researchers and students of East Asian literature, philosophy, and cultural criticism will find this book a valuable contribution to cross-cultural literary studies and comparative aesthetics.

In this timely work, Liu Kang argues that globalization in China is both a historical condition in which the country's gaige kaifang (reform and opening up) has unfolded and a set of values or ideologies by which it and the rest of the globe are judged. Moreover, globalization signals a significant ascendancy of culture. Liu examines China's current ideological struggles in political discourse, intellectual debate, popular culture, avant-garde literature, the news media, and the internet. With careful textual analysis and observation informed by critical theories and cultural studies, he offers a forceful critique of the Chinese version of globalism that privileges economic development at the expense of social justice and equality.

Contents Foreword Acknowledgments General Notes Introduction Chapter 1. Encountering the Zhuangzi Chapter 2. From Falsehood to Sincerity Chapter 3 .Bashô’s Fûkyô and the Spirit of Shôyôyû Chapter 4. Bashô’s Fûryû and Daoist Traits in Chinese Poetry Chapter 5. Following Zôka and Returning to Zôka Epilogue Notes Glossary Selected Bibliography Index of Haikai Verses Cited Index About the Author "Basho and the Dao adds to an increasingly vibrant area of academic inquiry - the complex literary and cultural relations between Japan and China in the early modern era. Researchers and students of East Asian literature, philosophy, and cultural criticism will find this book a valuable contribution to cross-cultural literary studies and comparative aesthetics."--BOOK JACKET.