A Student's Exploration of Kibyoshi: Examination and Appreciation of the Literary GenreDue to the geographical location of Japan and China as well as the association between the two cultures, many early works of the Japanese literature has been heavily influenced by Chinese personalities and Chinese culture. Because of this intimate relationship between Japan and China, the majority of Japanese literary works until the end of the modern literary period (ending around 1868) were dominated by Chinese references and cultural figures. However, as Japan opened to the West, this dominance of Chinese literature and culture lessened as an influx of Western ideals transformed the Japanese literary scene into a fusion of East and West, a fusion that can still be observed today as it permeates many things. of Japanese popular culture and society. Although the dominance of Chinese culture and figures in Japanese literature has waned, its influence on early Japanese works can still be seen today, as authors still reference this affiliation and allude to the mixing of the two crops. From classic texts like The Tale of Genji to more modern volumes like Kin Kin Sensei and Thousand Arms of Goddess, Julienned, Japanese literature has not only developed on traditional Chinese kanji characters, but has also made reference to figures and specific traditions that were going to be incorporated into the whole. the identity of Japan as a whole. Because of this interrelationship between Chinese and Japanese literary works and culture, it is essential that readers have a solid understanding in order to fully appreciate the works of either culture. Varying in complexity, gaining in sophistication, and establishing its own uniqueness over time. ..... in the middle of the document ......is the age group and socio-economic class.References:1. Kraemer, David, The Reader Intended as the Key to Interpreting the Bavli, Prooftexts, Vol. 13, no. 2 (MAY 1993), pp. 125-1402. Iwanami Shoten, Kindai Seicho no Taido, Nihon Keizaishi 2 (Signs of Modern Development, Japanese Economic History vol. 2), H. Shimbo & O. Saito, eds., 1989.3. Oishi, Shinzaburo, Edo Jidai (The Edo period), Chuko Shinsho n°476, 1977.4. Saito, Osamu, Proto Kogyoka no Jidai (The Era of Proto-Industrialization), Nihon Hyoronsha, 1985.5. Simon Durant, ELH, Vol. 71, no. 2 (summer 2004), pp. 313-322 Kibyoshi References: 1. Murasaki Shikibu: newly published2. Kin Kin Sensei3. These familiar bestsellers4. Jiffy Shanks Response Documents distributed in poor taste: 1. Response Document #12. Response Document #2**Above Response Documents attached to the email as .jpg files