A Student's Exploration of Kibyoshi: An Examination and Appreciation of the Literary Genre Due to the geographic location of Japan and China and the association between both cultures, many of the former Works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by Chinese figures and Chinese culture. Because of this intimate relationship between Japan and China, most Japanese literary works until the end of the early modern literary period (ending around 1868) were dominated by Chinese cultural references and figures. However, during Japan's opening to the West, this dominance of Chinese literature and culture was reduced as an influx of Western ideals transformed the Japanese literary scene into a fusion of East and West, a fusion that can still be seen today as permeates much of the Japanese literary scene. of popular culture and Japanese society. Although the dominance of Chinese culture and figures in Japanese literature has faded, the influence it had on early Japanese works can still be observed today as authors still reference this affiliation and allude to the mixing of the two cultures. 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 expanded on traditional Chinese kanji characters, but also referenced specific figures and traditions that would then incorporated into the whole. identity of Japan as a whole. Because of this interrelationship between literary works and Chinese and Japanese culture, it is essential that readers have a solid understanding to fully appreciate works from both cultures. Varying in complexity, acquiring sophistication and establishing its uniqueness over time. ..... in the center of the sheet ...... is the age group and socioeconomic class. References:1. Kraemer, David, The Intended Reader as a 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 and 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 Protoindustrialization), Nihon Hyoronsha, 1985.5. Simon Durante, ELH, vol. 71, no. 2 (summer 2004), pp. 313-322 Kibyoshi References:1. Murasaki Shikibu: just released2. Kin Kin Sensei3. Those familiar bestsellers4. Jiffy Shanks disgustingly distributedResponse documents used:1. Response document no. 12. Response document no. 2**Above the response documents attached to the email as a .jpg file