Recluse literature

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Recluse Literature refers to a Japanese literary movement that rose to its peak in the late Heian period.[1][2]

History

The origins of the literary style known as Recluse Literature has roots in the

Pure Land Buddhism, became disillusioned with the standards and practices of government and everyday life, and instead chose to live on the outskirts of civilization in isolation. The practice of taking the tonsure (becoming a monk) after life in the Imperial court was not entirely new to Japan, but the concept of doing so and completely retreating from secular life into nature, as opposed to the many Buddhist monasteries around the capital, was considered a novel alternative to these newly disillusioned intellectuals. From this isolation, it was common practice for the recluse to focus his efforts on self-reflection, expressed through the arts such as poetry or the writing of zuihitsu
-styled essays.

Extent of isolation

While it was ultimately the goal of these disillusioned intellectuals to free themselves from the constraints of society, it was common for many to maintain ties with their closer friends who remained in the city and to occasionally spend time with others. Yoshida Kenkō, a famous Japanese recluse and author of

Essays in Idleness was known to maintain very close ties with members of the Ashikaga shogunate, suspending his isolation from time to time in order to visit such members in the capital. Kamo no Chomei, in his essay An Account of My Hut
, mentions spending time with a young child while living in isolation. While it was not necessarily the intent of these recluses to live their life entirely without human contact, it is important to note that the isolation of said individuals was not, in fact, complete.

Notable recluses

References

  1. ISBN 9781136613685
    .
  2. JSTOR 489694
    .
  3. JSTOR 133086
    .

Sources
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