 Study of Influential Japanese Poet Yields Surprises
It's not quite a battle between samurai, but a Montana State University-Bozeman faculty member is taking on one of the most influential poets in the history of Japan.
Fujiwara Teika was so respected, he was god-like,
"He was a big gun, no doubt about it," added Brett Walker,
assistant professor of history.
Despite all that, Teika came to the point where he felt he had to
fashion his legacy for future generations, Atkins continued.
Before Teika's death in 1241, the poet became a spin doctor of
sorts, trying to shape later interpretations of his life, views
and achievements. After Teika's death, other poets and
playwrights forged his writings to give the impression that he
would have approved of the actions of the elite ruling class.
"My intention is not to demolish the myth of Teika, but to
elucidate it and explain the process (by which Teika became a
sacred presence)," Atkins said.
Is that possible? Can a scholar from Montana unveil the great
Teika without enraging the Japanese?
"There are things you can say about Japanese literature in
America that you really can't say in Japan," Atkins admitted.
"Even Japanese scholars know this."
But the Japanese are generally good-spirited about western
researchers studying their luminaries, Walker said. Outside
scholars can offer a fresh approach, and the fact that westerners
are interested in Teika legitimizes their view that he is
significant.
"Teika is a big figure. Paul's work will make an impact when
completed," Walker said.
Atkins said he hopes to fly to Japan this summer to continue
exploring the mountain of materials there about Teika. Someday,
he would also like to spend a year in Japan, so he can attend the
monthly meetings of a research group that is devotes its time to
reading Teika's diary. Understanding more about the diary would
be invaluable since the document covers 55 years and contains a
"treasure trove of information about the crucial late Heian-early
Kamakura period," Atkins said.
Atkins plans to write a book that will combine the two approaches
that scholars typically take to Teika's work. Some researchers
read Teika's diary and focus on his history. Others study Teika's
poetry and concentrate on its language and literary value.
"I want to study both," Atkins said.
Atkins, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., became interested in Japan
after moving to California to attend Stanford University.
Surrounded by people of Japanese descent, he became fascinated by
the culture. He eventually moved to Japan where he taught English
for two years and studied Japanese. He later returned to Japan to
study a traditional form of theatre known as the Noh Drama.
It was during his research that he became acquainted with Teika,
Atkins said. A "superb poet" who moved up through the poetic
hierarchy of Japan, Teika edited texts that are still used today.
He knew Japanese traditions so well, and his talents were so
great that he could write one line and his readers knew what he
meant. His views were so respected that he had a major impact on
the Japanese tea ceremony.
"Teika's work outshone even the immense achievements of his
father, and his descendants have not yet managed to match him.
... He was basically venerated as a god. He was a sacred
presence," Atkins said in a paper titled "The Ultimate Metaphor:
Misrepresentations in the Writings of Fujiwara Teika." Atkins
presented the paper in November at the Rocky Mountain/Southwest
Regional Japan Seminar in Tucson, Ariz.
Unmasking the medieval poet doesn't have to minimize his
contributions, Atkins emphasized. And even though Atkins appears
to be taking on Teika, the MSU scholar said he believes life and
art can be separated without diminishing the artist.
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