Master’s (Doctoral) Program in Japanese Literature
The Department of Japanese Literature conducts research in Japanese literature (classic and modern literature), Japanese linguistics, and Chinese literature. Each of these three fields is deeply interconnected with one another, and research in one field requires knowledge and understanding of the others together with a comprehensive and diverse approach to the research. The curriculum of the Department of Japanese Literature is carefully structured to enable students to acquire comprehensive skills, and we have also adopted a policy of keeping this in mind in our research guidance.
Curriculum Features
The curriculum of the Master’s Program requires students to undertake in-depth research and study in their respective specializations and to actively participate in other areas as well. The master’s thesis will be reviewed by one primary examiner and two secondary examiners, and the oral examination by all faculty members.
In the Doctoral Program, students deepen and broaden their research under the guidance of their advisors, and have the opportunity for personal thesis guidance in addition to standard classroom learning. We emphasize the importance of Rigorous self-study to bring the results of the research to fruition, and expect students to develop a clear research plan and eventually write a doctoral dissertation. For this reason, they are required to publish at least two papers in academic journals during their enrollment.
Under this system of education and research, we are particularly focused on training researchers and Japanese language teachers and have produced qualified personnel. We are also actively engaged in international collaborative research, with faculty and graduate students presenting at international symposia held jointly with Pusan National University (Korea) in 2014 and 2019 and Fu Jen Catholic University (Taiwan) in 2017.
Granted Degree
- Master’s Program: MASTER OF ARTS IN JAPANESE LITERATURE
- Doctoral Program: DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN JAPANESE LITERATURE
Available Teaching Licenses and Subjects
- Junior High School Specialized Teacher (Japanese)
- High School Specialized Teacher (Japanese)
*Only Master’s degree programs are eligible for a teacher’s license. If you wish to obtain a teacher’s license, a Type 1 license should already have been obtained, or the requirements for obtaining a Type 1 license should have been fulfilled in advance for the subjects you wish to be licensed in. Otherwise, it is not possible.
Program Features
Characteristics of Japanese Literature
The study of Japanese literature is based on the accurate reading of the text, and from there proceeds to an understanding of the message of the literature, the cultural value of the work, and the significance of its existence. To carry out these studies from multidimensional perspectives, we also incorporate consideration of the historical process and the background of the philosophical aspect of the work, as well as comparative research with Chinese and Western literature.
To promote trans-disciplinary research, we encourage students, including first-semester graduate students, to study abroad and conduct in-depth research in the field of Japanese history, as well as in the fields of Eastern and Western history.
Characteristics of Japanese Linguistics
The study of Japanese language and linguistics focuses on the historical study of Japanese phonology, grammar, style, vocabulary, and orthography, and considers the Japanese language of each period, while also looking at Christian language, Dutch language, and English studies brought about by cultural exchange. In addition, the methodology of Japanese language research will be reexamined from an academic-historical perspective.
Characteristics of Chinese Literature
Based on the study of Chinese classics, we will look at the overarching theme of Chinese Literature, such as how Chinese classics were spread in Japan and what role they had in the development of Japanese literature. As is the case with classical Chinese studies, there will not be a clear demarcation between literature and philosophy; rather, they will be treated as a fused subject.
Student’s Participation in Journal Publication
Graduate students of the Department of Japanese Literature, together with faculty members of the Department and graduates of the Department of Japanese Literature, have organized the Sophia University Society of Japanese Literature, which has grown into a society with 700 members. The biannual conference is an excellent opportunity for graduate students to present their research. The journal “The Review of Japanese Literature” has already reached 56 issues and has gained a strong presence in the academic community. In addition, the Graduate School Monthly Meeting is regularly held as an opportunity for faculty and graduate students to participate, and for graduate students to proactively present their research and answer questions.
Selected Thesis Topics
- A Comparative Study of “Kiki-Kayō (Chronicle Songs)”
- A Study of the α Group and Quasi-Citations in the “Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan)”
- Autumn Breeze and Cricket: A Study of Nature-related Ideas in Manyoshu and the Reception and Transformation of Chinese Literature
- A Study on the Quotation of Phrases from the Japanese and Chinese Poetry Anthology in “The Tale of Genji”
- The Development of “The Tale of Genji” and Figurative Expressions Related to Character Formation: Through “Utsukushi” and “Rautashi”
- The “Senjou-Shou (Selected Works)” as Buddhist Discourse
- Theory of Oku Joruri “Tengu no Nairai” (The Inner Palace of the Tengu)
- Survey and Discussion of Various Issues in Saikaku’s Ukiyo Zoshi
- Words and Styles of Early “Yomi-Hon” Writers
- A Study of Masaoka Shiki’s Literary Theory
- Individual “Desires” and Society in Mori Ogai’s Works
- Aspects of “Nerves” in Soseki’s Literature
- The Literature of Toshiko Tamura: Sexuality and the Embracing “Body”
- On the Vocabulary “Nippo-Jisho (Japanese-Portuguese Dictionary)”
- The Significance of Ozaki Momiji’s Works in Literature of the Meiji Period
- The Formation of the “Kei-Go (Honorific Speech)” Consciousness in Modern Japan
- The Sense of “Ko-Kkei (huáji, ridicule)” in the “Book of Han”
- Dongpo Poetry Theory
- The Origin and Development of Ritokotan: With a Focus on “Ritokonki”
Selected Dissertation Topics
- Mid-Modern Literature and the White Tale Novel: Reconstructing the History of the Formation of the Early Readers.
- Development and Utilization Studies of Late Modern Tenioha Theory
- Contemporary Novels by Mori Ogai – A Study of Equality and Equal Rights
- A Study of the Formation of the Phases of the Chronicles of Japan – A Study of the Compilation Process from the Perspectives of Style, Wording, and Notes
- Study on the Structure of the Christian Version of “Nippo-Jisho (Japanese-Portuguese Dictionary)”
Educational Policies
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Master’s Program
The Master’s Program in Japanese Literature sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation as described below. Those
who fulfill the graduation requirements and pass the thesis defense shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma.1. Sophisticated knowledge, research abilities and teaching abilities in “Japanese Literature,” which comprehensively covers Japanese Linguistics, Old Literature, Modern Literature and Classical Chinese Literature, and the ability to contribute widely to society and the world
2. The ability to nurture the skills required as a teacher based on sophisticated knowledge, research abilities and teaching abilities in “Japanese Literature,” which comprehensively covers Japanese Language Studies, Old Literature, Modern Literature and Classical Chinese Literature
3. The ability to write a properly structured master’s thesis, relying on advanced knowledge and accurate analysis
Doctoral Program
The Doctoral Program in Japanese Literature sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation as described below. Those
who fulfill the graduation requirements and pass the dissertation defense shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma.- The ability to build on the skills acquired in the Master’s program and teach based on sophisticated knowledge, research skills and teaching skills in “Japanese Literature,” which comprehensively covers Japanese Language Studies, Old Literature, Modern Literature and Classical Chinese Literature
- The ability to build on the skills acquired in the Master’s program and contribute widely to society and the world based on sophisticated knowledge, research abilities and teaching abilities in “Japanese Literature,” which comprehensively covers Japanese Linguistics, Old Literature, Modern Literature and Classical Chinese Literature
- The ability to build on the skills acquired in the Master’s program and become an independent researcher who is eager to preserve, pass down and develop the traditions of Japanese literature and performs unique research activities based on sophisticated knowledge, research abilities and teaching abilities in “Japanese Literature,” which comprehensively covers Japanese Language Studies, Old Literature, Modern Literature and Classical Chinese Literature by further expanding on the abilities acquired in the Master’s program
- The ability to compile a doctoral thesis as an independent researcher, based on the results of oral presentations at academic meetings and the writing of academic papers
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Master’s Program
In accordance with the diploma policy, the Master’s Program in Japanese Literature encourages students to comprehensively pursue “Japanese Literature” with research and education rooted in classical literature studies; and thus constructs its curriculum as follows so that students will take Special Lectures and Seminars offered by this Master’s Program and courses on Japanese literature as seen from the world:
1. Offer Special Lecture/Seminar on Japanese Literature to pursue Japanese Literature studies with research and education rooted in classical literature studies.
2. Offer Special Lecture/Seminar on Classical Japanese Literature to pursue Classical Japanese Literature studies with research and education rooted in classical literature studies.
3. Offer Special Lecture/Seminar on Modern Japanese Literature to pursue Modern Japanese Literature studies with research and education rooted in classical literature studies.
4. Offer Special Lecture/Seminar on Chinese Literature to pursue Chinese Literature studies with research and education rooted in classical literature studies
5. Provide the research guidance required to compile a thesis based on comprehensive findings in Japanese Literature.
Doctoral Program
In accordance with the diploma policy, the Doctoral Program in Japanese Literature encourages students to comprehensively pursue “Japanese Literature” with research and education rooted in classical literature studies ; and thus constructs its curriculum as follows so that students will take Special Lectures and Seminars offered by this Doctoral Program and courses on Japanese literature as seen from the world:
1. Offer Special Studies in Japanese Literature to pursue Japanese Literature studies with research and education rooted in classical literature studies.
2. Offer Special Studies in Classical Japanese Literature to pursue Classical Japanese Literature studies with research and education rooted in classical literature studies.
3. Offer Special Studies in Modern Japanese Literature to pursue Modern Japanese Literature studies with research and education rooted in classical literature studies.
4. Offer Special Studies in Chinese Literature to pursue Chinese Literature studies with research and education rooted in classical literature studies
5. Provide the research guidance required to compile a dissertation based on comprehensive findings in Japanese Literature.
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Master’s Program
The Master’s Program in Japanese Literature seeks students with the following qualities:
1. Students who have comprehensively pursued research in Japanese Studies, Japanese Classics, Modern Literature and Chinese Literature by organically interlinking these fields, and have thus acquired knowledge of Japanese Literature as an academic discipline, and who seek to acquire a higher level of academic knowledge and skills in the Master’s Program in Japanese Literature at the Graduate School of Humanities, Sophia University in order to lead Japanese cultural studies2. Students who have acquired academic knowledge and skills equivalent to the above at other universities or departments and who seek to acquire a higher level of academic knowledge in the Master’s Program in Japanese Literature at the Graduate School of Humanities, Sophia University in order to lead Japanese cultural studies
3. Adults who have acquired academic knowledge and skills equivalent to the above at other universities or departments who seek to acquire a higher level of academic knowledge in the Master’s Program in Japanese Literature at the Graduate School of Humanities, Sophia University in order to lead Japanese cultural studies
Doctoral Program
The Doctoral Program in Japanese Literature seeks students with the following qualities:
1. Students who have comprehensively pursued Japanese Studies, Japanese Classics, Modern Literature and Chinese Literature by organically interlinking these fields, and have thus acquired knowledge of Japanese Literature as an academic discipline, and who seek to acquire a higher level of academic knowledge in the Master’s Program in Japanese Literature at the Graduate School of Humanities, Sophia University in order to lead Japanese cultural studies
2. Students who have acquired an equivalent level of academics at other universities or departments, and who seek to acquire a higher level of academic knowledge in the Master’s Program in Japanese Literature at the Graduate School of Humanities, Sophia University in order to lead Japanese cultural studies
Faculty Members
Masayuki SEMA Professor
Tatsuhiko FUKUI Professor
Youko MOTOHIRO Professor
Hiroshi KIMURA Associate Professor
Takuya FUKUI Assistant Professor