Analysis of Female Images in the Diary Literature of the Heian Period: Taking Tosa Nikki as an Example
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Analysis of Female Images in the Diary Literature of the Heian Period: Taking Tosa Nikki as an Example

Hanning Ding 1*
1 Nantong University
*Corresponding author: 13964584559@163.com
Published on 11 July 2025
Volume Cover
LNEP Vol.106
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-253-9
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-254-6
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Abstract

This study takes the Tosa Nikki(The Tosa Diary) as the research object, analyzing the characteristics of the portrayal of female images in diary literature of the Heian period, exploring their epoch connotations and literary value. Through textual analysis, comparative research, and historical-cultural analysis, it reveals the three-dimensional image of the female protagonist in Tosa Nikki, the differences from the diary literature of the early and mid-to-late Heian period , as well as the unique status and value of Tosa Nikki within the diary literature of Heian period . The study shows that by adopting a female perspective, Tosa Nikki broke through the tradition of male diaries, endowing female literary with subjectivity and stimulating female creation in the mid-to-late periods, thus laying the foundation for the development of female literature. This study enriches the understanding of female literature in the Heian period and provides new perspectives and materials for the study of female literature during this period.

Keywords:

Tosa Nikki, Heian period, aristocratic female image, female literature

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Ding,H. (2025). Analysis of Female Images in the Diary Literature of the Heian Period: Taking Tosa Nikki as an Example. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,106,17-23.

References

[1]. Zhao Xiaobai. A Brief Analysis of Female Literature in the Heian Period of Japan and Its Causes [J]. Journal of Minzu University of China, 2003 (02): 115-119

[2]. Wu Ying. On the Contrastive Consciousness in Tosa Nikki [J]. Cultural and Educational Materials, 2011 (15): 17-19

[3]. Xu Chaoqun. The Differences between Two Types of Female Literature: The Heian Period in Japan and the Tang and Song Dynasties in China [J] Jin Gu Cultural Creativity, 2022 (42): 31-33

[4]. Ki no Tsurayuki. Tosa Nikki（Complete） [M]. Tokyo: Katsuyuki Kadokawa Publishing House, 2007

[5]. Wang Fang. A Preliminary Study on the Diaries of Male Nobles in the Heian Period of Japan [J]. Zhi CAI, 2015 (31): 220

[6]. Prince Chongming. Ribu Ōki [M]. Tokyo: Linchuan Bookstore, 1969.

[7]. Wang Yufei. A Brief Analysis of the Reasons for the Rise of Female Literature in the Heian Period from the Perspective of Historical Background [J] Popular Literature and Art, 2024 (10): 11-13

[8]. (Japanese)Fujiwara no Michitsuna no Haha: Kagerō Nikki, Translated and annotated by Chu Yongjuan, Qingdao Publishing House, 2022

[9]. (Japanese) Izumi Shikibu: Izumi Shikibu Nikki, Translated and annotated by Lin Wenyue, Yilin Press, 2014

[10]. (Japanese)Sugawara no Takasue no Musume: Sarashina Nikki , annotated by Akiyama Ken, Shinchosha, 1980

References

[1]. Zhao Xiaobai. A Brief Analysis of Female Literature in the Heian Period of Japan and Its Causes [J]. Journal of Minzu University of China, 2003 (02): 115-119

[2]. Wu Ying. On the Contrastive Consciousness in Tosa Nikki [J]. Cultural and Educational Materials, 2011 (15): 17-19

[3]. Xu Chaoqun. The Differences between Two Types of Female Literature: The Heian Period in Japan and the Tang and Song Dynasties in China [J] Jin Gu Cultural Creativity, 2022 (42): 31-33

[4]. Ki no Tsurayuki. Tosa Nikki（Complete） [M]. Tokyo: Katsuyuki Kadokawa Publishing House, 2007

[5]. Wang Fang. A Preliminary Study on the Diaries of Male Nobles in the Heian Period of Japan [J]. Zhi CAI, 2015 (31): 220

[6]. Prince Chongming. Ribu Ōki [M]. Tokyo: Linchuan Bookstore, 1969.

[7]. Wang Yufei. A Brief Analysis of the Reasons for the Rise of Female Literature in the Heian Period from the Perspective of Historical Background [J] Popular Literature and Art, 2024 (10): 11-13

[8]. (Japanese)Fujiwara no Michitsuna no Haha: Kagerō Nikki, Translated and annotated by Chu Yongjuan, Qingdao Publishing House, 2022

[9]. (Japanese) Izumi Shikibu: Izumi Shikibu Nikki, Translated and annotated by Lin Wenyue, Yilin Press, 2014

[10]. (Japanese)Sugawara no Takasue no Musume: Sarashina Nikki , annotated by Akiyama Ken, Shinchosha, 1980

Cite this article

Ding,H. (2025). Analysis of Female Images in the Diary Literature of the Heian Period: Taking Tosa Nikki as an Example. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,106,17-23.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICEIPI 2025 Symposium: AI Am Ready: Artificial Intelligence as Pedagogical Scaffold

ISBN: 978-1-80590-253-9(Print) / 978-1-80590-254-6(Online)
Editor: Kurt Buhring, Gregg S. Lloren
Conference website: https://2025.iceipi.org/Cebu.html
Conference date: 23 July 2025
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.106
ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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