Philippine Literature During

the Japanese Occupation

A presentation by Group 5
 Brief History
• The arrival of the Japanese caused tremendous fear among Filipinos, and
their way of life was greatly affected.
 The Japanese Influence
• It maybe hard to believe but the Japanese had quite a positive influence on the
Philippine Literature
• Surprisingly unlike the Americans, they didn’t force their own language to be used by
the locals during their occupation. The Filipinos were given the freedom to use
Filipino or Japanese, if they wanted to.
• Due to their belief of cultural preservation and that American Culture is a danger to
other cultures, the Japanese officials banned the use of the English language in
literature.
 The Japanese Influence
• This spurred the promotion of the Filipino language as a medium for literature. All
newspapers and authors residing in the Philippines were forced to use Filipino in
writing literature.
• Their occupation also came with cons. Fearing the spread of propaganda and revolt,
they restricted the flow of opinions. The Filipinos’ Freedom of Speech was
suspended and only a few organizations and writers were authorized to publish their
works and spread it to their audience.
• Filipinos fear the “zoning” where in their freedom of speech and expression are taken
away.
 Emergence of Other Forms of Literature
• Haiku – poem of free verse of Japanese origin
• has 17 syllables divided into 3 lines
• First has 5 syllables, second has 7, and the third has 5 syllables
• Haiku features allegorical meaning, which usually covers a wide scope
• Favorite topics of haiku covers love, patriotism, friendship and human emotions.
• 2 subjects are separated by punctuation and unusual observation is made by
comparing the two subjects
 Example - Haiku
• Tagalog
Hila mo’y tabak, -5-
Ang bulaklak nanginig, -7-
Sa pag-lapit mo. -5-
 Example - Haiku
• English
Murakami kijo (1865-1938) – Japanese Author
First autumn morning: -5-
The mirror I stare into -7-
Shows my father’s face. -5-
 Tanka
• Tanka – meaning short song, modern name for ‘waka’ – Japanese song
• Similar to haiku, but Tanka poems have more syllables and uses similie,
metaphor and personification.
• Usually written about nature, season, love, sadness and strong emotions.
• 31 syllables, divided into 5 lines
• Following 5/7/5/7/7 pattern
 Example - Tanka
• Winter
Beautiful mountains, -5-
Rivers with cold, cold water, -7-
White cold snow on rock, -5-
Trees over the place with frost, -7-
White sparkly snow everywhere. -7-
 Example - Tanka
• Singkaw
Oh alipin ka, -5-
Ng dayuhang kultura, -7-
Singkaw ang dila, -5-
Oh, hindi makapalag, -7-
Oh, hindi makawala! -7-