How is Mount Fuji depicted in Japanese literary works such as the 'Manyoshu'?

Hello! Talking about Mount Fuji in Japanese literature is such a fascinating topic. In Japan, Fuji isn't just a mountain; it's more like a spiritual totem. Writers and poets across different eras have projected vastly different emotions onto it.

Let's start from the Manyoshu, as you mentioned.

1. The Initial Image: The Sacred, Majestic "Living Volcano" - The Manyoshu Era

The Manyoshu is Japan's oldest existing collection of poetry, dating from around the 7th to 8th centuries. The way people viewed Mount Fuji back then was completely different from how we see it on postcards today. To them, Fuji was a powerful and awe-inspiring god (Kami).

Imagine, in that era of limited technology, the immense visual and psychological impact a towering, snow-capped giant volcano, one that might erupt at any moment, would have. In the Manyoshu, Fuji's image is characterized by:

Incarnation of a God (Sacred Mountain): Poets didn't regard Fuji as an ordinary mountain but called it a "god" directly – a great entity protecting the land. One famous long poem depicts Fuji as "the living deity guarding Yamato (Japan)."
Unparalleled Loftiness and Grandeur: Poets used extravagant language to describe its height. For example, the famous short poem by Yamabe no Akahito:

From Tago-no-ura, I emerge and gaze: Pure white, truly pure white Are the lofty peaks of Fuji, Where everlasting snow has fallen.

The poem, while simple, conveys an instantaneous, pure visual shock. That vision of "pure white" (mashiro) was seen as a sacred symbol back then.

Yamabe no Akahito also wrote a longer poem pushing this reverence further. It claims Fuji is so high that "even the sun and moon detour around it, clouds dare not linger near," and its snow "never melts year-round." This elevates it beyond the natural into a nearly mythical realm.
Symbol of the Nation: As the most prominent landmark in eastern Japan, Fuji naturally became a symbol of the entire nation. It represented the majesty and tranquility of the land under imperial rule.

Simply put, in the Manyoshu, Fuji is a distant, majestic, awe-inspiring deity. People gazed up at it in admiration, but dared not approach it lightly.

2. The Evolution: From Myth to Art

Of course, the literary portrayal of Fuji was not static. Its image grew richer over time.

Heian Period (~9th-12th Century): A Stage for Myth and Legend During this time, Fuji began to be linked with religious tales and legends. The most famous is The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (the story of Princess Kaguya). In the ending, Kaguya leaves behind the elixir of immortality, but the Emperor deems immortality meaningless without her. He orders it burned on "the mountain closest to heaven" – Mount Fuji.

Interestingly, "Fuji" (富士) can be read as "Fushi" (不死 - immortality). This added connotations of "eternity" and a "fairyland" to Fuji. It was no longer just a majestic god; it became the setting for romantic legends.
Edo Period (~17th-19th Century): Embracing the Art of Daily Life By the Edo period, society was stable, travel became easier, and ordinary people could see Fuji. Fuji began to "descend from the altar" and became a favorite subject for artists.

The quintessential example is the haiku master Matsuo Basho. In his haiku, Fuji was no longer the lofty deity, but integrated into the scenery of seasons and journeys.

Northern blast Riding over Fuji, Carry my fan's hub some breeze! (More poetic sense: O bitter wind, bring the aura of Mount Fuji to this fan's core!)

See here? Fuji becomes more intimate, something whose "essence" can be sensed. It's linked to a traveler's fan and wintry winds, making it life-like and artistic. Around this time, ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai's Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji depicted Fuji's relationship with common people's lives from various angles, solidifying its image in the cultural consciousness.

3. Modern Times: Projections of Complex Emotions

By modern times, writers' perspectives on Fuji became even more nuanced. It remained a traditional Japanese symbol but could also represent heaviness or something needing re-examination.

For instance, the literary giant Osamu Dazai wrote a novel called One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji. Instead of simply praising Fuji, it describes the hardships and awkwardness of life at its foot. His Fuji is sometimes beautiful, but often contrasts ironically with the protagonist's wretched state.

"Oenotheras look best with Mount Fuji."

This line is famous, but Dazai places it in a context of poverty and absurdity. This Fuji is more like a silent observer, witnessing the joys, sorrows, and absurdities of modern life. It becomes a complex cultural symbol onto which everyone projects something different.

To Summarize

So, the image of Mount Fuji in Japanese literature underwent a very distinct evolution:

Ancient Times (Manyoshu): A majestic, sacred, inviolable deity/kami.
Early Medieval Times (Heian Period): A mythical stage imbued with mystery.
Early Modern Times (Edo Period): An artistic subject, integrated into life and full of beauty.
Modern Times: A cultural symbol carrying complex personal emotions and national reflection.

From gazing upon a god, to appreciating a landscape, to examining one's own heart, Mount Fuji acts like a mirror reflecting the spirit of each era in Japan. Hope this explanation gives you a clearer understanding!