Editing Culture of Japan (section)

==Literature==
[[File:Kokin Wakashu Genei.jpg|thumb|right|{{transliteration|ja|[[Kokin Wakashū]]}}, an early anthology of the {{transliteration|ja|[[waka (poetry)|waka]]}} form of Japanese poetry, [[List of National Treasures of Japan (writings: Japanese books)|National Treasure]]; early twelfth century; at the [[Tokyo National Museum]]]]
{{Main|Japanese literature}}
Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and [[Chinese literature]], often written in [[Classical Chinese]]. Eventually, Japanese literature developed into a separate style in its own right as Japanese writers began writing their own works about Japan. ''[[The Tale of Genji]]'', written by [[Murasaki Shikibu]] during the [[Heian period]], is known worldwide as a unique Japanese literature. Since Japan reopened its ports to Western trading and diplomacy in the 19th century, Western and Eastern literature have strongly affected each other and continue to do so.