La separazione degli amanti nello Utatane no sōshi. Il significato della dimensione onirica nella letteratura giapponese classica

In Heian (794-1185) and medieval (1185-1573) Japanese literature, the oneiric dimension is frequently depicted and creates a bond between distinct literary genres that appear in different ages. This article hence wants to show the continuity elements and the evolution of this trope in four works, in particular: some poems by Ono no Komachi (825-900) where lovers meet in a dream before being separated again in the real world; some passages of Genji monogatari (1008ca.) where dreaming mainly consists of spirit possessions and apparitions; the poem Haru no yo by Fujiwara no Teika (1162-1241), for here the “bridge of dreams” represents an unsteady connection between the lovers and strengthens the dichotomy between illusion and reality; lastly, Utatane no sōshi (XV) where the bridge becomes the expedient that allows the two lovers to meet in the real world, letting dreams and reality coincide. Considering Ono no Komachi and Genji monogatari's influence on future Japanese literature, and taking into account the literary affinities that concern the dream theme in the presented works, there is reason to believe that the presence of dreams in them constitutes a voluntary development of this trope in a play of references that creates a link with the past literary production while always adding an innovative element to it.