I didn't ask ChatGPT since for questions like this, it usually oversimplifies the answer in a way that doesn't truly "teach me" anything that wasn't already quite obvious, but I'll ask it now and see if it says anything useful.
Certainly, Japanese literature has its own unique set of literary devices that might differ from those in English. Here are some examples of lesser-known Japanese literary devices along with a brief explanation of each:
Mono no Aware (物の哀れ): This is a concept of appreciating the beauty of impermanence or the fleeting nature of things. It often involves a sense of sadness or melancholy over the transient nature of life and the world. This concept is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is often reflected in poetry and literature.
Kakekotoba (掛詞): This is a form of wordplay where a single word has multiple meanings or can be interpreted in different ways within the context of a sentence or poem. It adds layers of meaning and complexity to the text.
Yugen (幽玄): Yugen refers to a sense of mystery and depth that goes beyond what can be directly seen or expressed. It's often used in poetry to evoke a sense of awe and wonder about the universe and the human experience.
Karumi (軽み): Karumi translates to "lightness" and is a concept that emphasizes simplicity, spontaneity, and a lack of pretension in poetry. It often involves finding beauty in everyday moments and experiences.
Mitate (見立て): Mitate involves comparing something to another concept or object to create a new perspective. It's a way to make the ordinary seem extraordinary by linking it to something unexpected.
Ma (間): Ma refers to the concept of "negative space" or the intervals between objects. It's the idea that what's left unsaid or unexpressed can be just as important as what is said, creating a sense of tension and depth.
Kigo (季語): In traditional Japanese poetry, kigo are words or phrases associated with a specific season. They are used to evoke a particular atmosphere or mood related to the time of year.
Utamakura (歌枕): Utamakura are place names or words used as cues in traditional waka poetry. They evoke emotions and specific images associated with a particular location, adding layers of meaning to the poem.
Shasei (写生): Shasei is a concept of "sketching from life" or creating vivid and realistic descriptions by closely observing and accurately depicting the world around you. It's a form of detailed description that seeks to capture the essence of a scene.
Jo-ha-kyū (序破急): This concept is often used in traditional Japanese performing arts and literature. It involves a gradual progression from introduction (jo), development (ha), and climax (kyū). This structure can be seen in various art forms, including Noh plays and traditional musical compositions.
These are just a few examples of the unique literary devices found in Japanese literature. While some concepts might have similarities to those in English literature, they often carry distinct cultural nuances and contexts that make them a fascinating aspect of exploring Japanese literary works.
Not as bad as I thought, but I guess I'll have to manually research some of these.
I heard about もの哀れ already, but I didn't really consider that a literary device more than just a philosophy or view on life.
I didn't know there was a word for 掛詞 but I see that happening all the time （「傷を気付かなった」とか）so that's a pretty straightforward one as well.
幽玄 might be something new to me but I don't understand it from ChatGPT's vague explanation so I definitely need to research it.
軽み I also noticed from song lyrics and how many songs take you on a sensory journey through either regular life concepts or fantasy concepts using metaphors and such things.
見立て sounds interesting but I'll have to research it more as well since it sounds different than similes.
間 I already understood too just didn't know there was a name for it either.
季語 I didn't know about but sounds interesting and simple enough. I guess that's what songs like 桜桜 are based on.
歌枕 I think isn't something I'll be able to make use of in my works.
写生 is similar to the 軽み to me, and I also understand both of them pretty well, I also love Japan for it ^_^
序破急 might be too traditional for my style.
I guess overall it gave me a couple things to research and gave me names to attach to the concepts, so that was helpful at the very least. If anyone has other input on this topic I'd still like to hear it