In the poem by Kobayashi Issa, which theme is characteristic of Japanese literature during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries?

The theme of profound meaning in mundane details is characteristic of Japanese literature during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, particularly in works influenced by the haiku form, such as those by Kobayashi Issa. This period saw a shift towards appreciating everyday experiences and emotions, often through the lens of nature and simple observations.

In Issa's poetry, the focus on ordinary moments—such as the behavior of insects or the change of seasons—reveals deeper truths about life, existence, and the interconnectedness of all things. This aligns with the broader aesthetic values in Japanese literature, where finding significance in the ordinary highlights the beauty and complexity of human experience. Therefore, the emphasis on mundane details serves to illuminate larger philosophical insights, making it a central theme in literature of that era.