early japan

[clay dube]

Please read the attached selection "Regulations for Fitness Reports" and identify those "areas of excellence" that emulate Chinese ideas of how the empire should be run and the roles officials were to play.

[clay dube]

Sei Shonagon's diary is a wonderful way to launch discussions with students. What questions might you ask to guide students in reading these two selections?

[clay dube]

Described by many as the world's first novel. Murasaki's tale of the shining prince was written in about the year 1000. An excerpt is attached, but there are many excellent web resources to draw upon.

Pride of place must go to the wonderful Tale of Murasaki website created by Liza Dalby. It introduces the world of the Heian court, discussing clothes, make-up, relationships and a lot more.
http://www.lizadalby.com/LD/tale_of_murasaki.html

Dalby's own story is quite interesting. Be sure to click on the next button at the bottom of the page.
http://www.lizadalby.com/LD/liza_dalby.html

UNESCO - wood block prints and chapter summaries, click on the take away genji link for a concise summary of the mammoth novel.
http://webworld.unesco.org/genji/en/part_1/1-1.shtml

A scroll depicting the first fourth of the Tale of Genji
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~arth17/GenjiMonogatari.html

An example of a student project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiwCVbsRp0o

Guide to teaching the novel using a 1987 animated version of the story
http://www.aems.illinois.edu/publications/lessonplans/chalk/chalk_2.html

I've also attached two sample images of a 1654 version of the book. They come from the Library of Congress.
http://lcweb4.loc.gov/service/asian/asian0001/2005/2005html/20050415toc.html

[Anonymous]

Questions for students:
1. How did shotoku bring reform and unify the nation? 2. How was shotoku able to unify Japan and form a strong central government? 3. How was he able to spread Buddhism? 4. Did the spread of Buddhism influence the power of clan leaders? 5. Why did clan leaders oppose Buddhism? 6. How did Buddhism unite the country? 7. What cultural influence came to Japan from Korea? 8. What were the results of some of the diplomatic missions to China?

[Anonymous]

The Japanese attempted to copy the Chinese regulations for fitness reports. The merit based system from the fitness report is a something that can be discussed with students of all ages. I think this is a great conversation piece in the beginning of the year when setting up classroom rules. The four merits some of which include honesty,diligent service, sense of duty are all areas students can benefit from.

[Anonymous]

I read the information about 2nd century inhabitants of Japan as seen by the Chinese andIi found it fascinating. They used one of the scruffiest members of the community as a scapegoat on their voyages.this individual was forbidden to wash, comb or have contact with women.If the voyage was successful he was rewarded with gifts, if not he was sacrificed.It is also interesting that at a time when women all over the world had no share in ruling the world, in Japan a woman was the revered queen/priestess.at her death ,following a period of political unrest,the population chose another woman as their monarch
edited by scarjan on 5/22/2015

[Anonymous]

I started reading it and I would like to know more about everyday life in Heian Japan.There is no limit to what a prince of the imperial family can do.On the other hand, women must maintain a certain decorum to avoid tongues wagging.In spite of their freedom and strength, they have to hide behind a veil of social conventions.

[clay dube]

Hi Folks,
You can get a pdf version of my Japan presentation at the link below. It's over 9 mb. You can click on the webpage captures to visit the actual pages. The full presentation, including the video is over 100 mb and will take a long time to download.

Compressed: http://china.usc.edu/sites/default/files/article/attachments/dube-japan-origins-1800-small.pdf

Full (>100mb): http://china.usc.edu/sites/default/files/article/attachments/dube-japan-origins-1800.pdf

[Anonymous]

One of my friends recently visited some family in Japan and posted a photo from Kamakura, Japan saying "Largest Buddha in the World." Also seeing this in class on Saturday reminded me of it. I thought to myself, I don't think so! I've seen bigger. So it prompted me to look it up and do a FACT CHECK. Kind of funny what constitutes "the Largest." Is it sitting, standing, in sleeping position, bronze, wood, stone, indoors, outdoors? So Kamakura may have the largest sitting, bronze, outdoor Buddha in the world, which is very impressive, but there are others. I added a few links here...

TOP TEN Article/Pictures:
http://www.touropia.com/famous-buddha-statues/
YouTube Video: with locations and heights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BOmeJyrBR8

[Anonymous]

It is interesting that women were preferred as rulers for the stability they offered. Why is it that a few centuries later a woman's main virtue is resilience and discretion.?

[Anonymous]

These links are very helpful. In teaching 7th grade World History one of the standards mentions Prince Shotoku. This year when we read from the book it mentioned that he was the person who brought Chinese culture to Japan. The book says that he sent scholars to study all things Chinese, especially the arts. These supplementary resources are a great asset to me for next year.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

This reminds me of evaluations given to those in the the military. The use of words like merits and demerits seems very formal. I can understand why Imperial Chinese governments lasted so long. The system seems highly organized and regimented. I actually like the order and stability of this system but empathize with people who preferred to have more freedom.

[Anonymous]

I have heard from numerous academics and other sources that the Japanese people were of diverse origin which settled on the islands we now call Japan. These original thirty communities who lived on that island borrowed some of their cultural practices from Korea - which is normal given the geographical proximity to Korea. Since then, they have come into their own community with cultural practices that are distinctly beautiful and Japanese.

[Anonymous]

Rules and formulaic procedures were originally created to protect the emperor and his (or her) kingdom. Today, these procedures still exist in some formto protect the Chinese premier and the CCP.

[Anonymous]

On my fourth reading of "The Tale of Genji" it speaks to the machinations of court life in early Chinese history, but on a grander scale, it speaks to: unrequited love, jealousy, resentment, vindication, and redemption - all of which are part of the human condition. Students will comprehend all of the resources presented when using these tools as an introduction to Chinese history.

[Author]

Posts