Session 1 - June 16

[Miguel Diaz]

The chapter from the book titled Sources of Japanese tradition (Chapter 1) raised many interesting points.

“They smear their bodies with pink and scarlet, just as the Chinese use powder.”

Questions: I’d like to know more about why the Japanese smeared their bodies with pink and scarlet. I’d also like to know why the Chinese used powder.

“Whenever they undertake an enterprise or a journey and discussion arises, they bake bones and divine in order to tell whether fortune will be good or bad. First they announce the object of divination, using the same manner of speech as in tortoise shell divination; then they examine the cracks made by fire and tell what is to come to pass.”

Questions: I’d like to know if the ancient Japanese imported such methods of devination from the continent (China and/or Korea) or if they independently started such practices on their own.

“The country formerly had a man as ruler. For some seventy or eighty years after that there were disturbances and warfare. Thereupon the people agreed upon a woman for their ruler. Her name was Pimiko. She occupied herself with magic and sorcery, bewitching the people.”

Questions: like the more about Pimiko. Are there any records about her life beyond those which were kept by ancient Chinese scholars?

[Shuang Yang]

In my Chinese language classes, I have culture units that focus on certain aspects of Chinese culture to help students understand the history and traditions behind the language. Students always love culture units because it is fun and interesting. In one of the units we talk about Terra-cotta warriors in Xi’an. After learning Japanese Haniwa figures in this lecture, I am planning to use it in my culture unit, introduce both to my students and ask them to compare. I think this will broaden their knowledge about history and the link between Japanese and Chinese language/ culture.

[Ying Yu]

The Jomon period began approximately 13,000 years B. C. Jomon Culture is similar to other cultures in the world. I wonder why so many countries have similar pottery areas. The excavation of Japan helps the world understand Japanese history better. How did Japanese people make pottery in history? Could the technology be influence by the mainland? From the lecture, I also realized that the people who were living in Jomon culture is different from the main Japanese people later. Those Jomon people maybe the native Japanese People. 

I can take my students to have a video trip through the Internet. The Japanese map, located in a specific place, shows the potteries representing history. This is the beginning Journey of Japan's history. Similar to the beginnings of other cultures.

[Ying Yu]

From lecture 2, we can see that the Japanese society improved throughtout the time period. By the influence from mainland, Japanese peopel improve their technology skills. Those wood buildings from the video are so impressive. They built a community which was so well-designed that can protect them from intrude.

[Katharine Davis]

I've realized that I neglected to post on this first pair of lecture videos, which is kind of crazy because Jomon pottery and haniwa are two of my favorite art objects found in Japan.

I found the information regarding the decorative nature of the Jomon pots to be especially interesting. Since pots are typically more functional in ancient civilizations, it was very interesting to listen to some of the speculations on why the pots were so extravagantly decorated.

I was also fascinated by the information about the broken doguu statues. The fact that so many were found broken (seemingly on purpose) and then buried (again, on purpose? How can we tell they were buried, versus simply being found in the ground?) certainly shows that there was some significance in the breaking and separating these figures. It would be fun to speculate with students on the meaning behind this custom!

[Deirdre Harris]

I loved learning how as Miguel mentions above how geography played a large role in the development of Japan.  How they were isolated just enough from China and Korea to develop their own seperate identity, but close enough to share in many things like the development of their writing system.  But instead of using characters, Japan used their characters as sounds, similar to the way we use our alphabet.  Their geography also played a role in their strategies when having to defend themselves.  They became good at fighting using the surrounding water, because they were an island nation.  They also were influenced by surrounded countries in early food preparation, pottery-making and other arts out of necessity.  I loved the photos of the pottery, and the connections made by Professor Pitelka himself.  How exciting to have a real expert to learn from.  Thank you.

[Deirdre Harris]

Hi David,

I saw here that you were looking for a possible resource to share with your students about the Four Seasons in Japan.  I was jumping around and found this:

https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0000283/

 

It's got written information from each season, with photographs, along with good information about each season.  In addition, it also offers a list of some of the celebrations and events that are held in each of those seasons.  Lastly, it has some data on weather patterns presented in a kid-friendly way to see the weather patterns in more of a scientific way.  It's not super long, but is of good quality I think.  I think it could be used for my 4th graders, as well as most other students.  Hope this is helpful.  

[Ying Yu]

The Jomon period is similar to other early cultures in the history. I want to compare the history of Jomon culture to other similar cultures to make a presentation to my students. That would inspire them to find the universal connections between different cultures

[Ying Yu]

Geography in Japan is a wonderful topic for me to know Japan better! I didn't realize the three movements of mainland people to form the main population of Japan.

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