Session 4 - The Performance of Power in Early Modern Japan

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Join us for the discussion session on Tuesday, 5/17 at 4pm PT on Zoom:

https://usc.zoom.us/j/93665449622?pwd=QXBNd1VMS2MvTXUvbDJvWGFVUStvZz09

Meeting ID: 936 6544 9622
Passcode: 597010

 

Lecture 1

 

 

Lecture 2

 

 

Discussion Questions

Week 4

Michael Laver, “A Whole New World (Order)”

-what are some notable examples of Japan’s global connections in the 16^th and 17^th centuries?

-do you buy the argument that the edicts to drastically restrict Japan’s borders represented control rather than a closing of Japan?

“Regulating Foreign Relations”

-what seems to be the primary concerns of these edicts?

-what are some specific examples of language that reveals the main targets of concern for the Tokugawa government?

Asia for Educators, “Noh Drama”

-what are the key characteristics of the Noh theater?

-why might this performance art have appealed to the samurai class?

“Noh Plays Database: Atsumori”

- does the summary of this play resonate with you in any fashion? If so, why and how?

-look up images, videos, or highlights from this play: what is your impress of this tradition?

Required Assignments and Readings

• Guns
• Fumi-e (image to be trampled upon)
• Porcelain dish (Nabeshima Ware)
• Noh mask
• Familiarize yourself with the Noh play "Atsumori"
  • "Noh drama," Asia for Educators
  • "Synopsis of Atsumori", The-Noh.com
• Constantine Vaporis, ed., Voices from Early Modern Japan (ABC Clio, 2012), chapter 17, "Regulating Foreign Relations," 95-100.
• Michael Laver, "A Whole New World (Order)," in Karl Friday ed., Japan Emerging (Westview Press, 2012), 331-341.

 

 

Attachments:

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[Jennifer Lee]

Here are the key characteristics of Noh.  See everyone at 8am Edo/Tokyo time tomorrow!

• Oldest surviving form of Japanese theater- combo of music, dance and acting
• Buddhist themes
• Often recreates famous scenes from well-known literature
• Extremely intense
• Simple stage to focus on characters
• Movements focus on the emotions (choreographed and often symbolic)
• Waki- secondary parts, observers

• Masks important, only worn by main characters

• Chorus- echo lines or speak for characters

• 4 musicians-3 drums, one flute (eerie whistle sounds)

 

[Rachel Knowles]

8 AM!!!

[Rachel Knowles]

The Fumi-E seems like such a theraputic way to get anger out. I have ripped up many ex-boyfriend pictures but not I feel that I should've trampled on them some too. 

I envision Noh theater to be captivating for the samurai, maybe because they could change who they are. The masks allow people to see wide emotions and the chorus allows the emotions to shine in a different way. It also tells the tales of heroic samurai so I can also picture samurai being excited to watch and emunate what they see as well as hoping to be like them some day. 

I think Japan used the edicts to definitely control westerners in their land. They kept trading with Korea and Ryukyu Islands (and then China by extension). As we discussed, the Bhuddist temples and land had a lot of power in Japan during this time. The limitations to the ships themselves could come from trying to control the pirates in the area.

[Kayla Kolean]

I have been to Ise Jingu when I lived in Japan. I did not know that these shrines were rebuilt every 20 years, but it totally makes sense. I remember thinking that this shrine was so new looking and large. This must be a very expensive endevour. This place was very large with shrines scattered throughout a olden forest with large cedar trees. Usually shrines in Japan are quiet small, especially compared with Buddhist Temples (like Todaiji Temple from last lecture). It struck me that there were large homes for spirits, and it was not an open exibit for people to walk though the homes, and all of them were fenced off, so you can look on from the outside of these buildings. 

Here is a wonderful resource on how to properly pray at these sites: https://www.isejingu.or.jp/en/pray/index.html

 

[Kayla Kolean]

I would like to create a resources like the Lecture 2 posted above to show students how many different aspects of Japanese culture can be tied to the Samurai and "Samurai Supremecy" during this early modern period.

• Specific clothing (surcoat, wearing two swords)
• Tea ceremony (way of socializing and showing off wealth)
• Noh Theater (masked actors with unique and highly regimented performance)
• Pottery and other Artisian product commissions (Mikawachi ware made by captured Korean artists and Japanese artists)

Can you think of any other things to add to this list?

[Author]

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