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AnonymousWow, the last writer presents some interesting examples of self-mutilation for cosmetic purposes in differerent places and times. We might also add for our students who see these and footbinging as bizzare behavior, the current trends: from tatooing, which is not a pleasant experience, to pierced lips, tongues, and various other parts of the human body. None of these are done for practical purposes, all come with varying degrees of pain, and many of them come with possible hazards to people's health. Of course, as the writer mentioned, the popularity of plastic surgery is also a trend that students are familiar with and have generally accepted as "normal." Even smoking and taking drugs might fit into this category, since it is often done for the approval of others, though the often serious physical effects start off mainly inside the body, and begin to affect the outside appearances only after continued use (yellowed teeth, excessive weight loss, sallow skin, discolored eyes, etc.) Yes, as Swift corrected Pascal, humans are animals capable of reason, though this may not often be readily apparent in their actions.[Edit by="sperez on Mar 26, 12:35:56 AM"][/Edit]
AnonymousI found this interesting article regarding footbinding and then realized that it was by the UCLA Asia Institute. I feel that there is valuable inforatmion and resources at this site.
http://www.international.ucla.edu/shenzhen/2002ncta/miles/
There are lesson ideas given which we can use in our classrooms.
It would interesting to compare the notions of beauty in various societies around the world and what people would put themselves through to reach this ideal.
Perhaps we could even compare what women do today in order to reach our societies notion of beauty. In this, students could understand how society today puts unfair notions of beauty into the heads of its people. (Can lead to anorexia, bulimia, plastic surgery, etc.)
Maybe students would understand that even though this concept of footbinding seems horrible and foreign..... How in actuality, cultures are not so different after all in making beauty an unreasonable goal.
AnonymousRebuttal to a recent posting citing "the current trends: from tatooing, which is not a pleasant experience, to pierced lips, tongues, and various other parts of the human body. None of these are done for practical purposes"
This is a very subjective issue as people find it difficult to put aside their own notions, whether personal/cultural, of what is right/wrong, good/bad. Here are some things to consider regarding a widely held belief that body modification is an oft-perceived wreckless act which does not offer practical purposes. It offers the following benefits.
- identity/beauty/acceptance (African tribal scars, male circumcision, stretched lobes, lip-discs, ringed-necks, foot binding, etc.)
- individuality
- creativity
- heightened pleasure (piercing, tattooing), may be during/after the experience depending on the modification
- self-esteem (especially in tattooing damaged body parts, see breast cancer survivor tattooes where their breasts once were and pigment reconstruction)
Here's a related book to consider
A History Of Japanese Body-suit Tattooing
By Mark Poysden, Marco Bratt
History records the practice of punitive tattooing across at least two thousand years. Japan was the last country to abolish punitive tattooing, in 1870. As elsewhere, the Japanese covered these marks of shame with decorative tattoos. Tattooing was repeatedly abolished, without effect. Even today, it is illegal to display tattoos publicly in Japan. In Japan, tattoos are primarily associated with the yakuza. This book traces the origins and development of the Japanese yakuza, ranging over their pre-WWII history, samurai and Bushido influences, the darker side of Tokugawa rule, and gambling connections; and describing what happens when a highly regulated society disintegrates.
Of course this is only a sampling of what modification can do of a positive nature. Sadly, societies still fear/reject what they don't understand and many modified, yet superb, folks are forced to fly under the radar to avoid dealing with the ignorant comments/actions of others brought upon a lack of awareness/acceptance.
[Edit by="kdietrick on Jul 28, 2:14:23 PM"][/Edit]
[Edit by="kdietrick on Jul 28, 2:16:43 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousA story about Murasaki, the author of,"The Tale of Genji" is fascinating. Historians are not precise about her birth or death dates. She was aducated in both Chinese and Japanese culture at a time when such ventures were only reserved for boys. Historians never even bothered to write about her because she was not from a royal family. Through her struggles and outstanding work she became part of history and now interests historians. Against all these she made it into history against all odds: It's mind boggling.
AnonymousOne thing about the Ming dynasty that provokes me to anger is how widows were cheated culturally into death than remarriage.For this they were honored for'filial piety and propriety'. This encouraged them further to either starve themselves to death or commit suicide. How about widowers? And you call this loyalty! Talk to me somebody!
AnonymousI was recently at a concert sponsored by the Indonesian consulate. There were several aspects which were of interest. The first was the performers. Soun-Youn Yoon from Korea played the oboe. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Music at Seoul National University. Sharing the stage were also Sharon Eng, an American violinist and Julliard School alumn, and Ary Sutedja on the piano. Ms. Sutedja is a renowned Indonesian classical pianist. It was really wonderful to see these three women coming together to tour the United States. It was nice to see Madonna's chant "Music, brings the people together," with a classical twist. Music certainly knows no borders and was enjoyed by all present. A second interesting aspect was the performance by Indonesian puppeteer Nanang Hape. It was awsome to see the music come alive with "Wayang," taditional classical shadow puppetry. These women looked at the past for their musical selections and presentation, to influence our thinking of what is to come in the future, through collaborative efforts like theirs.
AnonymousIt looks like a woman to keep an eye on in the future is South Korean political leader Park Geun-hye. LA Times reports Park suffered a 4-inch facial cut. Two men, one with a box cutter, are held. Th attack outside a department store in the middle of Seoul was stunning in South Korea, a country that had experienced little political viloence in recent years. Park is the daughter of the late dictator Park Chung-hee, who was assassinated in 1979. Five years earlier her mother was gunned down by an assassin. It looks like she didn't fare off so badly afterall. Park has headed the opposition Grand National Party since 2004 and is likely to run in the next year's predidential election to succeed left-of-center President Moo-hyun, who cannot run because of term limits. Hopefully, this is the last of the attacks on this rising political figure.
AnonymousI really enjoyed the discussion about women in Asian history. I am embarrassed to admit it, but my only knowledge of female asian history was the Disney movie Mulan. I hda done a little research a few years ago and found the poem of Mulan. I shared it with my students and we watched the movie and compared. I don't think that really showed the depth of this idea. The idea of the three queens of Korea was intriguing. I think I'm going to share this knowledge with some of my Korean students. Who knew that these types of stories existed.
I wish that women were better documented in history, considering that about half of the world consists of women. Hopefully some of our female students will help bring more examples of women in history to light!
AnonymousWell, my dream was to go to Japan and join the Tokyo Rockabilly Club. Sorry ladies, it's still boys only.
However, they'll let you take a photo with them between sets.
At one time the club numbered in the hundreds- now they're in the teens. Their hair defies gravity and
their threads are to die for. They perform every Sunday at Yoyogi-koen with lots of other amazing musical/entertainment acts that you've got to see to believe.
Check them out on
Enter Tokyo rockabilly club for some fine dance stylings. Who knew that break dancing went with rocakabilly?
AnonymousIn the APA Magazine, there is an interview with Chinese musican Cui Jian. He started at a young age as a classical musician, and then changed to rock and roll. He discusses two types of Chinese music. He describes them as "mainstreams". The first is er shu and the second is zhu xue liu. Er shu is the main melody from the government, and he says it is controlled by the government and is very commercial. His desire as a musician is to be another sound that can get the people's message out, not just hte government's message.
This is a very interesting article in terms of recognizing how music and politics can mix. Cui Jian has been compared with John Lennon and Kurt Cobain in terms of the cutting edge of his music and the messages he is trying to get across. This would be a very good article for students to read and consider. Cui Jian
AnonymousMy favorite class was the one on women in Asia and I loved the fact that women were not portrayed as lacking agency and being solely oppressed by men. Of course, women have been oppressed by men throughout the world but I enjoyed learning about how they challenged those systems and were subversive even if the examples were the exceptions and not the rule.
AnonymousI received an invitation from Facing History and Ourselves to attend a talk by Lisa See, author of Shanghai Girl and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.
The talk was conducted at the Chinese American Museum last night.
She has ancestors of Chinese origins, and had experienced the pain of hearing people talk badly about Chinese immigrants, not knowing that she is part chinese as well.
Besides talking about her books and what inspired her, she opened her heart and told us stories of her personal life. One of the most touching things I heard from her was when she expressed feeling always being a little bi outside no matter in which side of the family she was being at a specific time. Not completely chinese, not completely white.
She grew up near her chinese grandma and knows chinatowns streets pretty well, she also travels to China and feels at home.
She was gracious to let me take a picture with her, as soon as I figure how, I will post it.
AnonymousWould like to pass on this event info. regarding the role of China's "sing song girls" in 1920's Shanghai.
Looks to be quite entertaining. Runs from mid Nov to Jan.
http://www.grandguignolers.com/