[Haena Shin]

East Asia Since the 1800s was a such a powerful seminar experience in which educators were able to learn about the culture, economy, politics, history, architecture, and entertainment of East Asia. In summation, a wealth of information and resources were provided throughout this seminar. Many of the speakers and presentations were very insightful and eye-opening regarding China, Japan, and Korea. This seminar provides a lot of powerful tools for educators to take back to their classrooms and spark conversations with students regarding East Asia, where each country came from, and how they became what they are today. The demographics and geography of each country are interesting in comparison to the United States. The similarities and differences between each of these countries would allow students to have a better understanding of the lifestyles, benefits, and challenges of living in either Asia or the U.S.

Expansion and growth in Korea, China, and Japan tell a long, detailed history of what each country underwent through in terms of war, civilization, rebellions/uprisings, and tensions in social class. The sessions also pointed out the impact of religion in which Christianity heavily influenced education in Korea and Buddhism impacted architecture in Japan. Many of the articles we read provided personal narratives of what certain people may have felt at the time. These readings would allow students to understand the feelings and experiences of what life was like at the time.

In addition to history, the seminar also provided insight about pop culture, entertainment, and art. Current trends in Asia are a tangible segue for students to peak their interest in Asia and learn more. The many renditions of Godzilla were quite entertaining but eye-opening in which “Goijra” was intended to be an anti-war and anti-nuclear film that embodied the sentiment of Japan’s imagination on disaster and pessimism at the time. There is such a variety of topics and perspectives to offer our students regarding East Asia that I’m not quite sure where to begin. I am thankful and humbled by the experience of being able to partake in this seminar and excited to take it all back to the classroom.

 

[Haena Shin]

This was such an interesting article. I definitely found this topic to be relevant and applicable to our sessions about Japanese artichecture. While Japan struggles with the issue of space and sustainability, the concepts of these capsules address both issues allowing space to be used and designed efficiently while also renovating old spaces that are likely to be more susceptible to damage from natural disasters occuring in Japan such as earthquakes and tsunamis. I enjoyed reading how the architect's intention in design was to preserve the art and technology allowing the building to be functional for the next 200 years. He also points out that there are two different kinds of appreciating in allowing the preservation of the history of the past and appreciating the building as a part of the urban fabric. It's innovative to see how buildings such as the Nakagin Capsule Tower are able to be preserved but continue to step forward with future technologu and design.

[Haena Shin]

Hi Cynthia, 

Thanks for sharing this article. I think your comparison to the protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989 with the current ongoing protests in Hong Kong are an interesting point. While these protests have many similarilities since the past 30 years, you're right in the sense that military tactics look somewhat different. I think it would be quite interesting for students to have a conversation in classrooms regarding the current protests in Hong Kong and what they notice about protests in the past. 

With the increase in social media and technology, the world definitely has a closer view on what's going on and the government is definitely much more susceptible to scrutiny from the public's eye. I wonder whether this has impacted protestors and their decision making process in choosing to use more violent tactics to get their message across.

 

[Haena Shin]

It was interesting to hear from Professor Peck's lecture that Japan was initially very closed off to the idea of foreign workers. I wonder if that perspective will continue to change in 2020 and beyond as more and more opportunity rises.  Although Japan may be very efficient in the way they get their work done, it was interesting to learn how negotiations take more time and are considered with more thought and care. I would love to witness a negotiation take place and how people in the meeting room maintain silence and how their eye contact and mannerisms may change.

[Haena Shin]

I love the minimalism and simplicity of Japanese architecture. I think its very interesting how many major cities in America have Japanese gardens and temples for tourists to visit. I find Japanese architecture to be very innovative in their use of materials, resources, and technology. The designs are very thoughtful yet useful and space is utilized in a meaningful way. It amazes me that many temples, castles, shrines, and buildings in Japan last to this day and are maintained carefully to preserve its beauty.

[Haena Shin]

I also loved how she tied in Korean snacks and goodies as an incentive to increase participation. Choco pies always remind me of the story where South Korea would fill large balloons attached to bags with Choco Pie and drift them over to North Korea. It's definitely mind boggling to know how much change and shift occured in South Korea through many leaders, oppositions, and various constitutions. In some ways, I think that the frequent changes somewhat molded South Korea to be more open to various economic and industrial ideas as you mentioned. In comparision, North Korea's close-minded and anti-US way of thinking limited their economy to flourish and grow as a country.

[Haena Shin]

I thought Cranes was a beautifully written piece in the way it showed the reader the perspective of two different boys with very different futures. Although they come from the same background and beginnings, it was interesting to see how their fate would realign as foes and how their lives respectively turned out. 

Your point of view of the two Korea's veering into different paths were very interesting and paints a visual comparison in relation to the boths. I enjoyed how your take of this analogy was at the very least, a way of understanding each other and being able to be open to learning about each other's perspectives.

[Haena Shin]

Your take on the means of Japan's coping with the trauma of the threats and destruction are very interesting. Knowing that Japan has a huge anime culture and their production of various fiction characters, I wonder if animation provides the false sense of reality from Japan's actual state of mind. As young children to adults, I'm curious as to learn what their perspectives are in relation to the fantasy worlds they create versus the real world in their day to day experiences. I'm also interested in learning how the two perspectives may, if ever, tie together.

[Haena Shin]

I definitely enjoyed Professor Tsutsui's session about disaster movies and the popularity of it in the film industry post war. I thought it was so interesting how the people in Japan were so reserved to have conversations and actual dialogue about their emotions when it came to the effects of the war. It's amazing to learn how people were able to internalize with the dark flms and engage with them in a way where it was meaningful and validating to the struggles and the hurt they felt.  

It was humorous to see the many renditions and different takes of Godzilla films that took place. I particular found the bridge of the two characters, Godzilla and King Kong to be hilarious in how they tied both Japanese and American films together.

[Haena Shin]

This is definitely a very interesting but unspoken topic. Knowing that husbands are the primary financial providers for their families, I wonder how women feel about divorce and whether they view that as an option when their marriages are not successful. I wonder if divorce rates occur as often compared to China and Korea. Custody would also be a topic of concern when divorce may occur. Knowing that women are the primary caregivers and spend much more time with their children, I'm curious as to what the perspective of men might be. 

In relation to the topic of divorce, I'm also interested to learn about the statistic rates of remarriage in Japan.

[Haena Shin]

I was aware that women were expected to fulfill more roles and expectations of child rearing and domestic duties but bothered to hear than even college educated women leave the work force after having children. Knowing that Japan has a conservative culture, I wonder what the dynamic between spouses are in the family. Similar to Korean culture, a lot of working dads don't have the closest relationship with their children because they don't have the opportunity to spend very much time at home. Similarly, I wonder how children may view both their mother and father separately in regard to the roles they have. 

Especially for women who do choose to pursue their careers in the workforce, I'm curious as to how they are treated and viewed in comparison to their male colleagues and whether they receive equal pay and support. I think its important for there to be balance between spouses and equal responsibility in child rearing and support. 

[Haena Shin]

I love your point of view on how history was so much more powerful when seen through the perspective of diaries of all kinds of citizens. I think there is so much power and meaning from the diaries of the poeple who went through the wartime periods. THe annecdotes of these people are definitely powerful in comparision to the powerful and decision makers because it is such a raw and emotional account of what they went through and how they were affected by the war. 

I think the idea of keeping a journal for your students is fantastic. It's a great tool and a way to keep track of what their life is like and how it changes over time. In comparison to the diaries they read, students can be able to understand the perspective of these people in a more meaningful way and truly imagine what it could have been like if they were in their shoes. 

[Haena Shin]

I was also really shocked to learn about the true perspectives of the Kamikaze Pilots. It makes me wonder what could have possibly gone through the minds of these pilots and the strife they went through during this time period. I'm sure they had to really struggle with the intention of having to obey the orders of their nation but also wanting to stay alive and be with their families. This would be an interesting topic for students to study or write about when it comes to the extreme decision of having to forgo one for the other when it comes to choosing between loyalty versus freedom or obendience versus rebellion.

[Haena Shin]

I was also really interested to hear about the role of women in the economy. It was surprizign to learn that Japan had gone through bankrupty since Japan is always refered to as a successful country. I think westernization really helped boost Japan's economy with the introduction of a lot of different types of trade being brought back to Japan. It's interesting to learn that the people of Japan were reticent to accept the new ideas, trends, and innovations that came to Japan as a result. Knowing that people of Japan tend to be more reserved and keep to theirselves, I also felt that it was exciting to learn how Japan's foundation as a modern nation took root as a result of opening itself to foreign ideas and concepts.

[Haena Shin]

From learning the perspective of elders I've spoke to about Christianity in Korea, I've learned about the positive impact Christianity had post-war. I think Christian influence came at a time when many people in Korea were a lot more open to Christianity since the aftermath of the war. I remember hearing that Christian missionaries did a lot to provide support and assistance to many people who were starving and struggling to survive after the war had left the country with almost nothing. Similarly, education also had strong roots in Christianity as many missionaries provided resources and teachers to help children who were eager to learn and make a better future for themselves. To this day, I know that educational institutes such as Ehwa University have strong Christian morals in which students attend weekly service as a part of their studies.

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