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Marcos RicoAmy, I had the same misconceptions about Samurais, in part due to Hollywood movies, but also due to some amazing Japanese movies such as Seven Samurai (they were Ronin, but still miscalled Samurai instead of Bushi) . Yojimbo, and Sanjuro (the main character is a Ronin Bushi a.k.a. Ronin Samurai) also sell us the image of extremely loyal warriors who would fight for their master against all odds. I enjoyed the lecture, even after learning that everything that I knew about Samurais was wrong. The Bushidan were the closest to the image of the Samurai that we have been sold by the movies and literature.
Marcos RicoProfessor Katsuya Hirano just destroyed all my dreams and beliefs about Samurai. All those countless hours of my childhood watching movies about honorable Samurai warriors 🙁 Originally the name Saburahi applied to the guards that served the court during the Heinan period. Saburahi means, a person who serves his master, they were low level civil servants. The fake image of the "Samurai" that I watched all those countless Saturday mornings is closer to another group, known as Bushi or Warrior gentlemen. Professor Hirano assured us that not even the Bushidan followed the famous "Samurai" honor code. Tom Cruise movie The Last Samurai, should have been called, The Last Bushi. The Bushidan eventually became a powerful group in imperial Japan.
On a positive note, I had the opportunity to ask Professor Hirano about the Ninja AKA Shinobi no Mono. They did exist, but at a later time, during the 14th century.
Marcos RicoI find it interesting how Buddism played an important role in Japanese history and culture as early as 500 A.D. In Japan there were other religious beliefs such as Shinto, being practiced along with Buddism. Several emperors favored the practice of Buddism, Emperor Shōmu help their monasteries to gain a lot of power around Nara. This increase of power in the region motivated Emperor Kanmu to moving of the imperial capital away from this region, in an attemp to diminish Buddism influence in the government, to an area near present day Kyoto.
Around the year 804 A.D. Emperor Kanmu send monk Seichō to China to learn new Buddism teachings. Seichō fullfilled his duty and brought back to Japan the Tendai doctrine of Buddism, universal salvation. It presented the Tendai doctrine as superior, but allowed the religious practices of older sects.
According to the text, Buddism also played an crucial role in the development of written language in Japan. Prior to the introduction of Buddism to Japan, Japanese did not have a witten language. The initial Buddist text where brought in from Korea, who at the time were writing in Chinese. This led to the introduction of Chinese culture an ideology into Japan. Eventually, after a long time, Chinese writing combined with Japanese spoken language to give birth to Japanese written language.
Along with Buddism teachings came Buddist temples, which helped to bring more complex architecture into Japan. At first just copying Chinese temples and mansions, but later developing into is own style.
Wow, everyday I am learning something new.
Marcos RicoBrenda, I agree with you Period of Division and Tang Poetry were hard to read on the computer since they appear sideways 🙁 Luckly I was able to download them into my iPad and turn it on its side just enough to be able to read them. I enjoyed reading Peach Blossom Spring, the story sounds familiar, but cannot remember where I read it before.
Marcos RicoThis Chapter covers the history of China from 220-589. Three Kingdoms, Western Jin, Northern (foreigners) and Southern Dynasties. These centuries were a time of warfare and lots of changes. It is a little bit hard to follow due to all the changes that occurred during this time period.
The area that I found more interesting was about the arrival of Buddhism to China, it arrived with merchants and missionaries. At first it was only a religion of foreigners, but little by little gained acceptance into Chinese Society. Big surprise for me, there is Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, and Tantric Buddhism (makes me wonder, how many other forms of Buddhism are there?). I have so much to learn about world religions. Everyday I learn a little bit more.
According to this chapter during the Zhou and Han period, poverty was so prevalent that many husbands would sell their children and even their wives into slavery (there were laws that forbid the kidnapping and selling of some people into slavery). But I wonder if those laws were ever enforced. The chapter mentions that during there chaotic time, there was an ever increasing use of slave labor.
Marcos RicoWonderful resources!! I followed the link of Jennifer Kim_Korea. It took me to another website full of Primary and secondary resources. One of the topics that we are currently covering in my 4th grade class. I followed the first link other Resources Asia for Educators,Primary Sources with DBQs http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/main_pop/ps/ps_korea.htm
This website has the primary sources organized by time period, 4000-1000 BCE, 1000 BCE-300CE, 600-1000 CE, 1000-1450 CE, 1450-1750 CE , etc. I found a document that caught my attention "Inheratence of Slavery Status" from Scholar Yu Hyongwon (1622-1673).
The Scholar starts by describing the origins of slavery in Korea. It goes on to talk about how in the past, only criminals would be forced into slavery to pay for their crimes, but their descendents would not become slaves by birth. Now, in his current time, people are slaves just because their ancestors were slaves. In his time people did not have a way to become a freeman or woman. It goes on to compare their system of slavery with the Chinese system of slavery. Yu Hyongwon proposes a way to abolish slavery in a gradual manner.
I find this article interesting because in class with my 4th graders, during social studies, we were talking about slavery in the USA. How after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, California was eventually allowed to join the United States as a Free state. During our conversation, students wondered how the United States created with such an unfair thing as slavery. Others share how the Egyptians had the Jewish people as slaves a long time ago, and someone else mentioned that the Romans also had slaves. I mentioned that unfortunately even the Greeks practiced slavery. Students realized that slavery was not invented by the United States, and fortunatelly our country was able to get rid of that horrible system of exploitation.
I feel that I can use this article as a shared reading with my class. We could learn more about how other cultures used slavery and how it affected their societies.
Marcos RicoDennis, often the newcomers are more technologically advanced than the native inhabitants. Historically the newcomers have used this technological advantage to enslave and erradicate the native population, taking over the land and natural resources. It has happened countless times all over the world, in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, & America. It is a sad part of our world history.
The dehumanization of the enemies is something that has been done for a very long time specially during war time, to make it easy for soldiers to kill each other.
Marcos RicoI always thought of the Japanese as one homogenous group of people who somehow had managed to migrate and populate the several islands that make up Japan. I was very surprised to read “The treatment of Natives” and “Who were the Emishi” and learn more about early Japan. I love learning more about history (even with all destruction).
Unfortunately, the treatment of the native inhabitants of the island by the Japanese is a sad, but classic example of what happens when two different cultures/ societies meet. The stronger or more advance society tries to dominate and destroys the other less advanced society. It happened when the Spanish arrived in the Caribbean (later repeated it with the Aztecs, Incas, etc). Same happened when the Pilgrims/Europeans arrived into what is now the East Coast of the United States, and kept on repeating until The United States reached from coast to coast.
Marcos RicoI am a farmer in small village. I love my father, but I must love my community more. He knew the law, but decided to be selfish and broke it anyway. I witness him breaking the law. My love for my community must come first. We have our rules for the benefit of our community. We must avoid wastefulness to reach harmony and wealth for all.
I must love everyone in my community and tell our judge that my father broke the law. The wise judge will provide a fair and loving consequence that will promote harmony and avoid wastefulness.
Marcos Ricoshort video about Terracotta warriors. I remember watching a great documentary about the Terracotta Army a while back, but cannot remember who produced it.
I wonder what was going on in Michael Rohana's head breaking a piece from an ancient priceless figure(I stand corrected, valued at 4.5 million dollars) and taking that terracotta thumb home. He now faces up to 30 years in jail, and a heavy fine. I searched for any updates on this case but could not find any relevant information. Rightfully, China is asking for a severe punishment, but 30 years...ouch.
https://www.shine.cn/viral/1804082782/
Somehow many people act without thinking of the consequences, another horrible example are Utah's goblin topplers, Glenn Tuck Taylor and David Benjamin Hall (makes me even more upset because they were Scout leaders). This guys decided to topple an ancient rock formation because they claim that it was dangerous and record it on video. The video was later uploaded to youtube.
https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=57695025&itype=CMSID
Two horrible examples of fellow United States citizens acting without any respet to culture or the environment. These people give the rest of us a bad reputation 🙁 I had reviewed the Utah case with my students and Scouts, to think about the consequences of your actions and "leave no trace" principles. Now I have another bad example to use, and to help educate some young minds.
Marcos RicoSomehow I always assumed that it was a quote from J.R.R. Tolkien I would have never guessed that it is such an ancient chinese quote. I might have also used this quote with my students. Earlier, after reading your comment, I was looking around my library for the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings but could not find them. I will have to ask my sons if they know where those books are at 🙂 Beacuase, now thanks to a quote from Lao Zi, I want to re read them (well, once we finish this seminar because we will have a lot of reading to do).
I like your idea of students answering to a quote in their writer's Notebookonce a week. In the past I have tried several several different activities to motivate my students to write. I might give this one a try. Thanks for sharing.
Marcos RicoI had heard a little bit about Confucianism, Taoism and Buddism. I had never heard of Mohist (As Clay kept on reminding us, not to be confuse with Maoist [different time period and ideas] ), Legalism, nor Daoism. It was a great to find out that Taoism is a different spelling of Daoism.
Confucianism follows that teaching of Master Con aka Confusius, it teaches that humans are innately good and can be perfected by creating habits. it talks about the 5 constant relationships that dictate how one must behave in society. Ruler- Subject, Father-Son, Husband-Wife,Elder Brother- Younger brother, and Elder Friend- Younger Friend. Practice makes perfect
Mohism follow the teaching of Master Mo Zi (who very likely was made up to counter Master Con), it teaches that we should do everything that we can to help our community, not just our family. Study war, for defense not to attack. War is wasteful. We have to reach for Universal Love.
Daoism follows the teachings of Master Lao Zi. Dao is power. "if you can define it, you do not know about it". it teaches that troubles stem from the pursuit of civilization. Nature knows knows best.
Legalism follows the teachings of Shang Yang, "Everyone must follow the same rules." Humans by nature are selfish and short sighted, andcan be manipulated with rewards and punishments.
I am not sure which Philosophy I identify the most with, but I was placed on the Mohism philosophy group. We must care for other as we would care for our own family. We must avoid wasting resources, war is bad because it is wasteful. We must study war from a defensive point of view, to protect our communities from enemies. Love everyone, not just your family, universal love.
Marcos RicoI already knew that our beautiful state of California has a strong relationship with Asia. But during class when we were talking about Empress of China, first official USA shipto sail to China back in 1783. I realized that our countries and continents are linked by an even stronger connection. Without China there would not be a United States of America, or even the continent of America (it would still exist but it would be very different).
The only reason that Cristopher Columbus aka Cristobal Colon traveled west was to find a faster route to China. Instead of finding a route to China he stumbled upon a whole continent, he died without even knowing that he had landed in the wrong continent. Colombus believed that he had landed in India, that is the reason why our Native Americans are often called Indians. Later, more Europeans followed Columbus route and eventually realized that it was a whole new continent. It was great news for the European explorers and settles, bad news for the Native Americans that were already here. For good or bad many of us are the product of this clash of cultures.
Marcos RicoA new concept that I learned from this article was Upside down family structure, it is upside because we are use to have more children than adults. The upside down family has four grandparents, 2 parents, and only one child. Historically it used to be 4 grandparents (who would spend some time with each of their adult children), 2 parents, and several children (plus many cousins). Unfortunally, these new families have led to ultra low fertility rates in several countries like Japan, South Korea, & Taiwan.
In the 1970's Japan had a stable fertility rate of 2.1, currently their fertility rate is 1.42. The estimate that I found for 2017 (https://www.indexmundi.com/japan/demographics_profile.html) indicated 7.7 births/1,000 vs. 9.8 Deaths/1,000. More people are dying than those that are are being born, hence the population crisis.
There is some hope, because Europe went through a similar demographic crisis in the early 1900's. Now several Europen countries like France, Britain and Scandinavia are experiencing a fertility rate increase close to 2.1 percent. It could be due to a combination of social changes and other factors.
I find it hard to imagine the life of these very small families. My parents raised 4 children, on the small side compared to most of my aunts and uncles (we are from Mexico). My older sister has 3 children (2 girls, 1 boy), my older brother has 2 children (1 boy ,1 girl), my younger sister (just recently married) so, no children, and my wife and I have twins(2 teen aged boys). On my father side (smaller family) I have 2 uncles and 5 aunts, with a total of 24 cousins plus their children. My mom's side is larger, I have 3 aunts and 5 uncles, 51 one cousins plus all their children.
Marcos RicoHello Dennis,
As a mentioned to Heidi, I am glad that a seasoned and experienced teacher is teaching a combo class. 139 countries, that is awesome. I have only been in 3 different countries, and all of them in North America. From a Latin American perspective, I have visited all the countries in North America, but from the U.S. perspective I still have 20 more to visit. It is great to have a 2/3 grade teacher taking this class, during my previous seminar (online), it was mostly middle school and high school teachers. So far, we have 3 elementary school teachers in this seminar. Looking forward to our first class this weekend.
