Message from kirion

[Anonymous]

Professor Yamasshita covered so many periods, prehistory: "the Origin of Japan" to Tokugawa period: 19th century, in 3 short hours with selected six major "artifacts". His lecture was organized with useful handouts (puzzle 1 to puzzle 7), and the presentation was very interesting.

I watch Japanese historical drama "Atsu-hime" every Saturday night. This drama develops during end of the Tokugawa (Edo) period. The time is about when Matthew Perry arrived in Uraga. Atsu-hime, the name of shogun Tokugawa Iesada's wife, is a very unusual lady. She was born in a lower samurai family in Satsuma, now Kagoshima-prefecture. The head of Shimazu (daimyo) discovered Atsu-hime's unusual brillant mind, and he adapted her. Then she went though hard training, and gradually became the shogun's wife.

I know the history of Tokugawa period. But I don't know about Atsu-hime. She was not mentioned in history textbook in Japan. I am interested to see how Atsu-hime thinks and acts during this political turmoil. She is one of the centers of politics but under the surface.

I like Japanese castles. I visited several of them. They are beautiful and practical for protecting the lord. There is a castle-town (joka-machi) around each castle. The casle-towns have maintained traditional Japanese culture. It is very interesting to visit them.

In my teaching of Japanese language and culture, I always include some historical backgrounds. Prof. Yamashita gave us so much useful information. I can use some of them in my classroom according to the students' level and the contents. Thank you very much.