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AnonymousI agree I was taken back by the reading and singing of poetry. It makes me think that we today as americans are taking the beauty and grace out of everything. Hearing poetry sang sheds a new light and can halp us to relax and get out of poetry what was intended a chance at a better life or frame of mind.
AnonymousDoes anyone else find it interesting that Japanese society and unification was directly related to the dynasties in China?
Japanese histroy has been surpressed by it's neighbor to the west, You can easly say that Japan's unification and isolation for so long due to China occured aroundthe world. Example in the United States we were forced to unify and become isolated by Britian. And today the United States has forced both Mexico and Cuba to become ither a third world trading partener or raw materials or go into isolation. There are many more accounts can you find any other accounts.
If possible i would like to make this topic into my lesson for our class, does anyone think it would be possible?
Michael Wanmer
AnonymousShanghai index drop! The Wall Street Roundup is claiming that yesterday (Jan. 31) Chinese shares fell 5% which is their biggest one-day loss in eight months. For months an equity bubble had been growing. It was led by a rush of investment after authorities instituted reforms aimed at controlling price manipulation and other abuses. This made investors shy away from Chinese stocks. There had been mounting worries that the bubble was about to pop. Analysts said that the decline was led by blue chips and that it simply signaled a respite after weeks of continued record highs. I guess many traders felt a push to get out, considering that blue chips were selling at such high values. Before yesterday, the Shanghai index was up 9.5% for the year (and 134% last year). Market sentiment has been boosted by rebounding corporate earnings and an economy that has been growing at a rate of more than 10% a year![Edit by="kschumacher on Feb 1, 12:41:48 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousI find China & Africa's growing relationship fascinating. The Times has an interesting article about Africa holding attractions for China leaders. It says that in Jahannesburg there are many signs of China's booming relationship with Africa, from the soaring trade figures, including Bejing's burgeoning oil imports, to the Chinese-built stadiums, railways, power lines, dam and roads.
AnonymousThere was an interesting article in the Jan. 22 edition of TIME magazine called "China, Dawn of a New Dynasty." One of the interesting topics was how China is reaching out to different countries like Africa and Brazil where Chinese investment contribute to building roads, railways, textile factories, and oil wells. They discuss how we are used to everyone going to China for business, but less about China goint OUT into the world.
Also, the article focused on two factors that could contribute to conflict with the West: the modernization of China's defense forces, and the risk of war over Taiwan.
AnonymousMichael I think studying the literature and poetry of both ancient China and Japan and seeing the importance the arts had in society makes me even more certain that a strong arts program in the schools must be maintained. There is so much talk about teaching to the standards and being sure the basics are covered. We should never loose sight of how rich a culture and its people become through a love of the arts. There is a place not only in an English class but also in a history class for prose and poetry. At Saturday's workshop I was thinking of the ways I can incorporate some ot the poetry into my lessons with seventh graders when we study Japan. Last year I copied the cartoon version of the Tale of the Genji and had the kids read it. I used some of the other primary source documents throughout our study of both China and Japan. I too loved listening to Professor Yee recite poetry. His passion for it made me want to read more poetry.
Cathy Rieder
AnonymousMr. Yamashita gave a very interesting discussion on the topic of the origin of the Japanese people. This is a very big issue in Japan as well. We studied history in school in Japan, but our origin still remains a mystery. Japanese history became clear around the 6th to 7th century. Receintly in Japan, scientists are doing more DNA studies to try and solve this fascinating question. Most likely Mr. Yamashita's ideas are correct in that Japan is a country of mixed nationalities.
AnonymousMr. Yamashita gave some interesting differences found in Japanese people who were born in southern Japan and those born in northern Japan. He asked me where I was born and I told him that I had come from the north. He explaned that people from the north have fingerprints in a wave-shape and those from the south are in an "o" form. Sure enough, mine were in a wave-shape. I wonder how significant this is as to the origin of the Japanese people, or is this a result of recent inter-breeding?
AnonymousI appreciated Professor Miyake's lecture on Saturday. I think in order to summarize nearly 2000 years of the history of Japanese literature, a person would need more than one afternoon session. Still, I think she covered a lot of ground. Japanese history is usually covered in three groups of time. The first group centers arount the Imperial Dynasties (12th century) in Japan. The second time classification usually focuses on the Samurai Eras, (the end of the 12th century to the 19th century) and the third is what Japanese call, "Modern," that being the end of the 19th century to the present.
AnonymousI am not sure if anyone has had the opportunity to read the article in Sports Illustrated (Feb 5th issue) titled, "Damon at the Wall..." The premise is opening alliances with China through baseball. The article was a quick read, but quite interesting. Apparently, the NY Yankees officials flew over to Beijing to talk with officials about building a training facility there and inviting Chinese players to the Yankee's spring training. The ultimate goal it to broaden the talent and fan cooperative and possibly even implement a Pacific Rim division of MLB. For all of us that teach, we know how huge baseball is to our Asian students, what a great conversation piece!
Steph Lajoie
AnonymousIf you visit the Huntington Library and Garden's education website at huntington.ort/Education/lessons/BG-JG-book-arts.htm, you will find some interesting lesson plans geared for students in grades 4-7. The lesson plans discuss the design of Japanese gardens, Zen gardens, Japanese Haiku, Scroll Painting and Japanese Fish Printing. The lessons are very well laid out containing California content standards, vocabulary, discussion questions and extension activities. If you are planning a field trip to the gardens, I recommend taking a look at some of these lessons.
AnonymousThere will be a Bonsai tree trimming exhibition on February 24-25 in the Botanical Center of the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Should prove interesting to those who are fascinated with miniature trees.
AnonymousOne of the largest classical Chinese gardens outside China is due to open at the Huntington Library and Gardens at the end of February. It is going to occupy a 12 acre site. The Chinese garden was funded by a $10 million dollar bequest from the estate of a Los Angeles businessman and $4 million dollars from gifts of the Chinese community. They also received two $500.000 grants from the Starr Foundation of New York. It should be a very beautiful place to see once it is fully open to the public.
AnonymousThank you for the update on the Huntington.....I have loved visiting there and enjoyed the Japanese garden. It would be great to have my kids visit the Japanese and the Chinese gardens. I think I will suggest that for an extra credit assignment. I remember going there in seventh grade to visit the library and see the Gutenburg Bible and other texts. It is a really beauttiful site
AnonymousOne more note on the Chinese Gardens... If you are interested in attending lectures on China and the Chinese culture, the Huntington Library has a continuing series of lectures going on in the Friend's Hall. The lectures are free and open to the public. They are mostly held on Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM. They discuss a variety of topics from Chinese Art to celebrating the Moon Festival. February 20th will be a discussion of "Chinese Garden Plants and Their Symbolism", and on May 8th they will discuss, "Rocks in Chinese Culture".