October 11 - Yamashita - Classical and Warrior Japan

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Hello everyone,

Please share your thoughts about our October 11 morning session - Classical and Warrior Japan by Samuel Yamashita - by replying to this post.

-Miranda

[Anonymous]

I found this discussion of Classical and Warrior Japan very helpful. I especially liked Professor Yamashita's idea of organizing the discussion around 'artifacts' and 'puzzles', which I can see working with my students as well.

[Anonymous]

I thoroughly enjoyed the morning session (through the haze of my cold), and I, too liked his method of presenting information. I originally could not think of a method in which I would use Classical Japan, and the warrior information, but the use of specific artifacts and the puzzle questions kept me engaged in the lecture, and gave my notes focus. I also feel that this is a more interesting way to keep my students engaged in lectures, any lectures. If there are questions given ahead of time, the students anticipate the answers as we are talking. The use of the artifacts will blend well into my discussion of archetypes and mythologies because students can grasp how these elements are within cultures other than their own.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed Porfessor Yamashita's lecture as well. I was intrigued by the artifact-puzzle technique and can see myself using some variation of it in my own teaching practice. Professor Yamashita presented quite a bit of information and this method kept me intrigued and taking notes, while constantly referring back to the sheet with the puzzles. The information re: the origins of the Japanese people was a surprise, but his explanations made it seem plausible and obvious.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed the morning class with Professor Yamashita. I find that bringing real pictures into a situation is a lot more interesting than just reading about it. Having heard about the tombs they always seemed like some sort of fairytale or myth, but seeing actual pictures juxtaposed to modern vehicles and buildings brought a sense of realness to what once seemed like a myth, and I hope to see them in person some day.

[Anonymous]

Ms. "K" and Classmates:
With regards to Prof. Yamashita's presentation, I found the following ideas/concepts interesting and possibly useful:
1. Mr. "Y" mentioned the idea of his mother's concept of "Purity of(Japanese)Blood", and then he went on to point out the various influences(i.e. Chinese, Korean, South Pacific, etc.)that made up the Japanese people - their blood type, language, culture.
2. This topic lead to a connection with Turkey, Hungary, and Finland(Ural/Almaric?) languages, which might provide an interesting study on how Western Language/Culture has influenced/been influenced by Eastern Language/Culture. I see a possibility for writing/research in this.
3. In a related vein, it might be interesting to approach the origins of the Ainu and see how they were part of the Jomon group Mr. "Y" spoke of and if/how this group was connected to continental(Western?) cultures/influences. Naturally, any differentiation would need to include the Yayoi group and the continental influences it brought to bear on Japan.
4. A final note of interest might be the idea of "Vertical" vs. "Horizontal" cosmology. The abstraction value might make this a difficult issue for teenagers; however, it might also pique their curiosity in connection with the ideas of the "Xmas Tree, Sleigh/Sky/Heaven" in combination with the idea(Eastern?) that horses can fly to heaven. Philisophically, I'm a "slow student", so I would need a good deal of "polishing" before I could undertake this study with a class. I'm open for suggestions.
The density of Prof. "Y'S" talk lead to a great many pages of notes, which could lead to a great many more comments; however, let me tie some of these in with the literature venues of Oct. 11 and Oct. 14.
Walt Banta

[Anonymous]

I was unable to attend this session. i am very interested however to receive any relevant materials.

[Anonymous]

I liked this session that Professor Yamashita. I learned a little bit about Japanese language and literary characters, such as "wa" (meaning "dwarf"), which was one method of Chinese reference to Japanese people given that China had long had an ubanized/civilized society by the time the Chinese began writing about the Japanese.

I especially like Prof. Yamashita's organizational tool of "Artifacts" to present various topics concerning classical and warrior Japan. I found Japanese history surrounding the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku to be a fascinating way to tell the story of the formation of the first Japanese state. Also, the story "The Tale of Genji" was a very enlightening lesson for me on Japanese women in early Japanese society and the decline of emperor-driven Japan during the first millenium after the common era.

Probably the most fascinating part of the session for me was the discussion of warrior Japan, shoguns, samurai and the social structure of Japan. I learned that there was more to Japan's social structure during that time than simply martial arts confrontations. Gaining power and influence through land accumulation seemed to be as important as physical battle. Very enlightening.

I feel like I'm far more intelligent about Japan now. Good session, very worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

I really loved learning about Classical and Warrior Japan. I am still trying to find a way to incorporate this into my classroom. It is difficult because of the subjects I teach and in particular because of the grade level which i teach. However, I do have such an appreciation for this time period. I find the Warrior culture so intriguing and beautiful.The discipline, the ritual and the traditions are in such contrast to our society and it is interesting to compare that particular culture to the ways in which my students are raised. My students had little to no exposure to Japanese culture and this particular aspect- i think- would be really fascinating to them.

[Anonymous]

I thought that this was a very informative session from a true expert in the field. Prof. Yamashita was at his best this day when reflecting and Feudal/Warrior Japan. He provided the class with an abundance of information from this period, from the origins of the warriors to all the functions of all those that made up the Japanese Feudal system of this time. However, one of the most interesting things that I extracted from this meeting is regarding his discussion of Sei Shonagon and the description of courtly life. Quite interesting, especially since these are one of the only surviving accounts of this period. The other interesting part of this day is his explanation of the rise of the warrior class and feudalism, beginning from the influence of the Fujiwara family and subsequent loss of influence of the emperor. All in all, it was great day. However, I would have liked if he would have connected or compared European feudalism with that of Japan.

Manuel 😀

[Anonymous]

I believe that this seminar was very informative of Japan's culture and heritage of honor and philosophies of their warriors. Honor seems to be the biggest theme of importance in Japanese warrior history. I'm glad that I learned about the "Tale of Genji", which makes references to Koreans who go to Japan during the Nara Dynasty and are naturalized in society. It's funny that Koreans were referred to as "those people over there who raise horses".

[Anonymous]

I was very interested by the Tokugawa Ieyasu’s system of alternate attendance. A parallel could be drawn between this “reigning in” of the nobles and Louis XIV intendent system, which stripped the nobles of administrative authority but invited them to wine and dine at the Imperial court of Versailles. This could be a great comparison to lead the kids to in a World History or Lit class, particularly because both leaders ruled around the same time (early 1600’s for TI, mid 1600’s for Louis).

[Anonymous]

During the Tokugawa period, Professor Pitelka spoke about how the Warriors were high in status but low in “class” or wealth. I am always looking for parallel to draw between different historical cultures, and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas? I think a modern example, although many may have stories to refute me, would be teachers. We are generally praised by society but under-compensated. Any other thoughts?

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