Readings for Session #6: Classical Japan

[Anonymous]

Readings Part 1 of Classical Japan.
edited by yhuang on 4/26/2012

[Anonymous]

Readings Part 2 of Classical Japan.

[Anonymous]

I am definitely looking forward to hearing Professor Yamashita's lecture tonight! Imperial Japan and its' related history (i.e., including the mythology that goes with it!) has always been an area of fascination for me.

[Anonymous]

I found it interesting that Japan was populated by one million Chinese at one time and that Koreans also compose the population. Also the classical circa 900 novels, The Pillow Book, if I have that name correct and Genji, which I read a long time ago but think I will read again. That Chinese government was a model for the Japanese for centuries was new to me, but of course it, too, evolved through Buddhism and other models. I want to continue learning more about this and look forward to the next lecture on the warrior class.

[Anonymous]

In the readings for Session 6 I was struck by the concept of debate and discussion in the decisions of the emperor about "weighty" matters instead of leaving all important decision to the emperor or his designee. I found the importance of rulers conferring with others in a couple of places. Very different from much of European style monarchy of the king or queen, such as Catherine the Great, getting involved even in the promulgation of the laws. But then, she, too, tried to bring in the various levels of her realm to contribute. In reference to the Japanese rulers, "To spread good behavior and lead people to good customs, the ruler should await enlightened sages, and then commit his heart to them."

[Anonymous]

One of the part that interest me was reading about Pimiko. That during the Kingdom of Wei that there was actually a woman ruler. It was interesting how she had 1,000 female attendants, but only a handful of them got to actually see her and only one man who acted as the form of communication.

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Dear Colleagues,

For the two upcoming sessions (April 30 and May 7), we are honored to have Professor Samuel Yamashita from Pomona College to lecture on Classical and Warrior Japan. You can read Professor Yamashita's faculty profile here.

The readings for Classical Japan (for Monday, April 30) is attached in two parts. We will again be meeting from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at PUSD's Education Center (Lower Level Conference Room).

Best,
Ying Jia
edited by yhuang on 4/26/2012
edited by yhuang on 4/26/2012

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