Session 6 - 1/12/10 - Pitelka - Japan to 1945

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Hi everyone,

Please reply to this message and share your thoughts about our January 12 session on Japan to 1945 by Morgan Pitelka.

-Miranda

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed tonight's lecture, particularly the topic pertaining to Japan and Korea (their somewhat tenuous relationship with one another). The subject of Japan's colonialism of Korea during WWII, for example, is still to this day, a very hot topic. It made me remember something that happened on my first trip back to Korea in 1994. I remember going to a music store, asking if they sold a particular music by a Japanese band. I remember the proprietor shushing me, saying that I should not talk about such things and was informed that his establishment does not cater to such (profanities)...you get the picture. He, then, proceeded to tell me the fine points of what his own family went through during that time and that I have an obligation as a Korean woman to properly study history. That I was too Americanized to not appreciate what my ancestors have done for me. I was shocked and embarrassed, to say the least. The irony of all this is that he was humming and singing along, in Korean, to an old Japanese folk (Enka) music.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to Professor Pitelka for an enlightening lecture. It was interesting to hear the Japanese viewpoint of WWII, although he never called it that. I grew up in the Philippines hearing the horrific stories of what the Japanese did during their occupation to the Filipinos, and it's hard to understand how they have never been held accountable for the war crimes they were responsible for in all of Asia. In America, we air all our dirty laundry and past history for the world to see, and it's difficult to remember sometimes that not everyone does that.

I would have liked to have heard more about the Rape of Nanjing and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from the professor's perspective. I'm looking forward to the next lecture!

[Anonymous]

Wow! I really enjoyed the lecture. It added to a lot of facts I already knew. The Rape of Nanking is part of our state standards and I knew lots about that. I really enjoyed getting the Japanese side. It had never occurred to me how others, while they were being conquered, saw the Japanese. And of course that the Western Powers felt threatened, such as in the case of the Japanese taking the Korean Peninsula. I especially enjoyed learning about the 1920's Japanese flapper. I might do a lesson on these ladies. I love the idea of a group breaking out and finding a way of redefinig themselves. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I too, felt Professor Pitelka's presentations highly valuable. As a followup for myself, I have enjoyed surfing the MIT Visualizing Cultural Project link he introduced us to. The marketing and ad pages for Shiseido extend from early 1900's to present and show us the profound impact advertising has. Ads pre war and during war, were also especially interesting, with the link to the highly charged nationalism feeling throughout Japan. I use many advertising lessons when discussing rhetoric and propaganda. The use of color, layout, form, and varying forms of appeal is easily accessible and beautifully portrayed. And the best part is that it extends over such a great concrete length of time.
I also enjoyed looking at the Japan tourism photos from the 1800's. There is a multitude of resources here and I can absolutely include some in future lesson plans.See you Tuesday.

[Anonymous]

As Professor Piteka spoke about Japan's colonization of 25% of Asia using formal total
colonialism and informal puppet governments, I wondered if this aggression was a result of
former aggressive Western powers who forced "...Japan into signing unequal treaties..."

The Meiji Restoration reading states, " Even the last shogun was fully aware that Japan would
have to become a centralized state in order to defend itself against the outside world..."

From 1874 until WWII, Japan's colonization allowed it to create buffer zones around perceived threats from:
Korea, Mainland China, Manchuria, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and Pacific Archipelo
Micronesian Islands.

Internally, Japan moderized rapidly and developed politically. Japan may have been the Asian counterpart to British colonization in India and Africa, so it may have been nothing
more than "land grabbing" or a sense of superiority over other Asians.

[Anonymous]

Each week there is an idea that I find particularly interesting and this week was no different.

The Treaty of Portsmouth for which Roosevelt ostensibly won the Nobel Peace prize for giving Korea to Japan. Of course this is Monday morning quarterbacking, but it does make one wonder how much Roosevelt's decision had to do with Japan's inclination toward militaristic and Imperialistic alliance with Germany that followed.

Also, Professor Pitelka mentioned a short story title toward the end of class that captured my imagination, but when I went to find it in my notes, it was not there.

Does anyone remember it? If so, can ya help a brother out?

See you all tomorrow.

Peace
Thomas

😀 [Edit by="talfera on Jan 18, 12:50:09 PM"]Scratch that. It seems, according to the calendar, we are not meeting tomorrow. My bad[/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Professor Pitelka’s lecture was very informative; it is truly incredible how Japan went from the Meiji period to become a world power. After a period of isolation, it is fascinating how the country modified western ideas and inventions to suit their customs and needs. During World War, The Japanese were innovative in the way they utilized the aircraft carriers rendering traditional Battleship engagements a thing of the past. It is sad however that country was manipulated by its military leaders to embark on an ill-fated world conquest campaign. That the fact the country was able to rebuild (with US aid) and enter a new period of peace is a testament to its people.

[Anonymous]

Professor Pitelka, you Rock!!! your leactures are so interesting that keep me focused taking notes of every single word you say. I loved your presentation about Imperial Japan and the Pacific War. The story of Japan's social fertility relevant to industrialization, economy, with factories of all kinds, sign of strong sense of power and pride. [Edit by="xvayas on Jan 18, 7:36:24 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone! Professor Pitelka is a really amazing lecturer. I'm so happy that I'm taking this class.

Thomas: The name of the short story that he mentioned was Masuji Ibuse's "Crazy Iris."

I'm really excited to use the information in today's lecture in my AP WH class. Right now in that class we're learning how China dominates Korea, Vietnam and Japan politically, so it will be really good for me to "flex my muscle" with my students and explain to them that this is only temporary because Japan will get their comeuppance!

I also really appreciate how Pitelka discusses gender relations and social hierarchies within the events he discusses with us. I really get a sense for how Japanese society worked! The story regarding the "Bargaining Note" prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor was fascinating! I'll have one more theory to offer my students when I get there!

[Anonymous]

I really was enlightened by the lecture this evening. For me, this lecture provided me a road map from the Japanese perspective for their eventual decision to attack Pearl Harbor and their military actions during World War II. A statement during the lecture that resonated with me was that in the Pacific War/Second World War, civilians became "fair-game" in terms of killing on a large scale by both sides. The nuclear bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki provide ample evidence for this statement.

[Anonymous]

This session gave me a real insight into the stratification of Japanese society, which opens another door in helping to understand a culture which is very different from my own. I found the session to be fascinating.

[Anonymous]

It is amazing to see how the Japanese have used the westerners, such as the Dutch, for their own advancement. They did not want all of the western culture and knowledge to seep into Japan, but chose which bits and pieces they could use and learn from. They would do this in order to surpass the power and might of western nations. They are great students, and then they become the professors.

[Anonymous]

Throughout history Japan has demonstrated their characteric trait of perserverence...
Thus it is their perserverence, strong work ethics and pride, which allows Japan to uphold positions in various parts of the world. In Hawaii, the government officials and teachers are of Japanese ancestry.Many hotels and golf courses are owned by Japanese companies. When you observe Japanese culture and their particulars to detail, exemplifies who they are. As people they are very hygiene conscious, one does not enter a Japanese home without removing their footware, which is a practice adopted by people in Hawaii, when you go to a traditional Japanese restaurant; you are given a warm towel, before entering a furo (hot bath) you are to shower off. Another custom of Japanese culture is omiyagi, whenever you visit you never show up empty handed. Japanese pride on humility and are easily offended when someone is showy or loud.
Japanese conscious of detail in their ikeda (floral arrangement), origami (paper folding), tea ceremony, taiko drumming. Their cuisine is also a fine example of their appeal detail as it is pleasant to the palat as well as to the eye, their automobiles lead the way to Go-Green (first designed and marketed in Japan then later to the U.S.), Seiko. Mikimoto, Mikasa, Nakamichi, Toshiba, Panasonic synomomist to quality and perfection of Japan...The Japanese have always looked up to the Western world determined to always one upped them...The fashion industry, cosmetic industry...Japan has moisterizers and sunscreen with a higher SPF then we do in the U.S. Their music, nite clubs... If people could afford to live in Japan they would...There is something about Japan and their culture that memorizes people...

[Anonymous]

Amine and Manga is what has brought to many young Americans their fascination with Asia. Professor Pitelka brought to light what an Anthropologist has concluded to many men fascination, obsession with Amine, e.g. Sailor Moon; there is a perversional intrigue.
As these innocent characters with large beautiful eyes, spin, in the process of the spinning they are undressing into their new costume. It surprises me, yet should not, as when one views how Japanese films are so detailed and dramatic: unlike classical films of old, leaves nothing to the imagination. It is unfortunate and disgusting how a creation so innocent and pretty to entertain young girls, fall to be victims. I would like to know what the sexual abuse or rape of younger girls rate in Japan is.

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