Summary of 11/29/2011 UTLA East Asia Class: Establishment of the Tokugawa Order, Vendettas, and the Meiji Restoration

[Anonymous]

William Tsutsui of Southern Methodist University spoke on the rise in the popularity of Japanese ANIME and its relation to historical periods in Japanese history.

The global ascent of pop culture has grown exponentially. In short Japanese cartoons and Japanese inspired films contributes to our cultural, material, and everyday lives. The impact of Japanese culture can be seen in American architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright, manufacturing, and fashion, to name a few.
Western scholars have only begun to explore the global appeal of Japanese pop culture. There is something inherent in Japanese esthetics, culture, language, and creed that non-Japanese cherish.

It is much more than distribution channels, novelty, or a fad. There is a "other worldliness" in the creativity in Japanese society that gives it a global appeal.

Ironically, the creativity of the Japanese is in direct contradiction to the perceived (or real) repressiveness within the Japanese culture. Pop culture vehicles of cartoons, film, fashion, and design seem to "release" latent emotions and beliefs that may not be acceptable to express in other public venures.

From Godzilla to Hello Kitty, Sailor Moon, Pokemon, and Power Rangers, films, cartoons and graphic novels or comics are embraced by non-Japanese kids and adults alike.

Even Bollywood is perplexed by the success of Japanese ANIME in America that Bollywood fails to replicate. It is estimated that 1,000,000 people go to movie theatres every day in larger cities in India. So, imagine Bollywood's surprise when there is little to no interest in Bollywood Anime by global audiences.

In turn, Japan learns and understands a little more about American culture as we respond positively to their pop culture.

I will use Japanese ANIME as an example of "soft power". Students will discuss and determine if "soft power" (e.g., student and teacher exchanges, language courses sponsored by The Japan Society, cultrual trips abroad, hobbies, media, ANIME) has a greater impact than "hard power" (e.g., food sanctions, armed conflict). They will write their answers in a paragraph format in groups of four and debate about the advantages and disadvantages of both.
edited by cwatson on 12/29/2011

[Anonymous]

In Japan, that which is widely favored by many people is considered the acceptable standard to culture and that which is "LEFT OVER" is CONSIDERED "SUBSTANDARD".
Japanese government has used ubiquitous ANIME as a diplomatic tool for soft power.
ANIME "Effectively reflects JAPANESE SENSITIVITIES" to forbidden topics which are rarely discussed or addressed in Japanese society.
WILLIAM TSUTAUI, "JAPANESE POPULAR CULTURE AND GLOBALIZATION", 2010
DOUGLAS MCGRAY, "GROSS NATIONAL COOL",
The question remains: why were the arts chosen as a venue in which women and men could express themselves?
In the arts there is 400 to 1,000 readership. The viewer brings 50% or more of the information needed to interpret codes in pictures. Consequently, these become iconic references for viewers.

For example, Women were not allowed to read classical Chinese, nor were they allowed to discuss politics, but they could express themselves in art: drawings and pictures. It is for this reason that prints and paintings contain hidden and overt symbols and messages.

Although women were viewes as being subservient to men, they were trained in poetry and the arts and many were highly educated, not for largess, but to become good marriage partners for hierarchy in JAPANESE CULTURE.
Japanese films run "hot or cold". meaning they are either very violent or are very tender. "THE BOOK OF TEA" THE AUTHOR THEORIES: "JAPAN IS LIKE A MUSEUM WHERE ITEMS WASH ONTO THE SHORES OF JAPAN FROM CHINA, INDIA, AND EUROPE AND IS THEN STYLIZED BY JAPANESE".

Perhaps the graphic images and characters as portrayed in Japanese pop culture evokes feelings that all humans share - albeit in a very engaging way.

Students will compare and contrast how women in Japanese society overcame restrictions through art and poetry (which was an acceptable way for women to express themselves) and how American women found subversive ways to talk forbidden topics.
edited by cwatson on 12/29/2011

[Anonymous]

The Chinese Communist Party won over the National Party which is known as the Guomandong Party. At the time of the battle between the Nationalist Party and the Communist Party, America sided with the Nationalists.

Most of those in Sun Yat Sen's Nationalist Party, as represented by the blue and white flag, fled to Taiwan, while Mao Se Dong's Communist Party (as represented by a red flag with a few yellow stars) staked their territory in what we now call the People's Republic of China.
Marx said, "AlL HISTORY IS ECONOMIC HISTORY AND ECONOMIC HISTORY IS THE STORY OF ONE CLASS SUBJUGATED THE PROLETARIAT (WORKERS)
Every town, village and each committee has a party secretary. This Communist Party structure is pervasive as each member is required to uphold discipline and the tennants of the Communist Party doctrine which includes spying and reporting on those who don't. It is how the Communist Party rules a geographical area as large as China from 1949 until 1980.

By 1949 there were 1,000,000 COMMUNIST PARTY MEMBERS; China's population at that time was 6,000,000 people. On 2011, the Communist Party has 70,000,000 members out of about 1 billion people.

In an attempt to unify and centralize thought and dispel pluralism, if the "PARTY" issues a pronouncement, it serves as everyone's opinion; the state is the womb.
Membership in the Communist Party is rewarded by better jobs, better schools and money for scholarships.

The process of "unifying" thought among the Chinese population was rather brutal. Land reform meetings consisted of "Speak Bitterness" sessions which cost the lives of 5, 000,000 people.

To build the power of the Communist Party, the Chinese government had to shatter the power of the local elite through humiliation, osctracisim, taking their land and limiting landlord access to the Communist Party (until 1980).

Students will compare and contrast China's "Worker Revolution" with the "Occupy Wallstreet" protests (the 99%)" using a graphic organizer. Then students will answer the following questions:

1) What are the similarities and differences between these two social disobedience events?
2) What outcomes arose from each of these historical events?
3) Were there advantages and disadvantages for both events.
edited by cwatson on 12/29/2011

[Anonymous]

Professor Yamashita discussed the challenges of the Meiji Restoration in Japan.

The Meiji gov't in 1868 faced 8 problems:

LEADERSHIP of MEIJI GOV'T

1) The leadership of the Meiji government had 100 leaders who wanted to lead, represented from Nativists, Aristocracy (Emperor), senior warriors (supported overthrow of Tokagawa, and a small group of young warriors (born between 1830 and 1940)
Soldiers slept with soles of feet facing towards EDO as a way to say "up yours Shogun"

2) Difficult problem, warriors received a salary because of their birthright- it was a HUGE drain on the main government and national government, for doing nothing

3) 1877- final battle between sozsu and government forces were portrayed in "The Last Samurai"
Today in Kiushu, certain warrior customs and rituals are preserved in the southern islands of Japan and elsewhere in that area.
Kiushu is green and volcanic. The men are regarded as down to earth.

4) The resistance continued to protest for a voice in the new government.
Fortunately, in 1871, the new government was open to new ideas and they took a trip to NYC to learn about American government and its customs.
The IRAKURA MISSION in DECEMBER 1871, left JAPAN by boat and remained overseas until December 1873.

While in San Francisco, they happened upon a cowboy at the hotel in SF who began firing into the air.
They were about to draw their swords until someone explained that this behavior is very common.

Secretary of State Seward welcomes the Japanese delegation with a ball, but the Japanese had never been to a ball. The Japanese guests
did not dance at the ball and documented the ball as though they landed onto another planet; it was a VERY strange event for them to behold.

The writings of Rouseau, Locke, and Till were translated into Japanese and found in a few Japanese schools. These translations began to appear and circulate.

In 1876, Russia defeated France in the Franco-Prussian war. It was from these readings that the Japanese based their government on that of Prussia.

The Japanese parlimentary elections became the first parliamentary elections to be held outside the west (women's involvement in the agitation of the 70s and 80s - Smith College professor wrote a book).

5) Japan had huge economic problems and debts; in 1887, the Japanese governement had 100% inflation, which was due to government payouts of 565,000,000 (YEN)lump sum payments to warriors and government expenditures of 81,000,000 (Yen).

If Japan hoped to close their deficit, taxation in 1869 resulted in paltry government revenues totaling 46,000,000 (Yen), but the Japanese government expenditures were 81,000,000

To combat this economic problem, MATSUKATA introduced massive deflationary policies which impovershed farmers. Some of these farmers escaped to Hawaii and
California.

UNEQUAL TREATIES-

The Unequal Treaties dictated that Japanese could not levy tarriffs on WESTERN IMPORTS, especially since they were preferrable to hand-made, hand-woven products. Unfortunately, this law impoverished those whose livelihood came from making these products.

Eventually the Japanese government shifted the trade imbalance with America in the 1890s by building machines to mass-produce (industrializing) goods.

Taxes were raised taxes in order to raise revenue for the Japanese government and taxing tobacco proved to be a huge revenue booster too, and the Japanese used a Western style banking system.

6) EXTRATERRITORIALITY CLAUSE-

The Extraterritoriality Clause established that Westerners, who committed crimes in Japan, must be tried in Western court since Japanese courts were thought to be barbaric and backwards. It put additional pressure on Japan to Westernize its legal system and transportation, dress, architechture, and overall infrastructure.

CHINA agreed to and continued this practice until WWII when it became an ally of the US.

Stage coaches, horse-drawn carriages, jim-rickshaws, and bicycles appeared on Japanese streets, but their streets were not condusive to these modes of transport.
Japanese civilians and government officials wore Western dress while Japanese upper class houses had WESTERN motifs and architecture, department store, restaurant, bank, Red Cross hospital. A hall for ballroom dancing and costume parties.

Consequently, the Japanese become WESTERN STYLE imperialists. They built a national style railway system, a postal system, a national compulsory education system which is required for K-6th grade.

In the 1880s, the Western novel is discovered as is Western music; Shakespeare is translated into Japanese.

After WWII, all buildings which reflected a Western influence were relocated from the NEGY VILLAGE to outside the city of NAGOYA.

7) IMPERIALISM PROBLEM- Prussia and Britain help build Japan's army and navy.

Prussian General warns Japan about Korea. Metaphorically speaking, the Prussian general cautioned Japanese leaders that "Korea is a 'dagger pointed at Japan'", therefore they must militarize in order to survive. So, the Japanese create an army with help from Prussia and a navy with help from the British. The British have a two ocean navy in the Atlanic and the Pacific; Britain's Royal Navy was the dominant power without rival from the 1890s to the early 1900s.

8)SINO-JAPANESE War-

Japanese used their new ships to defeat the Chinese and Ching (QIN) dynasty (which was in its last throws). In the RUSSO-JAPANESE War, the Japanese initially suffer huge casualties, but return home triumphant after changing their strategy using a particular formation. Japan treats its Russian prisoners kindly and are praised by the Western government for treating their enemies kindly.

The main questions for students is to answer the following questions to compare and contrast the shift in cultural "soft power" between Japan and America:

1)What changes did the Japanese people make in order to be viewed by Westerners as a civilized culture?

2) Why did the Japanese relocate all building which reflected a Western influence from Negy to another more remote location?

3) How does this action reflect their thoughts on Westernization?

4) Japan Westernized much of its infrastructure, but at what cost to Japanese society?

5) Did the Japanese government move these Western buildings as a way to set a boundaries on Westernization and ultimately, Western influence on the Japanese people and nation?

6) What are some ways that ethinic minorities change in order to be accepted by the majority in American society?

7) How does Japan influence America through its use of "soft power" (e.g., ANIME, Japanese designer, toys, electronics)?
edited by cwatson on 12/29/2011

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Professor Samuel Yamashita from Pomona College spoke about the birth pangs of the establishment of the Tokugawa Order, the subsequent vendettas and the Meiji Restoration.

Of interest were the AINU people of Japan, who are caucasion in appearance and who are also related to KENUWAK TRIBE. Many have blonde hair and follow Native American mythology.
During the establishment of the Tokugawa Order, land was distributed in the wake of the victory. Outside lords who fought on the wrong side had their lands decreased. Allies were moved around his territory as a buffer and hereditary lords were relocated to areas surrounding the Outside lords to keep an eye on them.
Had to eliminate Toyatoya Ideiodioshi. So the first seige on OSAKA CASTLE (Moats 100 yards wide) failed. The second attempt was successful as they cut off the water supply.
However, the system of feudalism had decentralized power, which is always unstable. So, the goal was to create a system where allies and enemies are loyal to you because in feudalism you can not trust anyone. The key to the success of the Tokugawa Order was to find institutions that make people not want to challenge central authority, create order, thereby achieving peace.

In this institution, there were several pronouncements and laws which had to be followed:
1) He gave special ranks and titles to priests, reduced the power of other lords by absorbing their lands (outside lords).
2) He limited the number of castles (1,000 all over Japan); instead of 100 castles for 1 Lord, each Lord had only 1 castle.
3) The major vassals of Lord SHIMAZUS used huge hege rows and the hedge rows 8 feet high and 3 feet thick with one entrance into and out of the house. In doing so they created a mini-castle.
4) Marriages, adoptions had to be approved or punishment would be meeted out.
5) The "Hostage System" was an alternate attendance system whereby one takes one's enemy hostage. Chin and Han Dynasty and KORIO kings (after defeat by Mongols) were forced to live in BEJING. It was a foster care system. It kept their enemies poor since they had to keep two residences fully staffed- one in Edo, and one in a castle town; it absorbed 70% to 80% of goods that enemies could produce.

6) Overall, these edits (laws) created a new political system for their own domains.
7) In 1549 priests converted Lords and Ladies in Harems (CONCUBINES).

8) It was thought that Christians would cause problems or challenge the social order like the Buddists did. So, to remove this preceived or realized threat, Christitans were tortured or burned at the stake. As a result, Christian survivors left Japan or went underground, otherwise they would be martryed.

9) For some reason, the Dutch (who were Christians) were allowed to stay and assisted the Japanese in their fight against (other) Christian strongholds.
Perhaps Dutch Christians were spared martydom since they helped the Japanese rid the nation of Christians.

10) Purging of the Christian minority and converts was part of the xenophobia or restricted foreign travel and immigration to Japan from 1633 to 1639 Japan.

With a focus on religion, students will compare and contrast Japanese purging of Christians from 1633 to 1639 with that of Japanes attitudes towards Christians and Japanese Christian converts in present day Japan.
edited by cwatson on 12/29/2011

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