Thoughts about 4th session

[Anonymous]

I finally understand what all those red marks are on examples of Chinese calligraphy from dynastic age!!! I never bothered to look it up, but always noticed them. Thanks to the afternoon's session I can now tell my students that they were seals of ownership.

It was also very interesting when Professor Ye discussed the fact that you can tell who a particular calligrapher studied under just by looking at their style and work. Amazing!

[Anonymous]

Saturday's presentation was exceptional.
It was interesting to see how much of the art/written language China is responsible for. I am curious to see how the Japanese will respond to these claims. I had also been curious about the red marks on art. It's curious to see that they add value to art of that age due to their historical importance. I was quite excited about how he connected China's influence to Russia via political ideologies and other philosophies outside of Asia such as his reference to Schopenhaur's World as Will and Idea. I'd like to learn more about ideologies in Asia that did NOT put an emphasis on asceticism.

[Anonymous]

The calligraphy was amazing and very inspiring. It would be great to teach some characters to my students, in the traditional way. The focus on discipline and meditation would be a great way to help my students focus.

I also forgot to mention about the 3rd session that I loved the way Professor Ye chanted Du Fu's "Ascending the Height". Amazing. It was great how he went over the poem in English first, pointing out the alliterations in Chinese concerning the falling leaves and rolling waves, and then performed for us. This was really a highlight for me.

[Anonymous]

I agree that the calligraphy presentation was interesting. I had considered taking a calligraphy class years ago, but had not pursued it. After being informed by Professor Ye that the art of calligraphy has been on the decline for many years, I am inspired to begin studying this beautiful art form. Is it possible that there are master teachers somewhere in Southern California who value this art form as much as the ancient Chinese. If so, I hope to be fortunate enough to be taught by them. 😀

[Anonymous]

I think we're supposed to be replying about Dr. Yamashita's session about early Japan, so I'll guess I'll start.

I really enjoyed discussing Sei Shonagon's book. I love how, at first, we all thought that she was terribly arrogant, condescending, and unfeeling based on the excerpt. However, as we discussed the excerpt and the idea of "feeling" being expressed in aesthetic principles, poetry, and even their clothing, Sei Shonagon's opinions about the carpenters became significantly clearer and made complete sense. She still sounded arrogant and such, but now we had the context to place her condescension in. I would really enjoy having this discussion with my students because I know their comprehension at the end of the discussion would really blow them away and they'd probably run with the idea the weird high-school way that they do.

[Anonymous]

It was a skillfully structured and highly informative exposition that filled out some of the gaps in my knowledge about the Japanese history and culture, especially in the East Asian context as a whole. I also liked the parallels the lecturer made with other cultures and this is exactly what I am looking for - the place of East Asia in the cultural puzzle of the global village.

[Anonymous]

Prof. Yamashita helped us understand Japanese origins, culture and political structure. I've enjoyed very much his idea to present his lecture in the format of puzzles. I am planning to borrow his idea in some of my future lessons. As other colleagues stated his knowledge gainfully added to our East Asia journey. In addition I was also excited by the books he has introduced and they are already on my list to read-maybe the Thanksgiving week off will be the best time to do it.

[Anonymous]

What struck me most about Dr. Yamashita's presentation was the frequency with which Japanese people change their names. It's particularly striking for a culture that is so hierarchichal. One would think a person's name is everything-- their class, their status, their lineage, etc. But apparently not. It must make it somewhat difficult for Japanese people to trace their roots, other than that they're Japanese. But maybe that's all that really matters.

[Anonymous]

Professor Yamashita helped me to better understand the origins of the people in Japan. He went farther back than I had ever even thought to study.... I never knew that there was a land bridge connecting the islands to the mainland of Asia! I thought the competing theories of the establishment of the first dynasty in Japan was awesome. I can see how Japanese would be super offended by the Horse Rider Hypothesis!
I also had never really understood the contents of The Tale of Genji and the Pillow Book....I have taught my students about them as examples of the literary culture of Heian Japan, but now I feel better prepared to go into detail and even have them read passages.

[Anonymous]

After listing to our 4th session I was very interested about the different asian cultures have developed. It has really changed my perspective of the Asian continent. I now look at the region as many different islands of culture and not one amalgamated cultural mixing pot. Yes there has been a lot of mixing of culture in a historical sense. However, the Asia we see today is one of many different peoples with more differences than similarities.

[Anonymous]

I found the discussion about the Imperial Tombs to be of great interest. In addition, I am rather fascinated by how the Japanese carefully guard their past and its myths.

[Anonymous]

What struck me most by the Professor Yamashita was that there were no surnames for most of Origin Japanese(about 95%). And also it is surprising to learn that Japanese can change their surnames as long as they don't like their surnames, which is unbelievable from Chinese traditions. I assume that It must be very difficult to trace their ancestors.I also feel it intersting that Chinese Characters were men's language in Japan while Japanese syllabary was designed for Japanese women.

[Anonymous]

what I enjoyed most about Dr. Yamashita's presentation was not only his passion on the subject, but how truthful he was about japanese secrets and stereotypes. I thought it was really interesting that the Japanese will not discuss how their royal family might actually come from Korean ancestors.

[Anonymous]

I was curious about the Japanese perspective on the aspects of their culture that came from the Chinese and other areas. It was interesting to see how written language among other things are in fact credited to the Chinese. The origins of the Japanese were intriguing as well. This was all new to me. I was very interested in the Pillow Book, (I believe that was the name). Perspectives on issues such as these can be complicated. I was wondering if people who had perspectives such as the author truly looked down upon these people, or expected them to perhaps try harder(?). I was reminded of the phrase: "clean living under difficult circumstances." I can't recall where that comes from though.

[Anonymous]

This presentation on classical Japan definitely helped connect the dots for me. I am curious to read the two novels he shared with us. I would like to read them and most definitely find a way to share them with my students.

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