Thoughts about the 6th session

[Anonymous]

Vendetttas! Enough said. The fact that you could apply and have a "revenge" plot approved by the shogunate is almost unbelievable. Professor Yamashita makes it seem as though we are getting the underground info on the warrior governments of Japan. He also has a way of talking about violence and suicide with maybe THE most calm voice of any professor I have ever had!

[Anonymous]

One of the most impressive, in my opinion, points in this session was the parallel between the Japanese and European feudalism. Similar (to some extent) circumstances have led to similar (to some extent) developments. I do not only enjoy the small “discoveries” the audience can make just by following the lecturer; it is the usual product of the comparative approach to historical facts, events, and phenomena. I think that this is the way to familiarize larger culturally, educationally, or professionally inhomogeneous audience with the universals and specifics of the gradually, but not slowly, “shrinking” world.

[Anonymous]

Re: Vendettas.
I agree, at first glance it’s quite strange to “legalize the revenge”. But isn’t it in way “Prop 19”?

[Anonymous]

Yup, the vendetta information was brilliant. I think I actually want to use it during my Othello unit to discuss whether or not Iago has any basis to apply for a vendetta against Othello. Prof. Yamashita mentioned how he needed to publish all the information he gave us in a book; well, I readily agree with that! I would love to read about other vendettas and any other information he didn't have time to share with us.

[Anonymous]

Interesting thought above on the calm demeanor of Professor Yamashita while presenting on violence and vendettas. It made it that much more interesting. Highly interesting subject; vendettas. It's a curiosity of mine to find out how many of those who carried out vendettas, later became lawmakers. I would like to hear more on the samurai codes.

[Anonymous]

Of course vendettas! The Japanese had such a civilized way of getting even!

[Anonymous]

Vendetta and the soft, soothing voice of Professor Yamashita-quite interesting, I agree. I was impressed also by one of his statements that the warriors were not loyal, quite opposite. I must say that at younger age as a result of the fairy tales I also thought knights, samurais were very much loyal and courageous.

[Anonymous]

This was my favorite session so far. Professor Yamashita is indeed an engaging teacher. But the subject matter for this week's session also helped to make it fascinating-- castles, feudal kingdoms, samurai warriors, medieval weapons and tactics, and of course vendettas. I can see students of all ages just eating this stuff up!
I enjoyed the comparisons between Japanese and European feudalism. The striking similarities between everything from castle design to warrior codes seems to be much more than coincidence. I wonder which influenced which??
I also really enjoyed glancing at one of the books Prof. Yamashita passed around the class. It had the Samurai warrior code of ethics. It was quite amusing, especially the part about what kind of prostitute to patronize. It made me laugh.

[Anonymous]

Oh my! I would have hated to live in those times! Vendettas! I will see this being part of the legalist philosophy. It is very interesting to see that violence was a way to promote safety and stop crime. I guess psychologically it makes sense but I would have hated to be a part of government and setting those Vendettas. Or even worse yet to have a Vendetta be placed on one of my family members.

[Anonymous]

Having lived in Japan for a bit of time, hearing about a form with research involved in exacting a vendetta on another individual falls in line with what I remember being in a Japanese office. To do anything that required departmental participation, everyone, and I mean everyone had to interact with the form, meaning letting it sit on his desk for at least a day before the request form was attended to. I can only imagine the amount of manpower involved in making a vendetta kosher with the government.

[Anonymous]

I agree with J Baxter, professor Yamashita is an excellent and engaging speaker, plus he likes baseball. Some of the stories that he related captivated my interest. I forget that each culture has its own stories, similar, somewhat to our stories of heroism, such as the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and our heroes such as John Paul Jones, Paul Revere etc.

I also really enjoyed hearing more about the Castles too, and how large they were, and where they located. I particularly enjoyed when he was telling us how he visited the family and brought the chocolates that had to first be shared with the dead grandfather.

[Anonymous]

I also enjoyed the information about vendettas. I have been trying to think of a way to incorporate them in to my global issues class. Any suggestions? I enjoyed the castles also but I don't think they fit in to my stnadards.

[Anonymous]

Talk about an oxymoron, Vendettas (violence) is the answer to have safety and stop crime and is accepted! What a time to have lived in Japan! Prof. Yamashita not only captivated our interest but also gave us an inside to myths we had glamorized for years. As most people, we only knew what we saw on tv or in the movies. Unfortunately, that was the American perspective. The real stories were more intriguing. I think the entire class was amazed by his lecture. After all, who doesn't enjoy a good story of Shogun and Samurais?
I agree that Prof Yamashita's voice had a lot to do with his delivery and our attention. In addition, we all saw the similarities between Japan and Europe, during the feudalism period. Who influenced whom?

[Anonymous]

Vendettas. Hot topic. I am amazed by the efficiency of the Japanese to recognize and control an element of humanity. It would be interesting to write a simulation, of course a sanitized, non-violent simulation, of the vendetta as part of a health class. I think we all want justice when we have been wronged. Could we find and regulate a way to carry this out as an alternative to the growing violence in our schools and communities. This could be a way of channeling the impulsive energy of adolescents into the least destructive denominator and diffuse further conflict. Hmmm

[Anonymous]

This session was exceptionally captivating. I know my students will be easily engaged in this topic. A brief research assignment would be especially beneficial in by furthering students curiosity and understanding.

[Author]

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