Thoughts on Session #6 (Classical Japan)

[Anonymous]

Once again, an excellent workshop presentation. Dr. Yamashita filled three hours with important, interesting, useful information regarding Japan's origins. An explanation of vertical and horizontal cosmologies, hierarchies, and archaeological discoveries opened the door for me to an enhanced awareness of what constitutes Japan's early history. My apologies to all present for my stubborn cough eruptions. The good news is I feel much better today.

[Anonymous]

I was really tired last night (perhaps I also needed Coke Zero), and was sitting on the wrong side of the room to see the whiteboard. I didn't know how much of both governance and culture of classical Japan were influenced by China. I would like to look further into how the orignal mainland influence evolved into a more distincted Japanese model, such as the duel emperor/shogunate (I hope I did not doze through it when Prof. Yamashita went over it!). Perhaps it will be made clearer next time. I wiil stop by Starbucks first...
edited by eting on 5/1/2012

[Anonymous]

There was a lot of grasp for a three hour time period. Dr. Yamashita. The most interesting part of the lecture for me was the differences between Northern and Southern Japan. I went home and Google map the Emperor Nintoku's Tomb and it was pretty interesting. Looking forward to part two of his lecture.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed having my ipad with me and available wi-fi because I just googled maps and phrases he would throw out at us and got more info/ details about things. I loved, loved the part of the lecture about Shinto and I really was left wanting to hear more about it. I cannot wait for the warriors though, that is what I am really looking forward for next lecture.

[Anonymous]

I think most of us are taught--and based on our own observations--that the Japanese are a very homogeneous people. I'm sure this is what we say to our students. Thus it was a nice suprise to learn there are differences among Japanese. I did know a little bit already, such as how Japanese from Okinawa are looked down by others as less cultured and refined, but had no idea regarding the physical characteristic of Northern and Southern Japanese. To me it says Japan is also a country of immigrants like the United States, except the influx happened LONG ago, then stopped.

[Anonymous]

Having had an interest in "feudal" Japan that developed ever since the first time I saw "The Seven Samurai" with my dad, it was intriguing to look back quite a bit further. Did we really cover 10,000 years of history in three hours?

The intersection of Japanese/Korean/Chinese culture is very interesting to me. I had no idea that all three cultures were so closely related to one another. It really makes me wonder what it would take for our contemporary selves to see the similarities rather than focus on the differences. Is there enough of a shared foundation to overcome the nationalism/chauvinism that has developed over the course of the last couple hundred years?

How different would the world be if the interwoven nature of east Asia had held tighter.

The anecdote about Heian aristocracy and their use of poetry was also particularly entertaining. I actually used it as an example today!

steve

[Anonymous]

As someone mentioned, the white-board situation was difficult to follow, (I am a fervent note-taker) but I did enjoy all he had to share. I missed a good chunk of the differences in the Japanese population since I can never seem to make it across the valley in time.
As others have mentioned, I was surprised at how heavily influenced Japan was by China and Korea, as I had the perception that Japan was very advanced--perhaps influenced by the fact I teach Modern World and basically begin with the Meiji Restoration and industrialization of Japan.
I also am really intrigued by the Pillow Book, and have ordered it to add to my summer reading list.

[Anonymous]

I loved the texts that were shared in class and will definitely follow up on the parallel between English high society mores of the 1800's and the societal mores related in the pillow book of Sei Shonagon. England's facination with "Japonism" had roots!

[Anonymous]

Had to say the lecture was definitely packed with information the most interesting for me was seeing those artifacts from Emperor Nintoku's Tomb and to reflect on the thought processes for the construction of the tomb. Fascinating!!!! Can't wait for next weeks lecture- drawing me more and more excited to plan a trip and explore.

[Anonymous]

Professor Yamashita covered a lot about Japan’s origin in three hours. Now I have a better understanding of how Japan, Korea and China were closely related since ancient times. I am especially interested in the linguistic aspect of the Japanese language. I heard that Japanese grammar is very different from that of English and Chinese. Having heard Professor Yamashita translated the Confucian saying to Japanese, I can fully understand it now.

[Anonymous]

I love the class of Dr. Yamashita. Even though the 3 hours class packed with great information about Japan, Dr. Yamashita always give us time to ask questions. He is an inspirational professor, through his reading from the Pillow Book from Sei Shonagon, he inspired me to read this book. I am excited to learn that the Japanese gentlemen needs to learn art, poems, and hand writing in order to court a lady, because the lady will judge a man by how they fold the letter, what color and type of paper the man use, their hand writing, and the poem they use. If the lady accepts the man, she will reply him with another poem. That is so awesome. I am looking forward to attend Dr. Yamashita's class this coming Monday!

[Anonymous]

It was terrific to see professor Yamashita again after 25+ years. He has a wealth of information to share and I enjoyed learning how Japan fits into the history of east Asia, the ways in which it is intertwined and the manner in which it strives to set itself apart. I look forward to part two tomorrow night.

[Anonymous]

Found last week's lecture to be quite informative; I was particularly struck by the discussion of the mainland origins of the Japanese people and thought of the similar development on the islands on the opposite end of the eurasian landmass - England/Scotland and Ireland.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I was thinking that I should read Tale of Genji!

[Anonymous]

I might try to bring in some images of Nintoku's tomb alongside Qin Shi Haungdi's tomb to emphasize the commonalities found within the earliest governments.....

[Author]

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