Literature of Ancient Japan

Historical Highlights (488-9) Heian Period –High Point of imperial rule –Highly cultured court develops. Those of the court painted, wrote poetry, and participated in elaborate ritual Feudal system

H.H. (cont.) Kamakura Period –Daimyo Military governors –Oversaw the samurai –Oversaw specific regions

H.H. (cont.) Warring states period –Civil war all over Japan –Tremendous power struggle –Pay offs – very political

H.H. (cont.) Tokugawa Period –Edo Japan’s capital –Edo becomes Tokyo –“closed country policy” established until 1854 »Reaction to rapid spread of Christianity »Christians are persecuted

People and Society (490-91) Rulers –Emperor Highest position in Japanese society –Never seen by common people –Symbolic –Held no political power –Shogun Military dictators –Real power –Ruled in emperor’s name –Daimyo Answered to the shogun –Every other year in the capital

P and S (cont.) Samurai –Elite class of warriors loyal to daimyo –Followed Bushido (way of the warrior) – expected to show courage, reverence for gods Many also practiced Zen Buddhism (form of self- discipline and living in harmony w/ nature) –Only group allowed to carry swords –Strict code of honor

P and S (cont.) Peasants –Made up about 80% of population –Not allowed to carry swords or use their family names –paid hefty taxes (half of harvest) –Were told what to produce, when to work, what to eat, etc. –Some had to sell family members Eventually rebelled

P and S (cont.) Artisans and merchants - roofers, masons, carpenters, swordsmiths Some swordsmiths became close with samurai –Merchants not respected because they did not produce anything. However, many lived in prosperity. –Became more well-respected over time

P and S (cont.) Women in Early Japan –If men died in warfare, some women went to war themselves –“The supreme duty of a woman was to honor the men in her life” –Typical Japanese women were peasants who took care of the home.

Arts and Culture (492-93) Theater –Noh Oldest form –Masks, formal language, mime, gestures –Kabuki Colorful costumes History/contemporary urban life –Bunraku Puppet theater

A and C (cont.) Painting – usually representative of nature –Beauty and tradition –Black ink –Woodblock prints

A and C (cont.) Literature –Excelled in poetry Tanka –31-syllable lyrical poems that deal with nature and love Haiku –17-syllable poem that presents images of nature

A and C (cont.) Religion and Architecture –Shinto “way of the gods” Reverence for nature No complex rituals –Buddhism More complicated Eliminate attachment to material things to achieve peace –Zen Spiritual enlightenment through both self-discipline and meditation

A and C (Cont.) Architecture –Religious building –Inspired modern buildings as well Japanese always try for harmony with nature

Connect to Today (496-97) Food Art Zen Fashion Nature

Time honored tradition

Mt. Fuji – tallest mountain/volcano in Japan

Hiroshima – only structure left standing after the bomb

Guns/Hunting illegal in Japan Monkeys and deer are not afraid of human interaction

Golf in Japan One cart per foursome. It stays on the path on a type of track (like a train). One member of the foursome has a button remote that starts and stops the cart. The locker rooms are like country club style with an Onsen bathing pool.

Golf Continued Cost for golf in Japan is a range roughly between $100-$ hour driving ranges are popular and more practical for people who want to learn golf. They have double and triple deck driving ranges in the cities. We would sometimes work until 11pm, grab a sandwich at the 7-11 and head over to the driving range. pretty cool.

Here endeth the lesson Andrew C. Jackson, 2007 Patrick W. Danz 2014