Historical Studies A-14 Tradition and Transformation in Japan Prof Andrew Gordon Dept of History

Structure of course Counts for Core (Historical Studies or Foreign Cultures), or Gen Ed (Societies of World) Twice weekly lectures Weekly discussion sections –Focus on readings –TFs: Konrad Lawson, head –Mikael Bauer, Martin Kroher Two papers, two exams –Historiography and document based

Goals of the course Convey knowledge of a long and fascinating particular history –In context of Asia –In context of world –Unpack “Japan”: multiple, re-formulated

Traditional Japan(s) Ancient Japan: an obsession with origins

Traditional Japan(s) Classical era: emperors and aristocrats

Traditional Japan(s) Medieval era: warriors as rulers Commoners into clearer view

Traditional Japan(s) Commoners into clearer view: women and men

Traditional Japan(s) Early Modern: Realm of Tokugawa Shogun Bureaucratic samurai; exuberant commoner culture

Goals of the course Convey knowledge of a long and fascinating particular history –In context of Asia –In context of world –Unpack “Japan”: multiple, re-formulated Examine issues of “history-making” more generally –Use of sources and texts –Arguments over evidence (historiography)

Arguing over evidence: Why is history ≠ “the (objective) past”? Too much to know No means of knowing No single true version

Goals of the course Convey knowledge of a long and fascinating particular history –In context of Asia –In context of world –Unpack “Japan”: multiple, re-formulated Examine issues of “history-making” more generally –Use of sources and texts –Arguments over evidence (historiography) –Dual relation of past to present As evolution As “appropriation”

Modern Japanese History Inseparable from large global history of modern times Dramatic Compressed

Japan’s 19 th century revolution Basil Hall Chamberlain: “to have lived through the transition state of modern Japan makes a man feel preternaturally old; for here he is in modern times, with the air full of talk about bicycles and bacilli…and yet he can himself distinctly remember the Middle Ages….Old things pass away between a night and a morning.

In architecture From castles To factories

In transport and communications From runners To Trains

In education From optional temple schools To compulsory state schools

In the economy From handlooms To factories

Political revolution: from ancient to modern monarch Meiji emperor, 1872Meiji emperor, 1888

Modern Transformations From modernization to modernity

Modern Transformations The “dark valley” of war

Modern transformations The “dark valley” of war

Contemporary Transformations To the bright new postwar life

Contemporary Transformations Global village via TV

Japan’s “Lost Decade”: America’s Future?

What country’s literary tradition can claim credit for the world’s first novel?

The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu

Kyoto Celebrates a 1,000-Year Love Affair The spirit of Murasaki Shikibu, author of Tale of Genji, abounds in Kyoto, as at a purification ceremony with period costumes at the Jonengu shrine. By MICHELLE GREEN Published: January 4,

What county is Japan’s top trading partner? People’s Republic of China

World Map with GNP projected to area

In what modern war did a non-Western power first defeat a major Western power?

The Russo-Japanese War of

This is the greatest phenomenon the world has ever seen. I could not believe it myself, when the report first reached me. As the second and third reports came, however, I grew so excited that I myself almost became like a Japanese, unable to attend to official duties and talking about (Japan’s victory) with everyone.

Noted the Japanese victory as a memorable moment in his early life; described it as a “great pick-me-up for Asia” which kindled nationalism and his determination to “fight for India.”

Name the director whose films inspired Hollywood blockbusters from The Magnificent Seven to Star Wars.

Akira Kurosawa ( )

HiroshigeVan Gogh

Great Wave off Kanagawa, by Hiroshige