Classical period

Grant Voth provides details about the Tale of Genji. The Tale of Genji is a Japanese literary work written by Murasaki Shikibu during the Heian period. It is considered as the first novel written in the world. The Tale of Genji focuses on Genji, who is the son of an emperor and demoted to a commoner after he was born. The reason why Genji’s father demoted his son to a commoner was in order to protect him. Genji’s father (i.e., the emperor) had many wives, who are constantly competing with…

Introduction Rattus Ebola Virus (REV) is an emerging viral hemorrhagic disease that is making a lot of noise through out the nation. REV, which is classified under the family of Ebolavirus, is a deadly virus vectored by Anophels bradleyi mosquito and has almost a 99% mortality rate. The disease is extremely fatal, and there have been no medical treatment that has any positive effects. It is critical to the break the chain between the links of this virus immediately to prevent any further…

Our next example will take us to the Tale of Heike that happened during the Kamakura period. The Tale of Heike tells us a story about the two clans (Genji clan and Taira clan) that fight for their ideology and freedom. Two interesting characters that can be derived from this tale would be the story of Taira no Kiyomori and Minamoto Yoshitsune. Taira no Kiyomori of Taira clan is a character that is not just consequential in the Tale of Heike, but he also plays a very…

Keji Nakazawa’s graphic narrative Barefoot Gen illustrates a nation ruled by imperialism. The author demonstrates this by the Nakaoka family who suffers greatly under the Imperial Japanese army. The army is controlled by the Emperor who rules as a dictator. In the narrative Nakazawa’s use of feet symbolizes the oppressive rule of the Emperor in Japan. Specifically, the two covered feet crushing the wheat exemplifies the strength of the wheat in being strong and tall. While the…

Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation" King not only preached nonviolence, he practiced it. He used words rather than fists, and marches rather than guns. King's ability to rise above the common misconception of the need to fight fire with fire, and be morally better than his oppressors was mind numbing. To be violent while making a moral stand ruins the moral stand. King's moral courage is so provocative because of his commitment…

During the Heian period, a patriarchal system exists where women are treated as the inferior species. Women are usually thought as passive beings who lacks the intelligences to master complex language like Chinese or physical talents to be a warrior. Moreover, the main role of women were to write poetry and be a disposal source of entertainment for men. Although these social norms may exists, some women are bold and powerful enough to make men feel inferior, which shows efforts to resists these…

Japan consists of one of the most culturally rich societies in the world, one of which through history has been greatly affected by the other cultures around it. America has specifically played a huge influence in Japan since the Meiji Period and continues to do so today (Bognar 47f). In fact, “Much of today's Japanese culture is derivative of or responds to American culture” (47). But is America’s influence necessarily a good thing? The westernization, or more specifically the…

known as “Takekurabe”, which translates to “growing up”, the children of the story cross the line that separates child from adult during a period of individualism and edification. Although “Child’s Play” embraces the purity of the coming-of-age theme, it adds darker elements in order to show the realistic sides to growing up. Despite how the Meiji restoration period provides chances to practice self-interests, society forces upon the children certain roles that it expects them to partake in…

1. The Tokugawa period is that from 1600-1868 while the Meiji period is from 1868-1912. During the Tokugawa period, there were various levels of class including Samurai, Farmer, Artisans, Merchants, and outcasts (aka hinin or burakumin). The Samurai and burakumin were especially important matters during that time as Samurai’s served as retainers for Daimyos and other government bodies within the domains of Japan. The Tokugawa period was a time of harsh punishment and fear. Much of the…

social and economic demands. An interpretation of this could therefore be that neither religion nor social and economic issues was the sole reason, but they went hand-in-hand to cause these rebellions. This can’t be generalised to all rebellions in the period 1536-1588 however, as shown by Kett’s rebellion. This was a rebellion led by Robert Kett in 1549, and was mainly about the issue of enclosure, but also about other social issues, such as the rising food prices. Kett drew up a list of…