Critical period

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…

The turnover from the Tokugawa period to the Meiji is historically seen as a Japan entering a new age of modernization and industrialization to reach western levels of civilization. Tokugawa as a traditional, old fashioned age while Meiji metaphorically as opening itself up to new ideas and western ways of thinking. The Meiji era was a time where Japan opened itself up to western influence. This romanticized way of viewing Meiji as a triumphant time of growing industry and capitalism is, however…

While cheerful and bright melodies are used to represent Mozart’s early years in his short lives, the prelude of the opera “Don Giovanni” composed by Mozart after the death of Leopold Mozart – Mozart’s father – indicates the relationship between Mozart and Leopold and shows the process how Salieri set his scheme foreshadowing the death of Mozart. First of all, the opera “Don Giovanni” suggests the abnormal relationship between Mozart and his father. In the film, Mozart is illustrated as a…

Shotoku at Two Years, made in the late 13th century, is a wooden sculpture depicting Shotoku Taishi, a famous historical and political figure in Japanese culture, as a young child praying. The piece is made of wood, crystal and pigments. This work is 53 cm high, 20 cm wide. This figure is about the size of a small toddler. Despite its small size, It is overwhelming in the sense that it depicts a future ruler as an innocent child. The piece of work appears to be delicate in both subject matter as…

Japan’s Edo period, lasted from 1603 to 1867, would be the final era of traditional Japanese government, culture and society before the Meiji Restoration of 1868; when the Tokugawa shoguns and citizens transformed the country into the modern era. For instance, Japan during Edo feared that European missionaries might spread out the Christianity in Japan, therefore they decided to isolate themselves to defend their culture, society and religion. The Edo period then began to be challenged as Japan…

The political revolution of the modernization stage allowed Japan to strengthen its internal government and external interests. Prior to Japan’s attempt to introduce an advanced government, the emperor overthrew the Shoguns and restored his supreme power, which is also known as the Meiji Restoration. Under the emperor’s reliable, centralized government, rather than numerous Shoguns, Japan united. The new government acted as the catalyst that emboldened Japan’s will to modernize and led a…

Western ideas being installed in Japan in order to raise their nation to the level of the US and of Europeans nations. They believed that to accomplish this they needed to reform their education system, their government and their society. During this period, this movement which originated from the Meiji’s government Westernizing changes in culture (clothing, nutrition and western weaponry) went beyond the government’s actions. For example, they argued in favor of natural rights of freedom and…