Edo period

A Comparison of Japanese and European Feudalism Feudalism is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “the system of political organization prevailing in Europe from the 9th to about the 15th centuries having as its basis the relation of lord to vassal with all land held in fee and as chief characteristics homage, the service of tenants under arms and in court, wardship, and forfeiture.” Feudalism dictated much of the Medieval era in Europe, but lasted much longer, and more successful, in Japan,…

the fog in the atmosphere, Japan has found its new beginning after many years of war. The Sengoku period or also known as the Warring States period (1467-1573), involved violent wars in which certain daimyos wanted a whole empire. This was known as the ‘Onion War’, where the daimyos overpowered the shoguns and the shoguns had no control over the country. As the ‘Confucian philosophers in that period, Mencius and Hsun-tzu stated, ‘‘It was a time of great intellectual ferment’’. These wars were…

People do not often listen to traditional Japanese music; but when they do, it is usually considered by most to be very smooth and peaceful. Shinto was one of the earliest main types of music ever recorded; and was also one of their main religions. This type of music was considered free; as people were able to play what they wanted to, but it became formal, as it progressed over the years. Afterwards, the age of Gagaku came about from the Chinese Buddhists, during ancient times; and was…

Horio Yoshiharu was a daimyo during the Edo period in Japan, But in a vassal’s family, in 1542, was when his life story truly began. His father was a member of the Iwakura Oda clan, Until their defeat by Oda Nobunaga, which was not part of the plan. Now a wandering samurai without a master during the chaotic Age of Warring States, Yoshiharu’s father left his family with an uncertain fate. But during this time, Yoshiharu developed an inner strength, and a sense of peace: Qualities that helped…

Culture, Zen monks create expressions of enlightment, using silk as the backdrop and very few brushstrokes ranging from a simple circle to a painting of Buddha. The works from the Kagetsu An Collection show a wide range of Zen art from Japan’s Edo period (1600-1868) to the 20th century. (mcclungmueseum.utk.edu) Japanese paintings, ceramics, architecture and poetry are just some of a few pieces of art that are influenced by Zen. Giant Japanese dragons are usually painted on the ceilings of their…

The film is based on the Kurdish people and their long history fighting for a national identity which can be seen in their history. The Kurdish people are Sunni Muslim people, who have their own language and traditions, living on the mountainous borders of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Armenia. They are the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East but they are still considered “nationless”. The traditional Kurdish life was nomadic until World War 1 and the breakup of the Ottoman Empire.…

The Kamakura period (1185-1333) saw the birth of one of Buddhism’s most influential and infamous priests: Nichiren (1222-1282). During the time of Nichiren, Buddhism had become the official religion of the Japanese state, and as Masaharu Anesaki (1916) explains, “its hierarchies had attained the power and dignity of state authorities, but inner decay was manifesting itself, and the corruption of the clergy was appalling. The central government, firmly established since the seventh century, was…

free-verse poetry is the verse, which does not use the regular rhyme and rhythm. Both of haiku and modern poetry have the similes and the differences; haiku influences to the modern free-verse poem. Matsuo Basho is a famous haiku poet during the Edo period in Japan. He was born in 1644 and studied…

INTRODUCTION The samurai is a class of highly skilled warriors, constantly developed in Japan after Taika reform of 646 CE. The reforms included land redistribution and heavy new taxes, meant to support and elaborate Chinese-style empire. Samurai is usually assigned in Japanese as bush or buke, were the military nobility of medieval and early-modern Japan. HISTORY The samurai is a class of highly expertise warriors, deliberately developed in Japan after the Taika reforms of 646 CE. The…

On Farting by Hiraga Gennai gives the reader a perspective into the world of various arts in the Edo Period. Not only are we told what is meant to be a proper practicing of the arts through his satirical character, Crankshaw Stonington Esquire, but Gennai counters with a claim that the arts were lacking in vivacity, passion, and ingenuity. They had become lackluster and outdated without any creativity being brought forth. To prove this point, he sings his praises for a fart artist, and engages…