Question 1) Who were the Samurai? The Samurai were the warrior class of Japan. Being a Samurai was the greatest honour most men could have. Their masters were the Daimyos and Shogun. Question 2) Who were the Daimyos? The Daimyos were warlords whose status was below the Shoguns but above the Samurai. The Daimyos were wealthy, and this wealth usually came from the taxes they collected from people of lower status to them. Part of the Daimyos wealth had to be shared with higher status warlords and…
the general Japanese public met with problems of food shortages, the formation of community councils or chounaikai, inflation levels that had caused most Japanese citizens to be living below the poverty line and many other factors. These aspects of Japan are usually not taken into consideration when referencing their involvement in World War 2; one cause as to why many misunderstandings appear to surround their…
The Significance of Sakamoto Ryoma Sakamoto Ryoma, born in 1835 and died in 1867, was an anti-tokugawa samurai who revolutionarily influenced not only the nation but, societal beliefs, values, cultural behaviours, political endeavours and Japan itself. The significance of his legacy continues to inspire and express the importance of equality and pride for the country he belonged to. His outspoken actions and decisions throughout his life go on to modify modern day Japanese society and make him…
single-edged and curved. These factors make the Japanese swords a part of a symbol that represents Japan. There are many different types of Japanese swords and its difference is determined by its size, shape and uses. Some of the types of Japanese swords includes tachi, katana and wakizashi. The Japanese sword that was said to be the first of the Japanese swords created that lead to the unique swords Japan is famous for, is called the Kogarasumaru, meaning Little Crow, and it was a tachi. Tachi…
topic that has been disputed for quite some time is which country the ninja originated from. Some say the ninja hails from ancient Japan, but they would only be partially correct. The first fully fledged ninjas were documented and accounted for in Japan, and even ninja culture in the West came to…
Japan has faced many transitions in its long, rich history. From learning to cast bronze from their Chinese neighbors, to its unification of states after years of turmoil, Japan always rises to the challenges presented by international forces and pressures of future generations. As transitions from period to period occur, it’s often difficult to fully characterize the emotional mindset of those within the culture. Natsume Soseki's novel Kokoro captures this process as Japan moves into its…
mother. However, when K, Sensei’s university friend, came to live with them, he didn’t realize that he would be competing with his friend for the love of his life. This competition and K’s family situation caused him to go overboard, and he committed suicide. This drove Sensei into isolation; he blames himself for K’s death even though no one says Sensei killed him. Ojosan believed, that because she was part of the problem between the two of them, Sensei hated her which drove a small wedge…
Furthermore, like the samurai of Japan as time went on, success required more than brawn: it required loyalty to his liege-lord in society as well as strategy and ingenuity on the battlefield. Born of Noble blood and birth in the time of Charlemagne, in the 9th and 10th Centuries of France, and his successors. The knight emerged from the cavalry of…
Each year in a small town off the coast of Japan, hundreds of dolphins are captured and slaughtered in a small cove. A 2009 documentary The Cove, exposed what really happens in the town of Taiji. The team took footage of the slaughtering, took sample meat to labs, and attempted to bring awareness to the annual hunts. So, what has happened since The Cove came out? One would think that the drive hunts would stop happening altogether, but in reality, they are still happening at this moment. The…
could code the codes emperor systems”. Sakaguchi was against the acts of the chief and termed the acts of emperor marrying the virgins as moral decadence. He further emphasizes on the significance of starting from the bottom and raising a prosperous Japan that embraces proper cultural and moral values (Sakaguchi, p.4). The character confirms with at the thought of moral decadence because he is acting contrary to the cultural and societal moral principles. The emperor was working towards…