introduction to japanese culture and civilization
This course introduces various aspects of Japanese culture, including history, geography, religion, government, politics, customs and traditions. After a broad historical overview beginning in prehistory, this course focuses on the Tokugawa period as the bedrock for understanding modern Japanese society as a mass society. Taught in English. Obtained form CSUMB Course Catalog.
course narrative
The class of Japanese 305 helped me fulfill this major requirement. In this class we learned about Japanese culture and civilization. We learned about the Japanese society and their way of viewing life. The Japanese society made it a big deal to defend and stand for what they believed in. For example, Samurai men warriors would only battle in order to defend something and never to get something in return. Also, Japan has a variety of different religions just like any other country but one of their unique kinds of religion is Shinto. The Shinto religion is based on life and it is as well a highly sophisticated form of animism. They have Shinto shrines as their temples and they also do these rituals to take away negative spirits, they have seasonal events, and festivals. They focus on their current life, present day and meditate the relationships between living humans, and kami (not humans). Another kind of religion that exists in Japan is Buddhism. Buddhism is focus on the passing of a loved one, usually is a person is from Shinto religion and suffers a loss the person or family tend to change their religion to Buddhism. They function based on funerals and memorial services, they are the religion that provides these services, Shinto will not do this. Buddhism has temples rather than shrines, which they also do rituals and they also have really nice gardens where they do their meditation and pray for their loved ones. Christianity is not really present in Japanese society, but what is left of Christianity has been japanned a bit by the people. Before this class I had no idea what these terms meant nor what was the society like in Japan. The readings, movies, and class lectures really helped me understand and imagine myself in this kind of culture. It was interesting to learn about a different culture other than the two I know which are Mexican, and Mexican-American culture. I enjoyed this class because it gave me a good taste of Japanese culture and society, learning about their perspectives, and values of everyday life.
Attached you will find one of my essays for this class in which I talk about Samurai warriors and my understandings of one. As well as another essay talking about Japanese religion.
japnreligionessay.pdf samuraiessay.pdf
Attached you will find one of my essays for this class in which I talk about Samurai warriors and my understandings of one. As well as another essay talking about Japanese religion.
japnreligionessay.pdf samuraiessay.pdf