Comments for Japanese 061: Introduction to Japanese Culture

Comment on the burning house by Onno Vocks

Onno Vocks — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:37:18 +0000

It’s hard to find experienced people about this topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

Comment on A New Perspective (Week 7) by songwha

songwha — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:44:14 +0000

Hi~ Nicholas, this is Song. I enjoyed your poem and the picture..:) I also agree with your idea that ” while the ancient symbol of the cherry blossom in acknowledged and embraced as a national emblem, this work clearly recognizes Japan as a body within th much larger context of the world.” I love your argument~!!

Comment on “That’s your word for it? Alright, then I feed my ship ‘Kami’ to make it go.” -Comm. Perry by Ezra Dunkle-Polier

Ezra Dunkle-Polier — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:38:19 +0000

This is about as Ross as possible. Nice job, dude.

Comment on The Rising Sun by Nicholas Economos

Nicholas Economos — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:17:54 +0000

Hi Madeline,
I found the Ryounkaku tower to be an effective symbol as well, especially when Prof. Inouye mention how the horizon was visible (this wasn’t the case for the other shorter Japanese buildings apparently?) and it forced the observer to imagine what was beyond. I also appreciate your analysis of the balance in bushido between modern with an appreciation for the past. I agree that Nitobe did seem to be gearing his work towards westerners (drawing parallels to European chivalry right off the bat). I interpreted this as a great modern feature of the work that really speaks to what was going on at the time. We looked at a lot of works around this time that attempted to express what Japan was and define the Japanese identity for the rest of the world, I think Bushido was very effective at doing this.

Comment on The Way of the Nation as the Way of Warrior by Ezra Dunkle-Polier

Ezra Dunkle-Polier — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:34:52 +0000

But I think Christianity has power in the Bible from the multiple interpretations. There are a few underlying cogent truths that are difficult to argue with, but the idea that I can get a different theme from a story than other people, but we’re both still Christian, is pretty powerful.

Comment on The Way of the Nation as the Way of Warrior by Alma Rominger

Alma Rominger — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:24:53 +0000

I like the poem. Its light and fun, even though what happened sucked. I also think you make a good point in your essay. Christianity has divided itself because of the very different interpretations of the Bible; a book that was supposed to be constant became spread out and muddled. But Bushido remains intact and unified even without a written text.

Comment on BUSHIDO by Alma Rominger

Alma Rominger — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:15:53 +0000

hahahahaha

Comment on “That’s your word for it? Alright, then I feed my ship ‘Kami’ to make it go.” -Comm. Perry by Carlos E. Hespanha Madeira

Carlos E. Hespanha Madeira — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:54:32 +0000

Really enjoyed this post. Gets many points across and does so in a way that is fun, with various views being attributed to the specific actors.

Comment on “That’s your word for it? Alright, then I feed my ship ‘Kami’ to make it go.” -Comm. Perry by jsilva12

jsilva12 — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:44:40 +0000

I really liked how you showed your perspective through an act on a stage. While reading Nitobe’s work and Professor Inouye’s book I took the information piece by piece. Here, through your essay, I was able to look at Japan in a bigger picture. You showed me that the many differing ideas were all happening at the same time and what other countries like America heard.

Comment on BUSHIDO by Ross Beighley

Ross Beighley — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:28:09 +0000

It looks like he’s laughing so hard that he’s holding the table for support.