SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE MIDTERM REVIEWER

12 to 14th century

Peking Metropolitan

Peking Opera most famous opera house in China

JAPAN- is known as the land of rising sun

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

-East of Asia. capital: Tokyo (Most populated city 37 million pop.)

-Japan most financially and technologically advanced countries in the world since 1950s.

-Progress: complex and continuous culture

-Tokkaido - ancient trade root, still used as tool

-Present: developing and creating technological devices where they passes it for future generation.

-Tying the past and the future

-The land of the rising sun - they already have a lot of name. Influence from China. Names were poetic:
or the periphrases given to Japan

-1. Fertile land where reeds grows abundantly and rise and four other cereals ripen

-2. The land of rich ear of 1500 autumns of the plains of abundant reeds

-3. The entrance to the mountain

-Origin of Sun: 7th century several names have been attributed to archipelago given by Japanese
political elites to serve the names that was given by China to Japan: 1. Wa - dwarf or submissive

Appellations or designations:

1. hi azuri tokore -country from which the sun comes out

2. hi ne moto - the origin of the sun

3. hi takami no kuni - the country where the sun is high

But this was all replaces when PRINCE SHOTOKU wrote a letter to China that mentioned Japanese term
that used for 1400 years

Letter: mark the history of Japan, "the sun of heaven in the country where the sun rises... The letter
mention NIPPON or NIHON

Sun in Japan has something to do with Chinese mythology or history

Japan is also important in Religion

RELIGION: Buddhism (adopt), Shinto/ Shintoism (oldest religion in Japan)

Shinto - sun is important

Amaterasu- the sun goddess, most honored god in shinto. The daughter of Izanazi and Izanami. Born
on the left eye. (Chronicles of ancient Matter/ facts- collection of founding myths. Japan called it Kojiki.
Who: Hieda no are. Compiled in: 712)

-Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki) -collected in 720.

Buddhism - star or sun attach to the figure Sakyamuni

Sakyamuni - historical Buddha that transform into luminous and glorious being. Glorified Buddha.
Japan: Dainichi Nyorai ( the great sun) he was the supreme deity of Shingon Sect

Sun present in the flag. White and red is called Hi no maru - sun Disc flag. The reason why it is land of
Rising sun

RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS of JAPAN

Shinto - old as Japan Cultures

Buddhism imported in Japan 6th century

Japanese can be both since religion is not a big role for them

Festival (matsuri)- Japanese participate in this event

PHILOSOPHY

Shinto - ways of the God, indigenous faith, old as Japan itself, major Japan religion. There's no founder
because it was already deeply rooted in their traditions. Shinto Gods: Kami-sacred spirits take the
forms things and concept (natural resources). Humans became Kami. Ancestral kami (common people
who died). Kami and Amaterasu lived in Shrine. Shinto shrine. Shinto rituals celebrated live, they have
priests, men and woman can be priest they were aided by young and unmarried women (Miko) often
the daughter of the priests. They dressed white kimono

History of Shinto

6th century has few conflicts but they able to collaborate by manifestation of Kami to Buddha

Meji/ Meiji Period- Shinto made a state religion. Priests became state officials. Shinto shrines was
government funded where they foster national identity and emperor is the center. Emancipated
(freedom). After WW2 religion and state separated.

SHINTO TODAY

Talismen- issue with the shinto

-they don't believe in death (impure)

-no cemetery of shinto

Buddhist -consists of teachings of Buddha or Gautama Buddha

Mahayanan -branch of Buddhism finds its way to enter Japan

-greater vehicle Buddhism

-imported from China

- gift by Korean Kingdom Kudara during 6th Century

- for nobles only

- the Capital of Japan is Nara

- there is a monestery (Todaiji)

Todaiji

-gained political influence

• From Nara the Capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784

• Next it was moved to Kyoto in 794

-Shinto tought buddhist are militant and began to have conflict (political conflict)

Heian Period

2 buddhist sec were introduced from China

- Tendal sect (introduced by Saicho 1805)

- Shingon sect (introduced by kukai 1806)

2 Japanese (Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi ) fought the militant or Buddhist missionaries during the end
of the 16th century because the Buddhist missionaries are influencing the political sectors.

After the fight in the early years of meiji period, 26 died.

- 2/3rds of Japan is buddhist

- Buddhism didn't affect their everyday life.

- Japan create house altar where they pray

Confucianism

- introduced to Japan via Korean Peninsula in 285 AD

- during the Edo from 1605-1868

- Neo Confucianism was the most important philosophy in the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Christianity

- through Europeans (Portugal) landed in Kyushu in 1542.

- they brought with them gun powder and Christianity.

• Oda Nobunaga - welcomes Christianity because of the weapon

-they were able to convert the ruling class

- openly and publicly practice Christianity in 1550

- Saint Francis Xavier went to Japan in 1587

era of Colonization

• Hideyoshi- passed an edict banning Christian missionary in the country.

- in tolerating towards Buddhism and Shintoism

- has political ambition

Daimyo- officials

Samurai- warriors

1897 passed a serious banning and executed 26 Christians at Nagasaki

- The government is headed by Shogunates

- Christianity was obstracting the authorieties

Rebellion

-At Shimabara Peninsula (late 1630)

- full ban of Christianity

- there are very few embraced Christianity (hidden Christians) practice Christian religion secretly.

- restore the meiji that promolgate number of Japanese Christian to accept Christianity under the meiji
restoration.

- many Christians were converted

- Nowadays, 1 to 2 Millions of Christians are in Japan.

- Wester Japan were many Christian activities were help.

- Christian costumes became popular in Japan and practice it such as wedding ceremonies, celebrate
New Year and Christmas, retail marketing, and giving gifts and donations.

- New Year and Christmas are not holidays in Japan

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONCEPTS OF JAPAN

How society is Organized:

- Japan is an extremely homogeneous society

- class differences are abolished with one exception called Burakumin

• Burakumin- an outcaste group where the majority of them are descendants of unclean people ( grave
diggers, butchers and leather workers).

STRUCTURE OF THE SOCIETY

- Japan is a vertically structured group oriented.

- first (harmonious functioning of a group)

- second (rights of the individuals)

- age and gender differences were marked through language and behavioral patterns.

Ex. Women were required to respect first their father then husband and later in life are the sons.
(Respect is given to men)

in present not rigidly enforced

- all levels of groups are treated as family life

in school and at the workplace.

- ranking orders are very pervasive in the Japanese organization.

-group loyal ensures that the decision of the whole is to be considered.

- modelled with a fective kinship relationship (relationship between parents and children).

- Affiliation is more important than the individual rights in Japan.

• Egalitarian Social System-

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF JAPAN

- proclaimed in 1947

- named Douglas Mc Arthur constitution in 1947

- highest body/ organ is diet (law-making body of Japan)

Two elected chambers

• 1 House of representative

- 4 years term

- has more power

• 2 house of councilors

- 6 years term

Business was conductive in committees

Supreme Court judges appointed by the Cabinet

Executive power

- resides in the Cabinet

- the Head of the Cabinet is the Prime Minister

- The Prime Minister is directly responsible for the diet

- The house of representatives chooses the prime minister

- prime minister selects the Cabinet

- Power of Minister is curved because of the rivalry in intra political factions

- The post if the prime minister is always reshuffled.

Judiciary

- rest in the Supreme court

- The supreme court has very few judges

- throughout the post war years the authority of the central government was consolated.

- there is one party called the liberal democratic party which was repeatedly elected in 1955 brought
imbalances.

- they have connections with wealthy people in japan, an electoral system which imbalances it in favor
of votes in rural areas.
- 1960 they were series if active citizen movement were interested in environment issues

- challenging changed in the policy

- emperor of Japan has no power

• Emperor- symbol of Japanese people unity but has political power.

- no formal power

- responsible for Japanese people

• Emperor Hiroito- said the emperor is just an ordinary human being violated the tradition.

• Emperial Family- living in secrets.

- remained very secluded.

- controlled by the imperial household agency.

- their existence was provided on nationalistic centement of the people.

- focus on nationalistic centements.

SOCIAL CONTROL

• society or low enforcement is carried out by the police force which is organized in perfect forces or
prefectural forces.

- coordinated by the national police agency.

- at the local level, the police force enjoys support and respect with their municipalities.

Prefecture- region composed of municipalities

- there are contradictions to the police force because it is a time of chaos, the police forces were still
associated with authoritarianism.

- visited houses under jurisdiction twice a year.

- required to participate actively in activities.

- they maintain a close link to local government.

- crime rates are low in Japan, especially in Tokyo because the citizens are actively in supporting the
police about the prevention crime.

- conflict carried out in Japan: out of court (resolve the problem outside the court, legal system outside
the court)

JAPANESE LITERATURE

History

• Literature of Japan can be traced to oral traditions where in written form.

• introduced from China

• placed in the 8th century

• Examples:

The Kujiki (Chronicle of Ancient Facts or Chronicles of Ancient matters) ,

- an anthology of myths legends and other stories

Nihon Shoki (The Chronicle of Japan)- chronological record of history.

Other Literary Work

• Fudoki (Records of wind and earth) - compiled by provincial officials in 713

- describe the history, geography products and folklores if the various provinces of Japan.

Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves

- by Man Yoshu

- considered as the most brilliant literary work or product is the

- an anthology of 4, 50p poems composed by people ranging from a known commoners and emperors

- compiled in 759

- emergence of a new form of verse ehich is made up of 4 lines and 32 syllables which is called Tanka

- in the year 905 Wakashu or Kokinshu published a collection of poems from ancient and modern times,
and first published an anthology of poets commissioned by the emperor.

Japanese Lit. Is divided into Several Themes:

• 894- 1194 classical literature duting heian period.

• Japanese Literature was produced during the heian Period

• Heian Period is golden age of Japanese art and Literature in some books.

• Masterpieces of the Period: Tale of Genji

- an example of fiction in the form of a novel

- written by Mukasaki Shikibu

• Kokin Wakashu

• The Pillow Book

- an essay about love, romance and past times of nobles in the emperor court.

- written by Shei Shonaga ( contemporary or rivalry of Shikibu and Athaiva) living in the same period

- past time in Japan: editing of anthology of poetry

Medieval Literature

• 1195- 1600

• marked by the strong influenced by the Zen Buddhism.

• many writers are travelers, priest and ascetic

Ascetic- writers who practice self deneil for personal and spiritual discipline

• Japan experienced many civil wars that why writers wrote about warriors, related to fighting, about
redemption through killing and war stories.

- resulted to warriors class called Samurai

Life death, redemption

•The tale of Heike an epic or account of the struggle between two families (Minamoto and Taira
Families) over control of Japan

• The Renga- (linked verse)

• Noh Theatre- developed in the middle of 14th Century

Early Modern Period Literature

1600- 1868

• characterized by peace (rein of Tokogawa Government) refered to be the Edo period

• Edo- modern Tokyo now.

- there was arise in the middle classes and working class in the Edo

- developed drama (became popular)

- drama evolved into Kabuki (classical form of Japanese Theatre mixing dramatic performances and
dancing.

Oku no Hosimichi

- written by Matsuo Basho

- is a travel diary

Hokusai

- considered the most famous woodblock print artist

- already illustrated fiction

- made 36 illustrated fiction

- famous work is 36 views of Mount Fuji

Many debut as writers

- the rising literary rate in Japan

- development of lending libraries

- western influences are trickling in Japan

-Fiction Chinese vernacular fiction

- important figure during this period was Ihara Saikaku

Ihara Saikaku- gave birth to the modern condiciousness of Japan novel.

Yomihon

- is a book and historical romance in prose