JAPN 212 - Samurai Spirit
Course Description
This course explores the four periods of the samurai tradition to survey changing roles and philosophy behind its existence. The survey will analyze contemporary images/stereotypes of the samurai. The course employs ancient war tales, historical documents and paintings, maps, articles, literary works, different genres of samurai films, and videos to fully examine one of the most popular Japanese cultural icons. Taught in English. Fulfills MLO 2.
This course explores the four periods of the samurai tradition to survey changing roles and philosophy behind its existence. The survey will analyze contemporary images/stereotypes of the samurai. The course employs ancient war tales, historical documents and paintings, maps, articles, literary works, different genres of samurai films, and videos to fully examine one of the most popular Japanese cultural icons. Taught in English. Fulfills MLO 2.
Reflective Narrative
Like any modern day American, my understanding of what a samurai is was heavily influenced by what is presented in popular media, mainly films and American made ones at that. I was first exposed to the film The Last Samurai in High School, having not understood at the time the inaccuracies that are present throughout. Throughout this class I was able to learn about many aspects of samurai and ancient Japanese culture that I had never been exposed to before. In this class, students were exposed to the history of "samurai spirit" through historical texts, films, and artwork. By delving into the history of the samurai, from ancient through modern times, we explored Japanese culture and history as it developed alongside the samurai's rise to power and eventual downfall. The history of the Samurai has been deeply entwined with Japanese history as samurai warrior culture has significantly contributed to the development of Japanese culture into what it is today. Throughout the course I gained a deeper understanding of both historical and modern Japanese culture and exactly how their modern culture came into being. Particularly, I was able to learn the difference between stereotypes versus the reality of samurai and the reasons these stereotypes exist and serve as such a symbol of Japan. My initial understanding of what a samurai was was someone who lived by a code of honor and fought for those less fortunate and in need. This class debunked this idea completely. It turns out that most forms of media present a very romanticized version of samurai warriors who were actually, in very simple terms, bullies and abusers of their status. Therefore, samurai, with this romantic image of being sword wielding fighters who lived by a strict code of honor, gave the Japanese people an image of Japan they could be proud of, developing the romanticized idea of the samurai that is seen today. I also learned the true samurai code through reading The Book of Five Rings, example 1, and many of the most famous samurai clans and their leaders, including Oda Nobunaga, example 2.
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