Japan

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Here's a summary of the texts you provided, including the questions they posed:
Lesson 4: Exploring Japanese Literature (Early Periods and Chinese Influence)
This lesson explores the beginnings of Japanese literature, highlighting the significant impact of Chinese language and writing.
* Early Japanese Literature: Started with spoken poems and odes before a writing system existed. Few fragments remain.
* Chinese Influence: The study of Chinese literature led to writing in Chinese, creating a gap between spoken and written Japanese. Many Chinese words were adopted.
* Writing System: Japanese uses characters borrowed from Chinese (Kanji), each representing an idea. Students must learn thousands. A 47-character alphabet (Katakana) also exists.
* Native Language Retention: Despite Chinese influence, Japanese retained native words for E×ρréššing emotions and core human experiences.
Questions:
* What kind of literature was the earliest to be written, of which very few works remain?
* What happened once the Japanese learned about Chinese literature? What happened to their own language?
* Do you consider what happened to Japanese literature (specifically when Chinese literature came in) similar to what happened to Filipino literature when the English language came in? Why? Why not?
* What do you think of the entry of Chinese language into the Japanese language? Do you think it was good or bad? Defend your answer.
* Why do you think Japan retained their own words to E×ρréšš emotions and ideas close to the heart?
Further Aspects of Japanese Culture (Education, Literature, History, Drama)
This excerpt explores various facets of Japanese culture, including education, literature, historical preservation, and dramatic arts.
* Education: Evolved from limited access in court circles to widespread general education in the modern period (1600 onwards). Circulating libraries played a crucial role.
* Literature: Women of the court are credited with developing the literary language. Reading was popular, as evidenced by mobile libraries. The Kojiki and Nihongi are the oldest literary works.
* Historical Preservation: The Japanese are portrayed as deeply proud of their history, meticulously preserving records and honoring notable figures.
* Drama: A popular form of entertainment, typically based on history, tradition, gods, and heroes, set in Japan. Plays are lengthy.
Questions:
* How did people from 1600 onward view education? Did they view it as important? Why do you say so?
* If reading was a very popular pastime, what kind of reading did these people practice back then?
* How much love did the Japanese have for reading if mobile libraries were carried from town to town?
* What was the importance of women in early Japanese literature?
* What are the two oldest works in the Japanese language? In comparison, what are two of the oldest works of the Filipinos? Compare the works.
* Do you think the Japanese were very concerned about history? Why do you say so? What practices or customs do they have that reflect this?
Japanese Drama and Poetry (Noh, Joruri, Kabuki, Haiku)
This section delves deeper into Japanese drama and poetry, examining specific forms and their characteristics.
* Drama: Three main types:
* Noh: National theater, highly stylized, masked actors, ceremonial, for nobility.
* Joruri (Puppet Play): Life-sized puppets, realistic dialogue.
* Kabuki: "Play for the masses," less intellectual, more sensational and realistic.
* Poetry: Important in Japanese culture.
* Early Collection: Man'yoshu (800 AD).
* Aristocratic Skill: Poetry was essential for the aristocracy, used in courtship and advancement.
* Suggestive Quality: Poems often invite reader interpretation.
* Common Themes: Nature, imperial family, loss, enjoyment.
Questions:
* How important are plays to the Japanese?
* How did the plays in olden times reflect differences between the social classes? Do you think this kind of discrimination is there in dramatic circles between the rich and the poor in England?
* How was poetry an E×ρréššion of intellectuality and love and courtship? Why do you think this so?
* What were the most common topics for poems? How does this reflect the priorities of the Japanese?
Haiku and Western Influence
This excerpt focuses on the haiku form and the impact of Western literature on Japanese writers.
* Haiku: Shortest form of Japanese poetry (17 syllables in three lines). Important part of Japanese life; Haiku Day is celebrated.
* Western Influence: 20th-century Western ideas greatly influenced Japan, especially in fiction through translations and imitations.
Question:
* How is Western influence manifested in Japanese literature? Is this a healthy influence? Defend your answer.

 

[FaFnir_]

Japan 2



Okay, here's a comprehensive summary of "The Story of the Aged Mother," including the questions and answers from the margins:
Story Summary:
A poor farmer and his aged mother live peacefully until a cruel ruler decrees that all elderly people must be put to death. The farmer, despite his love for his mother, initially feels obligated to obey. He carries her up a mountain to abandon her, but his mother cleverly leaves a trail of broken twigs to guide him back. Seeing her scratched hands, he realizes her love and wisdom and takes her home, hiding her. Later, the ruler demands a rope of ashes. The mother advises her son on how to create one, and when the ruler is impressed, the son confesses the source of his wisdom. The ruler, recognizing the value of the elderly, abolishes the cruel law.
Margin Questions and Answers:
* What disrupted their peaceful life? The cruel proclamation by the despotic ruler ordering the death of all aged people disrupted their lives.
* If you were the farmer, would you have obeyed? (Personal Reflection) This question encourages the reader to consider the ethical dilemma and the societal pressures at play. There's no single right answer. It depends on individual values and the perceived consequences of obedience vs. defiance within the story's context.
* How did culture and environment affect the decision of the youth? The story suggests a culture of obedience to authority and a societal acceptance of abandoning the elderly (even though it wasn't always legally required). The environment is one of limited resources and potentially harsh conditions, which might have contributed to such practices in the past.
* Were people obedient to the government? The story implies a high degree of obedience. The text states, "...no one ever thought a second time about obeying the mandate of a daimio..."
* Why did the farmer pack unwhitened rice and water? He packed these provisions for his journey up the mountain to leave his mother to die. Unwhitened rice was a common food for the poor, making it a practical and readily available choice.
* What did the old mother do so that her son would be able to find his way back down from the mountain? She broke off twigs from bushes and dropped them at intervals along the path, creating a trail for her son to follow.
* What were the twigs for? The twigs were meant to serve as a guide for the son's descent, preventing him from getting lost on the confusing mountain paths.
* How does this show a mother's love and care for her son? This act demonstrates the mother's selfless love. Even as she is being taken to be abandoned, her thoughts are entirely on her son's safety and well-being. She uses her last moments to ensure his safe return, showcasing the depth of a mother's care and sacrifice.
* What was revealed by the mother as her son said goodbye? How did the young man react? What did he decide to do? The mother revealed her wisdom and deep love by ensuring her son could find his way back. The son was moved to tears and realized the depth of his mother's love, prompting him to disobey the ruler's order and take his mother home.
* What was the despot's new demand? The despot's new demand was for a rope of ashes.
* Who advised the farmer about how to make the rope of ashes? The aged mother advised the farmer.
* Did the despotic daimio eventually find out about the way the rope was created? How did he react after? Yes, the daimio found out. He was initially pleased with the "wit" of the youth but then demanded to know its source. After hearing the story, his reaction is not explicitly stated, but the implications are that he recognized the value of the elderly and potentially rescinded his cruel decree (though this is not directly said).
* What did the crown of snow symbolize? Why did it represent wisdom? The "crown of snow" is likely a reference to the white hair of the elderly, symbolizing their age and experience. It represents wisdom because the elderly have lived longer and accumulated knowledge and understanding.
* Is it true that when one ages, he/she becomes useless and irrelevant? What can the youth learn from the elders? The story's central message is that this is NOT true. The aged mother's wisdom and resourcefulness prove the value of the elderly. The youth can learn valuable lessons about life, problem-solving, resilience, love, and compassion from elders.
* How have your parents shown their love for you? (Personal Reflection) This question prompts reflection on the reader's own experiences.
* How have you shown your love for them? (Personal Reflection) This question prompts reflection on the reader's own actions towards their parents.
Key Themes:
* Respect for the Elderly: The story powerfully advocates for respecting and valuing the elderly, highlighting their wisdom and contributions to society.
* Challenge to Cruelty and Injustice: The son's defiance of the ruler's decree, inspired by his mother's wisdom, represents a challenge to cruel and unjust authority.
* Importance of Family: The story emphasizes the importance of family bonds and the strength of love between parent and child.
* Wisdom of the Elderly: The mother's actions demonstrate that the elderly, far from being useless, possess valuable wisdom and experience.
* Filial Piety: The story explores this theme, with the mother's actions challenging conventional understanding and highlighting her wisdom and love.
Overall Message:
"The Story of the Aged Mother" is a timeless folktale that imparts a valuable moral lesson: societies should honor and cherish the wisdom of their elders, not discard them. It promotes filial piety, challenges unjust authority, and celebrates the enduring power of love and compassion. The story's message remains relevant even today, reminding us to appreciate the contributions of older generations and to create a society that values their ex
perience and knowledge.