Early Japan to 1616
Fall 2009
Prof. Dodgen
This course explores the origins of Japanese culture and society from the Paleolithic up to c. 1700. It will pursue such topics as the origins of the Japanese people, the nature of pre-historic Japanese society and technology, the rise of clan federations and the early imperial rule, the origins and development of military culture, and the political and religious institutions of Early Japan. We will take a close look at the aesthetic culture of Heian Japan and at the role of women in Japan’s cultural and literary traditions, and then trace the rise of the warrior society that came to dominate Japan after the twelfth century. The influence of China and Korea on Japan and the role of Buddhism in shaping Japanese thought will also be examined.
Books:
Three books are required for the course:
The World Turned Upside Down, by Francois Souyri
The Confessions of Lady Nijo, trans. Karen Bazell
The World of the Shining Prince, by Ivan Morris
All of these are available in the bookstore or can be purchased from online bookstores. World of the Shining Prince and Lady Nijo can often be found in used bookstores.
There is no overall text for the early part of the course. The World of the Shining Prince provides a great deal of background, but those who feel the need for a narrative overview of the events of the pre-medieval period should consider H. Paul Varley’s Japanese Culture, available in paperback in the bookstore. The World Turned Upside Down is meant to serve as a text for the later part of the course.
Grading:
Grades will be based on two in-class exams consisting of essay questions and short-answer items and two typed, 5-7 page papers on The World of the Shining Prince and The Confessions of Lady Nijo. These papers will be written in response to questions provided by the instructor and will require page citations for supporting material. In-class essay questions will focus on the readings and lectures. Short-answer items will be drawn from the list of identification items provided.
Each test and paper will count for one-fourth of the final grade. Plagiarism will result in a grade of “F”and possible disciplinaryaction. If you are unsure about how to cite your take-home essays, visit me during office hours to discuss any questions you have.
Some of the documents assigned on this syllabus as well as other valuable research materials can be found at the Internet Asian History Source Book web site at:
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you are a student with a disability and think you may need accommodation in this course, you must contact the Disabled Students Services located in Stevenson 1038 (664-2677).
My office hours are Monday and Wednesday, 10:45-11:45, Tuesday mornings by appointment. My office is 2066 Stevenson, extension 42462. You can also contact me by e-mail at
Plagiarism and cheating: Cases of plagiarism or cheating will not only result in a failing grade, but will be referred to university disciplinary authorities and can result in expulsion from the university.
Terms for the midterm and final exam can be found at:
and
Syllabus
DateTopics and Assignments
8/26Introduction and discussion.
8/31-9/2Issues of origins and identity: prehistoric Japan.
Maps of Japan and a discussion of the county’s geography are available at
9/9Legends and Gods: Kami worship and creation myths.
Readings: “Shinto creation myths”at
and “Shinto”at also
“Yayoi and Jomon”at
9/14-16Strength at the center: from Himiko’s realm to Imperial Yamato.
Readings: The World of the Shining Prince, Introduction and chapter 1.
“Chinese logographic writing”at:
“Japanese Writing”at:
Material on the archeology of Kofun and Nara period Japan can be found at:
9/21-23Capital steps: from Nara to Heian.
Readings: “The Taika Reform Edicts”at:
The World of the Shining Prince chapter 2.
9/28-30Everything you wanted to know about sects: Buddhism flourishes.
Readings: The World of the Shining Prince: chapters 3 and 4.
10/5-7Rule by aesthetics: the world of the imperial glitterati.
Readings: The World of the Shining Prince, chapters 5 and 6.
10/12 No class, furlough day.
10/14Early warriors and military technology.
10/19-21Failures and success in the North.
Readings: Complete The World of the Shining Prince,discussion Wednesday.
10/26-28Monday: review for midterm;
Wednesday, midterm exam.
11/2-4The Heike saga: the fall of the Taira and the rise of the Minamoto.
Readings: Lady Nijo to page 120; The World Turned Upside Down chapters 1-2.
Assignment on Shining Prince due Wednesday.
11/9The Kamakura bakufu: the first warrior government.
Readings: Lady Nijo, pages 121 to 226; The World Turned Upside Down chapters 3-6.
11/16-18Kamikaze: Pyrrhic victory over the Mongols.
Readings: Lady Nijo, complete, discussion; The World Turned Upside Down chapters 7-8.
Ashikaga: the low oppress the high.
Readings: The World Turned Upside Down chapters 9-10.
11/23 No class, furlough.
11/25 Thanksgiving break.
11/30-A brilliant failure: Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
12-2 Readings: The World Turned Upside Down chapter 11.
The struggle for unity: Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, Tokugawa.
Readings: The World Turned Upside Down chapter 12.
Assignment on Lady Nijo due Monday
12/7-9The Tokugawa answer: service to the lord.
“The last statement of Torii Mototada” at:
Wednesday, review for exam.
12/?Final Exam
*This syllabus is subject to modification at any time. Students are responsible for all material presented in class, including changes to the due dates of assignments or the timing or content of exams.