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 The course employs ancient war tales, historical documents and paintings, maps, articles, literary works, different genres of samurai films, and videos to fully examine one of the most popular Japanese cultural icons.
Reflective Narrative:
This course taught about the history of the samurai. From early times before samurai even existed, until the modern era, where the samurai no longer exist, except in their legacy. Through films, books, and other media, we learned the true story of the samurai, often at odds with both western and eastern stereotypes. Perhaps the best example is the sword, a concept seemingly perpetually linked with the samurai, but in fact mostly symbolic. Ancient samurai used bows and naginata, a kind of light haliberd. Tokugawa era samurai mainly used guns for actual combat, their sword was a status symbol. Much of Japanese culture is connected to the samurai tradition, connecting this class with MLO 2. Japan was ruled by this class for much of its history.
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 The course employs ancient war tales, historical documents and paintings, maps, articles, literary works, different genres of samurai films, and videos to fully examine one of the most popular Japanese cultural icons.
Reflective Narrative:
This course taught about the history of the samurai. From early times before samurai even existed, until the modern era, where the samurai no longer exist, except in their legacy. Through films, books, and other media, we learned the true story of the samurai, often at odds with both western and eastern stereotypes. Perhaps the best example is the sword, a concept seemingly perpetually linked with the samurai, but in fact mostly symbolic. Ancient samurai used bows and naginata, a kind of light haliberd. Tokugawa era samurai mainly used guns for actual combat, their sword was a status symbol. Much of Japanese culture is connected to the samurai tradition, connecting this class with MLO 2. Japan was ruled by this class for much of its history.