EALL 211 – Japan: Cultural Odyssey

Sam OrmePAC 110

MTWR 14:00 – 16:20

Introductions

• Name• What you’re studying• Background with Japan• Why you’re taking this class

What is Japanese culture?

Japanese geography

Honshū (本州 )

Hokkaidō(北海道 )

Shikoku (四国 )Kyūshū(九州 )

Edo/Tōkyo(江戸 /東京 )

Kyōto (京都 )

Japanese geography

Japanese creation myth

Comparing translations

• What elements do these translations have in common?

• What elements are different?• Which one do you think is the most accurate?

Why?• What does this myth teach us about how the

Japanese view themselves and the world?

Where do these stories come from?

• Kojiki (古事記 , “ancient matter record”)– Collection of origin myths written in 8th c.

• Nihon Shoki (日本書紀 , “Japan chronicle”)– Contains creation myths– Also contains historical records through 8th c.

Where does Japan start?

• Jōmon period (14,000 B.C. – 300 B.C.)• “Cord marking” (縄文 )• Pottery was thrown by hand• Oldest known Japanese period• Shares little in common with modern Japan

Yayoi period (300 B.C. – A.D. 300)

• Saw development of metallurgy (Japan’s bronze and iron ages)

• Development of agriculture and rice paddies• Pottery was thrown on a wheel• Coexisted with Jōmon people

Kofun period (A.D. 250 – 538)

• Together with subsequent periods, often called “Yamato period”

• First truly Japanese period• Development of Shinto religion• Characterized by burial mounds