Study Materials – by Paul Brians
Lecture 29a: Early Japanese History
Note: This study guide is presented here as a historical document only. Paul Brians is retired and his courses are no longer offered by WSU.
(Duiker 290-301; Brians 199-203; optional: 189-193)
Questions about Duiker: What country ruled Vietnam for a thousand years? What is the significance of the myth of Iazanagi and Izanami? *Why is Shotoku Taishi important in Japanese history? What aspects of the selections from the “Seventeen-Article-Constitution” stress obedience and hierarchy? *What are the main characteristics of Shinto?
Question about Japanese Creation Myth: How does this story reflect the sense of its creators that Japan is the most important place in the world?
Questions about The Tale of Genji: *How is it possible for Genji to make love with a woman whose identity he does not know? What characteristics do the selection from The Tale of Genji in Duiker on p. 307 and the one in your reader have in common?
Lecture notes:
- Background
- Geography & Agriculture
- The Ainu
- Jomon culture
- Dates and major accomplishments
- Chinese influence
- Religion, law, language, arts
- Shinto
- Major themes, influence on architecture
- Buddhism
- Nara Period
- Heian Era
- Lady Murasaki: The Tale of Genji