Remembering Japanese Culture
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A 3 page paper comparing US and Japanese culture, from the perspective of a Japanese immigrant. To say there are vast differences between life in Japan and life in the United States is to commit gross understatement. Though many values between the two cultures are quite similar, many habits and perspectives are quite different. The purpose here is for an individual originally from Japan to reflect on likes and dislikes of Asian culture. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: KSimmJapan.rtf

Review of Charles J. Dunn’s text “Everyday Life in Traditional Japan”
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This is a 6 page review of Charles J. Dunn’s work entitled “Everyday Life in Traditional Japan” (1969, 1977). This is a well structured text which tells of life of Tokugawa Japan during the years 1600 to 1850 approximately which Dunn uses as his basis for “traditional” Japan. The text is accompanied by many well crafted illustrations and maps which help in the vivid descriptions of the hierarchical country. Dunn has an easy and concise writing style which makes this text a good source for information about Japan for all senior grade levels. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: TJCDunn1.rtf

Rikyu and the Formal Tea Ceremony as Important Aspects of Balance and Conflict in the Film “Rikyu”
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This is a 5 page paper discussing Rikyu and the formal tea ceremony as important aspects of balance and conflict in the film “Rikyu”. In the 1990 film “Rikyu”, the importance of Rikyu and the traditional tea ceremony provide a reflection of the political balance and conflict going on in Japan during the leadership of Emperor Hideyoshi in the late 1500s. Rikyu was the respected tea master at that time and had formed a close alliance with the emperor. The emperor who enjoyed his power and wealth realized the importance of the tea ceremony in the life of Japan and proceeded to organize a large ten day tea festival. Throughout the development of the well orchestrated ceremonies, led by Rikyu, the emperor experienced conflict between the political forces around him, his need for tranquility, his alliance with Rikyu, his desire to invade Korea and the presence of other powerful political men present, such as Ieyasu. When Rikyu and Hideyoshi conflicted on the political aspects of Hideyoshi’s rule, such as the invasion of Korea, and Hideyoshi realized Rikyu’s growing influence in the country, he knew he had to remove Rikyu from the growing threat to his authority and through the ceremony insinuated that Rikyu must commit suicide; which he did to fulfill his commitment to the emperor and retain the balance in the country. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: TJrikyu1.rtf

Role of Language in Thinking
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A 3 page research paper that examines the relationship between language and critical thinking processes. This research suggests that language diversity enhances the brain's ability to process complex thought, yet also that language, in the form of the written word, serves, to some extent, to set boundaries on thought processes. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: khlanct.rtf

Selected History of Japan
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(6 pp) This discussion is prompted by class questions concerning early Japanese religion and history to the United States Occupation Period of World War II.
Filename: BBjaphis.doc

Separatism / A Legacy 1960-1990
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A 6 page paper on how the 1960s led to the separatism of the 1990s. The writer proves, through historical, socioeconomic and political perspectives that 'the revolutionaries of the 1960s are still stranded on the edge of the abyss and scrambling for ways to keep their children from falling in. One or more leaders today haven't the charisma or opportunity, due to media castration, to lead them. Leadership is coming in the form of separatism into various cultures. Just as they were then, the boomers are stuck looking for identity in separatism, and also as they were then, they are the leaders of that revolution.' Bibliography lists 14 sources.
Filename: 60s.rtf

Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Gardens
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A 5 page paper which compares and contrasts Shinto shrines and later Buddhist gardens. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: RAgardens.wps

Shonagon's 'The Pillow Book' / A Reflection Of Japanese History
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A 14 page research paper on this work by a tenth-century Japanese woman who served as a lady-in-waiting at the Imperial Court. The writer demonstrates how Sie Shonagon's collection of anecdotes, reflections, aesthetic assessments and accounts of courtly life provide a window into life in medieval Japan. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: Pillowb.wps

Stories: Japan
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A 4 page paper which provides 4 brief hypothetical/creative stories concerning Japan and the Japanese. No sources cited.
Filename: RAjaai.rtf

Street Crime in Japan and the United States
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This 6 page paper examines crime in Japan and the United States, citing opinions from sociologists as well looking at how media has portrayed crime in each nation. Reasons for crime are examined and the two countries are compared and contrasted in respect to street crime. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
Filename: SA018Jap .wps

Street Crime in Japan and the United States
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This 6 page paper examines crime in Japan and the United States, citing opinions from sociologists as well looking at how media has portrayed crime in each nation. Reasons for crime are examined and the two countries are compared and contrasted in respect to street crime. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
Filename: SA018Jap .rtf

Structures and Images: Japanese Culture
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A 5 page paper which examines some structures and images of the Japanese culture. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: RAjapcul.rtf

Tadao Ando's Water Temple Design
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An 8 page consideration of one of Hyogo Japan's most notable structure. The author explores the design elements incorporated into this structure and contends that the Temple is distinct not just because it exemplifies the difference between Eastern and Western ideas of architecture, but because it blends the eastern and western perspectives. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: PParcTmp.rtf

Tea Ceremony
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A 4 page research paper that describes the social and esthetic dimension of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. The serious practitioners of this art develop a particular “mind set and body control” that facilitates them transforming the tension-producing details of everyday life into “moments of beauty, meaningfulness and tranquility” (Keenan 30). Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: khtea.rtf

Teaching English Listening Skills to Students in Japan
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This 16 page paper provides an overview of some of the current literature and research studies regarding the use of specific teaching methods for instructing Japanese language speakers in the development of English listening skills. This paper considers some of the major differences in language that have been incorporated into teaching methods, and proposes a research methodology for comparing two specific methods of instruction. Bibliography lists 44 sources.
Filename: MHedujap.wps

Tensions between High Aesthetics Military Tradition in Japan
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This 5 page paper considers the way in which these two aspects of a society have been separated throughout the centuries, creating an alienation between the military and the cultural worlds. The paper looks at the times between the tenth century and the current day to trace this trend. The bibliography cites 6 sources.
Filename: TEjapcul.wps

The 1995 Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack:
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This 4 page paper provides an overview of the 1995 Sarin attack on a Tokyo subway that had devestating results. This paper illustrates the background to the incident as well as a discussion of how officials responded to this attack. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: GSSarinA.rtf