Midterm-REviewer-EL-114.docx

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND JAPAN **A. Political Structure** - Early Japan's political structure was based on clan or family. - Each clan developed a hierarchy of classes with aristocrats, warriors, and priests at the top and peasants and workers at the bottom. - During the 4th century A...

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND JAPAN **A. Political Structure** - Early Japan's political structure was based on clan or family. - Each clan developed a hierarchy of classes with aristocrats, warriors, and priests at the top and peasants and workers at the bottom. - During the 4th century A.D., the YAMATO FAMILY grew to be the most powerful in their time. - imposed the Chinese imperial system on Japan, creating an emperor, an imperial bureaucracy, and a grand capital city. - Early Japan borrowed much from Chinese culture but evolved its own character over time. **B. The Heian Age** - The Heian Age was a period of peace and prosperity, of aesthetic refinement and artificial manners. - The emperor began to diminish in power but continued to be a respected figure. - Since the Japanese court had few official responsibilities, they were able to turn their attention to art, music, and literature. - The Heian period is often called Japan\'s golden age. - During this time, aristocrats led a great flourishing of Japanese culture. - The aristocrats prized beauty, elegance, and correct manners. Over time, they developed new forms of literature and art. **C. The Feudal Era** - The Feudal Era was dominated by the samurai class which included the militaristic lords, the daimyo, and the band of warriors. - The Samurai who adhered to a strict code of conduct that emphasized bravery, loyalty, and honor. - Daimyo, any of the largest and most powerful landholding magnates in Japan from about the 10th century until the latter half of the 19th century. The Japanese word daimyo is compounded from dai ("large") and myō (for myōden, or "name-land," meaning "private land"). - In 1192, MINAMOTO YORITOMO became the Shogun or chief general, one of a series of Shoguns who rules Japan for over 500 years. - He established the first shogunate in Japan in 1192. Shogunates, or military governments, led Japan until the 19th century. - During this period in Japan\'s history, the shoguns held more power in society than the emperor and the imperial court. **D. The Tokugawa Shogunate** - In the late 1500s, the Tokugawa Shogunate crushed the warring feudal lords and controlled all of Japan from a new capital at EDO, now Tokyo. - by 1630 and for two centuries, Japan was a closed society. The Tokugawa Shogunate was notable for restoring order and unity to Japan, and it did this partly through upholding strict social hierarchies. The shogunate was the hereditary military dictatorship of Japan (1192--1867). Legally, the shogun answered to the emperor, but, as Japan evolved into a feudal society, control of the military became tantamount to control of the country. **RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS** - Two major faiths were essential elements in the cultural foundations of Japanese society. - [Shintoism]= Shinto or "the way of the gods". An ancient religion that reverse in dwelling divine spirits called KAMI which is found in natural places and objects. - While there is no supreme deity in Shinto, the most important kami, the goddess Amaterasu Okimaki, represents the sun.  - For this reason natural scenes, such as waterfall, a gnarled tree, or a full moon, inspired reverence in the Japanese people. - [Zen Buddhism] = Emphasized the importance of meditation, concentration, and self-discipline as the way to enlightenment. Zen rejects the notion that salvation is attained outside of this life and this world. **SOCIO-POLITICAL CONCEPTS** - Japan has integrated Confucian ethics and Buddhist morality which India implanted in China - The concepts of GIRI, ON, and SEPPUKU explain why the average Japanese are patriotic, or sometimes ultra-nationalistic. **A. GIRI** - Giri embodies a sense of obligation or duty based on a strong loyalty to a person or organization. - It connotes duty, justice, honor, decency, respectability, courtesy, love, and gratitude. **B. ON** - Suggests a sense of obligation or indebtedness which propels a Japanese to act, as it binds the person perpetually to other individuals to the group, to parents, teachers, superiors, and the emperor. **C. SEPPUKU** - Seppuku is a form of taking one\'s own life that was considered honourable among the feudal Japanese samurai class. **POETRY** - Poetry is an integral part of daily life in ancient Japanese society, serving as a means through which anyone could chronicle experiences and express emotions. **The Manyoshu (Book of Ten Thousand Leaves)** - An anthology by poets from a wide range of social classes, including the peasantry, the clergy, and the ruling class. - Is one of the oldest and most popular means of expression and communication in the Japanese culture. - Clergy means the group of religious officials (as priests, ministers, or rabbis) specially prepared and authorized to conduct religious services. [There are different poems according to set forms or structures:] **A. CHOKA** - Poems that consist of alternate lines of five and seven syllables with additional seven-syllabe line at the end. There is no limit to the number of lines which end with envoys, or pithy summations. **B. TANKA** - The most prevalent verse form in traditional Japanese literature. It consists of five lines of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables, including at least one caesura or pause. - Tanka often tells a brief story or expresses a single thought or insight on the common subjects of love and nature. - Used as a means of communication in ancient Japanese society **C. RENGA** - A chain of interlocking tanka. Each tanka within a renga was divided into verses of 17 and 14 syllables composed by different poets as it was fashionable for groups of poets to work together during the age of Japanese feudalism. **D. HOKKU** - Hokku was the opening verse of a renga which developed into a distinct literary form known as the Haiku. - The Haiku consists of 3 lines of 5-7-5 syllables characterized by precision, simplicity, and suggestiveness. Almost all haiku include a kigo or seasonal words. **HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF KOREA** - Go-Joseon (2333 BC - 108 BC) - The Three Kingdoms (50 BCE - 668 CE) - Silla (57 BCE - 68 CE) - Baekje (18 BCE - 663 CE) - Goguryeo (37 BCE - 668 CE) - Goryeo Dynasty (918 - 13912) - Joson Dynasty (1392 - 1897) - Japanese Colonial Rule (1910 - 1945) **GO - JOSEON** **(2333 BC - 108 BC)** - King Dan-gun established Go-Joseon in 2333 B.C - According to Korean mythology King Dan‐gun was the founding father of Go‐Joseon. - Gaecheonjeol - Korea's national foundation day. - Go‐Joseon was divided into three kingdoms, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. **GOGURYEO** **(37 BCE - 668 CE)** - Among three Kingdoms, Goguryeo was the second to become a developed nation. - It became a powerful country in the Manchuria and northern Korea peninsula. - Jumong was the founding king of Goguryeo, which eventually became the largest dynasty in Korean history. Also known as the Holy King of the East, mythological tales of his origins mostly follow the same basic story. **BAEKJE (18 BCE - 663 CE)** - The Baekje Kingdom was situated in the southwestern region of the Korean peninsula. - It imported Chinese culture and introduced Buddhism to Japan. - Controlling territory in the south-western part of the peninsula the kingdom was in constant rivalry with the other two kingdoms of the period: [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) and [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) **SILLA (57 BCE - 68 CE)** - Situated in the mountainous region in the southeast of the Korean peninsula, Silla developed later than the other two kingdoms. - It gained strength in the 7th century and joined forces with the Dang Dynasty of China to defeat the Baekje and Goguryeo Kingdoms unifying the Three Kingdoms. - It unified the southern portion of the Korean peninsula. Unification of The then three kingdoms Baekjae, Gaya, and Silla made theUnified Silla. **UNIFIED SILLA** - Unified Silla (668-935) made a public administration reform (provincial level, district level, and so on), tax system reform as well as military reform. - Silla enhanced her relationship with China and Japan, especially trade development with Japan. - It integrated the cultures of GeGuRyeo, BaekJe, and Silla, thus laying the foundation for a sophisticated national culture. - The temple Bulguksa are examples of advanced Korean architecture and Buddhist influence. - Gyeongju, the 1000-year-old capital of Silla remains as a gigantic open-air museum where one can see the splendid history of Silla. **UNIFIED SILLA AND BALHAE** - The displaced people of Goguryeo founded Balhae in Manchuria and the Northern region of the Korean peninsula after Silla unified the Three Kingdoms. - Balhae styled itself as GoGuRyeo\'s successor state, the culture, government structure, and geopolitical system. - In Balhae there was relative peace and stability. Balhae flourished, especially during the long reign of the third Emperor Mun (r. 737-793) and King Seon. - Balhae was severely weakened by the 10th century, and the Khitan Liao Dynasty conquered Balhae in 926. - Unfortunately, there are very few surviving artifacts or [literature](https://www.worldhistory.org/literature/) from the period, but we do know that the arts flourished, notably Balhae poetry, some examples of which survive, largely those taken by Balhae diplomats to Japan. **GORYEO** **(918 - 13912)** - The Goryeo dynasty was founded by Wang-Geon, a descendant of the Goguryeo dynasty. - The Goryeo dynasty centralized the political system and adopted Buddhism as the national religion and Confucianism as its political ideology. - The Goryeo dynasty was highly interested in education. It built schools and implemented the civil service examination system to hire talented citizens as government officials. This led to the emergens of the "literati". - The publication of Tripitaka Koreana onto 80,000 wooden blocks and the invention of metal-type printing press in A.D. 1234 attest to Goryeo\'s cultural achievements. **JOSEON** **(1392 - 1897)** - The Joseon Dynasty was established in 1392 by Lee, Seonggye, a military commander of the Goryeo dynasty. - It lasted for 500 years until Korea was occupied by Japan in 1910. - Joseon adopted Confucianism as its political ideology that focused on morality, education, and social order. - King SeJong (1418-1450) was the 4th king of the Josun Dynasty. - He is considered to be the greatest king in the history of Korea. - He was a distinguished linguist, and is known to have been knowledgeable on phonology. - At that time, he criticized the present of using only Chinese characters and invented the Korean Script Hangul (Hunminjeongeum), phonetic symbols that harmonize with the characteristics of the Korean language. - Afterward, the name was changed to \[hangeul\] (the Korean language), which means great language and has been called so till the present. - Scientific instruments such as sun dial, water clock and rain gauge; court music; and musical instrument were developed during Sejong's reign. - Between 1592-1636, Korea suffered two foreign invasions: Japanese and Chinese Invasion. - This lasted for seven years and ended in 1599. - The Kingdom of Josun was ended in 1910 when Japanese troops took over the power and that marked the beginning of the Japanese colony upon Korean territory **JAPANESE COLONY** - The Japanese colony over Korea lasted for thirty five years (1910-1945). - Koreans were able to demonstrate a series of protests which later known as the March First Independence Movement (1919). This had lead to a violence that killed about 7,000 Koreans and limited their rights - Korean Language and newspapers were forbidden and Korean citizens were encouraged to use Japanese names. - On August 15, 1945, Korea gained independence as Japan surrendered after the World War II. **THE DIVISION OF KOREA** - After the Japanese Colony, Korea was supposed to gain independence but , in contrast, he was divided into two: - The Republic of Korea or South Korea supported by the USA in August 15, 1948 - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea or North Korea controlled by the Soviet Union in September 9, 1948 - The North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. - With better weapons, North Korea took only three days to control Seoul - The US feared that this would lead to communist aggression elsewhere in the world and thus asked the United Nations Security Council to intervene **KOREA'S LITERARY TRADITION** - Modern Literature dating from the early 1900's, was initially influenced by Western models, especially realism in fiction and imagism and symbolism in poetry. - Korean literature has embodied two distinct characteristics: a. Emotional Exuberance -- deriving from the native tradition. b. Intellectual Rigor -- originating in Confucian tradition - Korean literature consists of oral literature: a. Literature written in Chinese Ideographs or called Han-mun - Han-mun -- the literary language of the scholar-bureaucrats who constituted the Korean elite from the early times. - Hangul, although promulgated in 1446, it did not gain wide-spread acceptance as literary language until the 20^th^ century. **KOREA'S PRE-MODERN LITERATURE** **HYANNGA** - The earliest surviving examples of Korean literature. - Oral origins as well as those composed and written down by individuals, primarily by Buddhist and Silla youth warriors known as Hwarang. - They have both religious and folk overtones. Examples: 1. Sodong-Yo by Chinpyong (579-632) 2. Choyong-Ka -- a Shaman chant that represents the influence of Shamanism in Korea **HANSHI (HANSI)** - Poetry composed in classical Chinese and following Chinese principles of poetry, but written by Koreans - Became widespread among Unified Silla - It was the rise of Confucianism in Korea, and the development and founding of National Confucian College - Ch'oe Chiwon -- the first great Korean exemplar of Hanshi whose poems have survived. **ARIRANG** - Probably the Korea's best-known folksong - The lyrics inside this folksong are called Channga (Love Songs) and Pyolgok (Special Songs) - collection of anonymous works such as Buddhist songs and Shaman songs, as well as songs composed by individuals. Examples: 1. Kashiri (Would You Now Leave Me?) - A parting song that is echoed in Korea's best-loved modern poem Azaleas 2. Chongsam Pyolgok - Reflects the realities of peasant life A. Hangul - Gave all Koreans a literary language of their own - Until the 1900's it was used primarily by women and commoners most of whom were not literate in Chinese - Only the elites has the capacity to read and write Chinese - First work written in Hangul is Yongbi Ochon-ka (Songs of Flying Dragons). This narrative is supposed to celebrate the virtues and moral authority of Joseon founder and his forebears B. Neo-Confucianism - Emphasis on exemplary Chinese text meant that Koreans would continue to study and use Chinese - The mastery of Chinese language will ensure their monopoly on learning and this continued for centuries after the creation of Hangul. **SHIJO (SIJO)** - Among the works that are written in this era, Shijo are the most numerous - These are short lyric verse from native tradition originated in Goryeo - It has three (3) lines with 14-16 syllables each - Three of the greatest Shijo practitioners are Chong Chol, Yun Son-do, and Kim Su-jang **KASA (GASA)** - Appeared in the mid 1400's - Usually written in balanced couplets, each couplet is divided into 2. The first one is having 3 or 4 syllables, and the second has 4 syllables, continuously. Example: 1. Kwandong Pyolgok (Song of Kangwon Scenes) **THE ROLE OF WOMEN DURING THIS PERIOD** - In Joseon times or earlier, women are discouraged from studying Chinese. - Even after the creation of Hangul, the Confucian emphasis on women's place inside the house made them reluctant to attach their name to their writings. - There are only two known woman who are brave enough to do so: Ho Nansorhan and Hwang Chin-I, who is a kisaeng or a professional entertaining woman - Only in the mid 1900's when people found a large amount of writing in Hangul. Some of these are: Diaries, Travelogues, Memoirs, and Biographies **KOREAN MODERN LITERATURE** - The development of Modern Korean Literature was because of two main reason: ENLIGHTENMENT and ANNEXATION. **ENLIGHTENMENT** - Was due to the modernization movement that swept the East Asia in the 20^th^ century - Young Koreans were exposed to the new ideals such as: a. Literacy b. Education c. Equality d. Human Rights **ANNEXATION** - It inspired a wave of nationalism that finally legitimized Hangul as the literary language of all Koreans. - It forced Korean authors to come to grip with the necessity of preserving their own language. - Uin the last years of the Japanese Occupation until their liberation in 1945, Koreans were prohibited to speak their own language or to publish in Korean. - The novels in the modern literature consists of themes or issues such as: a. Contemporary Issues b. Social Problems c. Intrafamily Intrigues d. Inspiration from patriotism - The first generation of modern Korean writers are the following: a. Yi Kwan-su -- enlightenment and nationalist agenda b. Yon Sang-sop -- modernization of Korean language c. Hyon Chin-gon -- fictional slices of life during Colonial era - Early-Modern Poetry is best represented by Kim Sowol who is much better known for his pen name than his original name Chong-sik. He utilized traditional Korean folksong rhythms to produce lyrics of exceptional melody. The other one is Chong Chi-yong, a master technician, the themes of his poems are solitude, nostalgia and nature. - Proletariat Literature emerged from Japanese colonial authorities from 1920-1935. Korean fiction writers began looking to the past or the countryside for their inspiration. - Among the most important works of modern Korean Fiction are the multivolume novel called Taeha Sosol (Great-river Fiction). This is a family saga of premodern times and usually features a historical background and several suggestions of family life. **ARABIAN RELIGION, CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS, AND LITERATURE** CUSTOMS AND TRADITION - The **Saudi Arabian** government recognizes the **Quran/Koran** as the Constitution of the country. - **Hospitality and guest care** are primary features of the customs and traditions in Saudi Arabia. - The culture of Saudi Arabia is framed by the customs and traditions in Saudi Arabia. - Since most of the religion in Saudi Arabia is **Islam,** most of their customs overlap with Islamic customs. - There are certain customs pertaining to the admittance of animals into the realm. - The Arabians are dignified and hospitable people. **Work and social life are strictly divided by sex.** EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA - **Education in Saudi Arabia is segregated by sex** and divided into separately administered systems: - General education for boys - Education for girls Traditional Islamic education (for boys) - Their education system has five divisions: - Kindergarten (3-6 years old) - Elementary (6-11 years old) - Intermediate (12-14 years old) - Secondary Level (15-18 years old) - University level (typically 19-24 years old) **FREEDOM OF RELION** - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an **Islamic theocratic monarchy** in which **Islam** is the official religion. - **Non-Islamic proselytism is illegal**, and conversion by Muslims to another religion (apostasy) carries the death penalty. - **Islam does not have ordained clergy or priests.** - A theocratic monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch (king or queen) rules under the belief that they are divinely guided or ordained by a deity. - In this system, the monarch may also have significant religious authority, and laws are often based on religious doctrines. - Proselytism refers to the act or process of trying to convert someone to a different religion or belief, essentially the practice of making proselytes or encouraging religious conversion - This structure allows for a direct relationship between individuals and their faith without the need for intermediaries. THE BIRTH OF ISLAM - Around the year 610, MUHAMMAD, a native of the thriving commercial center of Makkah received a message from Allah through an angel named **Gabriel.** - In 622, learning of an assassination plot against him, he led his followers to the town of Yathrib, which was later named Madinat Al-Nabi (City of the Prophet), now simply known as **Madinah.** - Muslims believe the Quran was orally revealed by God to the final Islamic prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel incrementally over a period of some 23 years, beginning on the Night of Power, when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in 632, the year of his death. (Hijra) **WHAT IS ISLAM** - The word "**Islam**" in Arabic Language means "**submission**" and "**peace**". - A Muslim is a person who submits to the will of Allah and finds therein peace. - Islam is derived from the Arabic word "**Salaam**" meaning peace. WHO ARE THE MUSLIMS? - The Arabic word "Muslim" literary means "**someone who submits to the will of God**". - A Muslim is a person who freely accepts to base his beliefs and faith on the will of Almighty God. MOHAMMEDANS - a word often used to label Muslims. MECCA - The Islamic religion's holiest city of Mecca (also known as Mekka or Makkah) is located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. - Muslims face Mecca during their daily prayers and one of the key tenets of Islam is a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in Muslim's life (known as Hajj). **FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM** - These are the five basic acts in Islam, considered obligatory for all believers. The Quran presents them as a framework for worship and a sign of commitment to the faith. **1. Testimony (Shahada)** - which is the basic creed of Islam that must be recited under oath with the specific statement: " 'ashadu 'al'la ilaha illa-llahu was'ashadu 'aana muhammadan rasulu-llah" or "I testify there are no dieties other than God alone and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God". **2. Prayer (Salat)** - ritual prayers must be performed five times a day. It is a compulsory but flexibility in the specifics is allowed depending on the circumstances A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims who often refer to it by its Arabic name, Masjid. **3. Fasting (Sawm)** - fasting from food and drink (among other drinks) must be performed from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadhan. Sawm is not obligatory for several groups whom it would constitute an undue burden. - Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (Lunar) - Feb 28 -- March 29 **4. Alms-giving (Zakat)** - is giving fixed portion of accumulated wealth by those who can afford it to help the poor or needy, and also to assist the spread of Islam. It is considered as a religious obligation that the well-off owe to the needy because their wealth is seen as a "trust from God's bounty". **5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)** - during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime. FAMOUS WRITERS 1. **Abdo Khal** - his works, written in a distinctive style that blends Qur'anic Arabic with dialectal Arabic. He studied political science before becoming a novelist and his works criticized the corruption of the very wealthy in the Arab world. 2. **Khalil Gibran** - a Lebanese-American artist, poet, and writer. He is chiefly known in the English-speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose. Gibran is the 3rd best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu. **3. Ali Bader** - an award winning Arabic novelist and film producer. His novels are considered unique in Arabic fiction, with critics already spotting what they believe to be clear imitations. **KORAN** - The greatest book of the Arabs is the Koran, also spelled as the Quran, which contains the revelations of their God, Allah, to Mohammed. - Before they open the Koran, they kiss it and touch it to their forheads in token of deep reverence. - It is an exact record of words revealed by God through the angel Gabriel to the Muhammad. He memorized it and then taught his companions. - It deals with all the subjects that concern all human beings: wisdom, beliefs, worship, and law. - It also provides guidelines for a just society, proper human relationships, and equal divisions of power.