HISTORY 271/AAAS 271
Japan to 1600
Syllabus: Fall, 2003
Required Books:
M. Hane, Premodern Japan. A Historical Study. Westview Press pb.
D. J. Lu, Japan. A Documentary History, vol. I. M. E. Sharpe/East Gate pb.
D. Keene, ed., Anthology of Japanese Literature. Grove Press pb.
R. Tyler, tr., The Tale of Genji (by) Murasaki Shikibu. Penguin Classic pb.
Scope of the Course:
At a point early in the 17th century – in the aftermath of the climactic battle of Sekigahara
(1600), the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate (1603 - 1868), and the storming of Osaka
Castle (1615) – Japan was at last unified and largely free from the persistent civil warfare that
had marked its history since the 12th century. The new regime soon decided that it would be best
for Japan to isolate itself from virtually all external influences – especially those of the Western
imperial powers – and to eliminate Christianity, in their minds the vanguard of Western control.
Much later, as Japan was opened to the outside world, modernized, and became a world ‘player’,
the Japanese became interested once again in their early history and, in the service of a national
self-image, to reinvent it.
This course examines Japanese history, society, and culture from its prehistoric origins
until the early 17th century. Employing primary historical and literary sources, as well as the
fruits of research by modern Japanese and non-Japanese scholars, we will explore such issues as:
state and power; Chinese and Korean influences; religion (Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, and
Christianity); Confucian models; the roles of emperors, warriors, regents and shogun; values;
masterpieces of Japanese literature (poetry, novels, mythic narratives, historical records, diaries,
and drama); economy; class (aristocrats, samurai, daimyo, peasants, and merchants), and art &
architecture.
Requirements:
You are responsible for all the assigned readings and materials covered in class. I will
introduce a lot of material not dealt with extensively, if at all, in the textbook. Missing class is
not a good idea; if you must, get the notes from someone else in class.
There will be two examinations: an in-class mid-term (one essay) and a final (two
essays). On both examinations, you will have a choice of questions. The final will not be
cumulative. In addition, all students will be expected to write a 5-7 page paper on The Tale of
Genji; this is not a research paper and you may use the book in writing your essay. A list of topic
suggestions appears on the last page of this syllabus.
Topics and Readings Guide
The following is an approximate guide to the readings and the number of classes I intend
to devote to the various topics. I will provide periodic updates, since some adjustments may
prove necessary, depending on class response to the material. Please note that October 6th and
November 7th are the only dates on which I will not hold class. As a rule, you should make
every effort to stay ahead in the reading.
The Tale of Genji imposes a particular obligation to begin reading early in the semester.
While we will read only chaps. 1-41, that is still a great deal of reading. Tyler provides excellent
information at the head of each chapter and in the footnotes; do not ignore those aids. It would be
wise to take notes on the readings.
Sept. 3:
Introduction to the Course
Sept. 5:
Problems in Japanese Historiography
READ: Hane, 1-4; Lu, 36-39.
Sept. 8:
Japanese Language and Writing Systems
Sept. 10:
The Geography and Ecology of Japan
READ: Hane, 5-8.
Sept. 12,15:
Japan: Mythohistory and Prehistory
READ: Hane, 9-15; Lu, 3-11; Keene, 19-30, 54-58.
Sept. 17-22:
Japan, ca. 300 - 794 C.E.
READ: Hane, 15-43; Lu, 11-36, 39-50; Keene, 33-53, 59-60.
Sept. 24 Oct. 17:
October 20:
Oct. 22Nov. 5:
Nov. 10-21:
Heian Japan: 794 - 1185
READ: Hane, 44-60, Lu, 51-104; Keene, 63-105, 137-76; Tale of Genji, Intro.
and chaps. 1-41.
******* MID-TERM EXAMINATION *******
The Age of the Kamakura bakufu: 1185-1333
READ: Hane, 61-85; Lu, 105-53; Keene, 179-228.
The Muromachi (or Ashikaga) Period: 1333-ca. 1560
READ: Hane, 86-110; Lu, 147-81; Keene, 231-331.
Nov. 24Dec. 5:
Dec. 8-12:
The Age of the Unifiers: ca. 1560 - 1600.
READ: Hane, 111-34; Lu, 181-201.
The Tokugawa Settlement: 1600 - ca. 1650
READ: Hane, 130-56; Lu, 203-25.
History 271/AAAS 271 is a 4-credit course that meets M, W, F 10:50 - 11:50.
Instructor: Professor Gerald E. Kadish
Office: LT 609
Office phone (and voice mail): 777-2488
E-mail address: kadishg@binghamton.edu
Office hours: M 3:30 - 4:30; W 9:40-10:40, Th 1:10-2:30 and by appointment.
5
Themes in “The Tale of Genji”
The following is a list of themes or topics to pau attention to as you read The Tale of
Genji. It is by no means exhaustive, but should give you some idea of the dort of thing you might
write about in your brief paper. If other topics occur to you, feel free to let me know. The topics
below are in no particular order.
The paper is due on November 10, 2003 and is to be 7-5 pages in length. I will not read
past page 7, so curb any propensity toward wordiness. The essay should be well organized and
written in clear, idiomatic English.
Gossip
Clothing/costumes
Tears/weeping
Friendship (male and female)
Self-deprecation
The role of the Lotus Sutra
Perfume
Sex
Calligraphy/paper/ink/branch
Commoners/servants
Metaphors of beauty
Personal space/privacy/female seclusion
Relationship between the poetry and the prose
Shinto: practices, shrines
Poetry contests
Buddhist practices, temples
Murasaki’s authorial intrusions into the narrative
Attitudes toward death
Promotions: during lifetime and post mortem
Gift giving
Worry about what people might think
Geomancy
Memories/dreams
Wizards/magic
Priests, monks, nuns
Ghosts, demonic forces, possession
Attitudes toward women (by men/by women)
Women’s attitudes towards men
Marriage/ husbands, wives, concubines
Elite sports
Festivals and processions
The Moon
Gardens
Houses/Mansions
Responses to illness
Music: dancing, singing, playing instruments
Elite attitudes toward the provinces
Pilgrimages to shrines/temples
Nature