Early Japan to 1616
Fall 2013
Prof. Dodgen
This course explores the origins of Japanese culture and society from the
Paleolithic up to c. 1700. The course will pursue such topics as the origins of the
Japanese people, the nature of pre-historic Japanese society and technology, the rise
of clan federations and early imperial rule, the influence of China and Korea on the
political and religious institutions of Early Japan, and the origins and development
of military culture. Readings for the course will focus on the role of aesthetics in
Heian Japan as well as the collapse of early imperial rule as warrior society came to
dominate Japan after the twelfth century. We will conclude by looking at the
consequences of the century of civil war that ended with the founding of Japan’s last
shogunate, the Tokugawa, and the first period of interaction with European
missionaries and merchants.
Books:
Three books are required for the course:
Japan to 1600, by William Wayne Farris
The Confessions of Lady Nijo, trans. Karen Bazell
The World of the Shining Prince, by Ivan Morris
All of these are available in the bookstore or can be purchased from online
bookstores. World of the Shining Prince and Lady Nijo can often be found
used.
Grading:
Grades will be based on two in-class exams consisting of essay
questions and short-answer items and two typed, 5-7 page papers on The
World of the Shining Prince and The Confessions of Lady Nijo. These papers
will be written in response to questions provided by the instructor and will
require page citations for evidence. In-class essay questions will focus on the
readings and lectures. Short-answer items will be drawn from the list of
identification items provided.
Each test and paper will count for one-fourth of the final grade.
Plagiarism will result in a grade of “F” and possible disciplinary action. If you
are unsure about how to cite your take-home essays, visit me during office
hours to discuss any questions you have.
Some of the documents assigned on this syllabus as well as other
valuable research materials can be found at the Internet Asian History Source
Book web site at:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/eastasia/eastasiasbook.html
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you are a student with a disability and think you may need
accommodation in this course, you must contact the Disabled Students
Services located in Stevenson 1038 (664-2677).
My office hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 10:45-12:15. My office is
2066 Stevenson, extension 42462. You can also contact me by e-mail at
dodgen@sonoma.edu
Plagiarism and cheating: Cases of plagiarism or cheating will not only result in a
failing grade, but will be referred to university disciplinary authorities and can
result in expulsion from the university.
Terms for the midterm and final exam can be found at:
http://www.sonoma.edu/users/d/dodgen/terms/338test1.doc
and
http://www.sonoma.edu/users/d/dodgen/terms/338test2.doc
Date
8/20-22
8/27-29
Syllabus
Topics and Assignments
Introduction and discussion.
Issues of origins and identity: prehistoric Japan.
Maps of Japan and a discussion of the county’s geography are
available at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Japan
Readings: Japan to 1600, introduction and chapter 1.
Legends and Gods: Kami worship and creation myths.
Readings: http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/IzLe/Japanese-Mythology.html
Visit the Yayoi village at Yoshinogari at:
http://www.yoshinogari.jp/en/contents2/categoryId_3.html
9/3-5
Yamato.
Strength at the center: from Himiko’s realm to Imperial
9/10-12
Capital steps: from Nara to Heian.
Readings: The World of the Shining Prince, Introduction and
chapter; Japan to 1600, chapter 2.
“Chinese logographic writing” at:
http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/chinlng4.html
“Japanese Writing” at:
http://www.ancientscripts.com/japanese.html
Material on the archeology of Kofun and Nara period Japan can
be found at: http://www.hgeo.h.kyoto-u.ac.jp/soramitsu/
Readings: “Excerpts from the reform edict of Taika” at:
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/japan/taika.pdf
The World of the Shining Prince chapter 2; Japan to 1600,
chapter 3.
9/17-19
flourishes.
Everything you wanted to know about sects: Buddhism
Readings: The World of the Shining Prince: chapters 3 and 4.
9/24-26
Rule by aesthetics: the world of the imperial glitterati.
Readings: The World of the Shining Prince, chapters 5 and 6.
10/1-3
Early warriors and military technology.
Readings: Japan to 1600, chapter 4.
10/8-10
Film: “Sansho the Baliff.”
10/15-17
Failures and success in the Tohoku.
Readings: Complete The World of the Shining Prince, discussion
Thursday.
10/22-24
Tuesday: review for midterm;
Thursday, midterm exam. Take-home essay due.
10/29-31
Minamoto.
The Heike saga: the fall of the Taira and the rise of the
11/5-7
government.
11/12-14
Readings: Lady Nijo to page 120; Japan to 1600, chapter 5.
The Kamakura bakufu: the first warrior
Readings: Lady Nijo, pages 121 to 226.
Kamikaze: Pyrrhic victory over the Mongols.
Readings: Lady Nijo, complete, discussion; Japan to 1600,
chapter 6.
11/19-21
A brilliant failure: Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
The Onin War: the low oppress the high.
11/26
Film: “Yojimbo”
11/28
No class--Thanksgiving break.
12/2-4
Tokugawa.
The struggle for unity: Nobunaga, Hideyoshi,
Readings: Japan to 1600, chapter 7.
Thursday: Review for final exam.
12/12
Final exam: 2:00-3:50, take home essay due.
*This syllabus is subject to modification at any time. Students are responsible for all
material presented in class, including changes to the due dates of assignments or the
timing or content of exams.