Early Japan to 1616
Fall 2009
Prof. Dodgen
This course explores the origins of Japanese culture and
society from the Paleolithic up to c. 1700. It will pursue such
topics as the origins of the Japanese people, the nature of prehistoric Japanese society and technology, the rise of clan
federations and the early imperial rule, the origins and
development of military culture, and the political and religious
institutions of Early Japan. We will take a close look at the
aesthetic culture of Heian Japan and at the role of women in
Japan’s cultural and literary traditions, and then trace the rise
of the warrior society that came to dominate Japan after the
twelfth century. The influence of China and Korea on Japan and
the role of Buddhism in shaping Japanese thought will also be
examined.
Books:
Three books are required for the course:
The World Turned Upside Down, by Francois Souyri
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 in used
bookstores.
There is no overall text for the early part of the
course. The World of the Shining Prince provides a great
deal of background, but those who feel the need for a
narrative overview of the events of the pre-medieval
period should consider H. Paul Varley’s Japanese Culture,
available in paperback in the bookstore. The World
Turned Upside Down is meant to serve as a text for the
later part of the course.
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 supporting
material. 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 Monday and Wednesday, 10:45-11:45,
Tuesday mornings by appointment. 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
Syllabus
Topics and Assignments
8/26
Introduction and discussion.
8/31-9/2
Japan.
Issues of origins and identity: prehistoric
an
Maps of Japan and a discussion of the county’s
geography are available at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Jap
9/9
Legends and Gods: Kami worship and
creation myths.
Readings: “Shinto creation myths” at
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ANCJAPAN/CREA
T.HTM
and “Shinto” at
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ANCJAPAN/SHINTO.HTM,
also
“Yayoi and Jomon” at
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ANCJAPAN/YAYOI.
HTM
9/14-16
Strength at the center: from Himiko’s realm
to Imperial Yamato.
  Readings: The World of the Shining Prince,
Introduction and chapter 1.
“Chinese logographic writing” at:
http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9
/phalsall/texts/chinlng4.html
“Japanese Writing” at:
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ANCJAPA
N/WRITING.HTM
Material on the archeology of Kofun and Nara
period Japan can be found at:
http://www.hgeo.h.kyotou.ac.jp/soramitsu/
9/21-23
Capital steps: from Nara to Heian.
Readings: “The Taika Reform Edicts” at:
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ANCJAPAN/TA
IKA.HTM
The World of the Shining Prince chapter 2.
9/28-30
Everything you wanted to know about sects:
Buddhism flourishes.
Readings: The World of the Shining Prince:
chapters 3 and 4.
10/5-7
glitterati.
Rule by aesthetics: the world of the imperial
Readings: The World of the Shining Prince,
chapters 5 and 6.
10/12
No class, furlough day.
10/14
Early warriors and military technology.
10/19-21
10/26-28
Failures and success in the North.
Readings: Complete The World of the Shining
Prince, discussion Wednesday.
Monday: review for midterm;
Wednesday, midterm exam.
11/2-4
The Heike saga: the fall of the Taira and the
rise of the Minamoto.
Readings: Lady Nijo to page 120; The World
Turned Upside Down chapters 1-2.
Assignment on Shining Prince due Wednesday.
11/9
government.
The Kamakura bakufu: the first warrior
Readings: Lady Nijo, pages 121 to 226; The
World Turned Upside Down chapters 3-6.
11/16-18
Kamikaze: Pyrrhic victory over the Mongols.
Readings: Lady Nijo, complete, discussion; The
World Turned Upside Down chapters 7-8.
Ashikaga: the low oppress the high.
Readings: The World Turned Upside Down
chapters 9-10.
11/23
No class, furlough.
11/25
Thanksgiving break.
11/3012-2
chapter 11.
A brilliant failure: Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
Readings: The World Turned Upside Down
The struggle for unity: Nobunaga, Hideyoshi,
Tokugawa.
Readings: The World Turned Upside Down
chapter 12.
Assignment on Lady Nijo due Monday
12/7-9
12/?
The Tokugawa answer: service to the lord.
“The last statement of Torii Mototada” at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torii_Mototada
Wednesday, review for exam.
Final Exam
*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.