So far I have been writing about the immerse Japanese literature,
which is indeed wonderful, fruitful, extremely metaphorical and above
all, didactic. With all respect for that, the time has come to
present the Japan from its roots, some of them, by means of
historical periods has been already presented by me, not thoroughly
though.
Without a cloud of doubt Japan is a unique place, one of the leading Asian nations, very dynamic and hermetic. Despite its politeness, friendliness, openness toward other cultures, it is still closed, once I met someone, who have been living in Japan for nearly twenty years, and, still, replied, ''(…) I am a foreigner in my own country (...)''
Japan is rich in natural goods, however, the country import some of them from abroad, which is not so expensive, for instance 85% of energy is imported, it is nothing, but, outsourcing. Japanese are very traditional, the heritage of theirs is culture, is what their ancestors left behind. They cultivate it and prize it. Like no one else. People tend to argue, that it is not China but Japans which so urbanized, overpopulated. A wonderful country, naturally I disagree. India and China are the two, the most populated countries in the world.
The war was very harsh for Japanese people, it enforced so unavoidable changes, it was something, Japan had to undergo. The Atomic Invasion was a bitter pill to swallow. The victimization was widely spread in Japan. Till nowadays, people will be struggling to understand …. why? Was the bombing necessary. I respond 'Yes', if you ask me. The war would have no end, whatsoever. Japanese political scene is overdone by scandals, turmoil, financial disputes. The Y generation is disillusioned, dissatisfied and disappointed by the democracy, by the monarchy, by the outcomes of westernization. Jobless and underpaid, they migrate, mostly the Canada and the USA.
The position of women also developed, Japanese women are indeed very, very independent, the geisha position became much more symbolical in Japan, which doesn't mean – unimportant. It is still prized and very much respected. But women had to change. The society might now observe the levels the Japanese women evolved, from modest silent and obedient geisha, to ever-loving, long-lasting devoted mother and wife, to independent, self-sufficient businesswoman. The stereotypes in Japan are alive, not contrary, not misleading, and not false and fake.
Japanese language is not an archaic language, luckily for us, it will not become extinct. It still develops. Japanese learn languages, the process of acquisition is fast, I am full of admiration how skillful they are, moreover, studying at international universities in UK, the USA, Canada opens them various, unquestionable possibilities, job market, unforgettable experience. Something it is worth fighting for.
Geography & Early Culture.
Yes, it is true, alike Holland and Great Britain, Japanese geography
is strictly combined, determined, and dependent from the seashore,
marine history and marine industry. The society of Japan had been
shaped by the naval history, I would dare to write, the harsh life.
As much as it is a beautiful country it is also, treacherous and
dangerous. Japan is surrounded by volcanic, rocky islands, the
oceanic currents and elusive and deceitful.
Moreover the strain of
underground tunnels and canals made layer of thick rocks, which form
the elevation of Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. The mountain
is more than 12.000 feet. Five-mile deep oceanic trenches and 500
active volcanoes made you think to be quite careful when being of
shore of Japan.
The island is restless, the continuous volcanoes and
tsunami made tremendous devastations of the island and people. The
government tries to stop this natural disasters, however, it is
unstoppable, nit possible to prevent, luckily, possible to foresee and
predict. The winter time in Japans is nothing but a mosaic of
colors, from the snowy peaks of the volcanoes to ever-green forests.
The countryside is overwhelmingly breathtaking, however, there is something more behind this polished façade. Namely, ¾ of the country is simply far too steep for farming, the rivers are not the Holland's rivers, quiet with slow torrent easy to navigate. Japanese ones are violent, narrow and too shallow to be navigated and controlled. The nature might be very perilous. The same genetic heritage makes Japan so interesting, so passionate country to meet, almost everyone speaks, reads, writes the same language. Shared the same traditional history, participate in the same, coherent educational system. Japan is unified.
Early Japan
It was first China, than, Japan, recorded by means of when it has been
inhabited. It was estimated that life and domestication was present
in the Island back 250.000 years. The remnants of the hunting turfs
and first settlements go back 11.000 years. The most recognizable
will always be the Society of Jomon. It is famous from its
coiled-clay pottery. The society thrived in central Honshu and
northern Kyushu. The dwellings were characterized by building
earthen-pit huts. Very original and very strong. The society used
bone tools, forest fruits, nuts, berries, roots and seeds. The Jomon
society was largely dependent on vegetarian diets. The mastered fish
and shellfish hunting from the nearby, shallow rivers. The religious
artifacts resemble the cultures of Korea and Manchuria, as well as
Central Asian Turks. What is important, Jomon people were not
violent, they were not warriors. They were nomads and hunters,
craftsmen. The culture gradually lost its influence over the
territory it occupied, it had been taken over by the other one –
so-called Yayoi (whose main turf was Tokyo prefecture). The
historical sources indicate the gradual mingling of two cultures. The
technological advancement of Yayoi people swallowed less advanced,
peaceful craftsmen of Jomon.
Jomon Pottery
Yayoi people were, indeed, very advanced, they were able to make
metal tools and weapons, mirrors, bells, Chinese and Korean coins.
They were skillful – they masterminded and implemented sophisticated
system of crop irrigation, this system has not been changed for over
2.200 years and became fundamental in agriculture. They were very
much different from the Jomon people who worshipped the nature, the
Gods of nature, the animals and every living creature. The power of
nature determined their believes and way they lived and prospered.
They wondered all around the country, planted their crops. Most of
the Yayoi holy places are nearby the streams, forests, and rivers,
mountain lines. Yayoi culture was rich in iron, metal goods,
something that was quite durable, long-lasting, their tools changed
the notion of trade, the way people merchandised and lived. Yayoi
culture was submerged by Kofun 'Tomb' civilization.
Yayoi tools & settlings
The name refers to
the huge, monumental tombs the culture left behind. This civilization
was highly militarized, a bit far too violent, but, by no means of –
they spread their territory rapidly. However, the anthropologists
claim that it was not a violent domination but natural torrent of
events, the Yayoi were submerged by Kofun's. The culture took most of
its advanced settlings models from China which was much more advanced
and ingenious at that time. They lived under the thatched houses,
they wore iron helmets, as well as body armor, the swords, mirrors,
and coma-shape polished stones became the Three Treasures of the
Japanese Regalia.
Kofun's art
Their tombs were studded/ filled with rings. The
Kofun culture is believed to be the finest one. By the time of the
Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty in China. The three cultures; Jomon,
Yayoi and Kofun had to struggle with a predominant one the Caucasian
Ainu, which was very brutal, conquer-like. They gradually have take
the island of Hokkaido. Their dominance was obvious, unquestionable.
They had a distinctive language, religion alike their Siberian
counterparts.
Bibliography:
1. The Cambridge History of Japan, 2001
2. Japan History; From Prehistoric to Modernity, 1999
3. The Oxford History of the World, 1997
4. The Modern Nation: The History of Japan, Second Edition, 2009
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