Abstract The paper discusses the nature of the Japanese tea garden and its focus on art and symbolism. The paper explains the essential role each section of the garden and the buildings built within it, play in the Tea Ceremony. The paper also looks at the type of trees and plants featured in the garden.
From the Paper "The waiting area or yoritsuki is a small building near the gate of the garden used for part of the Japanese purification ritual. Guests wait in this building or area before the beginning of the tea ceremony. While they wait, they are seated on a carpet or bench, where they may partake of cups of hot water, or of the tobacco tray. The tobacco tray holds loose tobacco and two pipes. This is placed in the waiting area, as there is no smoking allowed in the Tea House. (Cheeke)"
Tags: serenity, gardening, tranquility, chashitsu, Zen
This paper discusses the relationship between the U.S.S.R. and the Mongolian People's Republic in the latter half of the 20th century and the effect the People's Republic of China had on this relationship.
3,729 words (approx. 14.9 pages), 7 sources, 2003, $ 103.95
Abstract This essay looks at the benefits Mongolia and the former U.S.S.R. stood to gain from their relationship with each other. The political, ideological, strategic, geographical and industrial perspectives of both countries are considered. Also considered are the feelings of the Mongolian people towards the Chinese, and how these feelings may have been manipulated.
From the Paper "The relationship between the USSR and the Mongolian People's Republic in the latter half of the 20th century is one that has its roots in a time before the creation of either Communist state. Chinggis Khan's Golden Horde had subjugated areas of Russia many centuries earlier. Russian letters from the mid 19th century proposed preparing a plan to annex Mongolia to Russia should the Manchu overlords ever withdraw into their Manchurian homeland. The Mongols had even appealed to the Russian Tsar for help whilst the Manchu ruled as the Qing dynasty. The crucial point though, is the early 20th century, when the relationship became more one of Elder Brother Younger Brother status, than one with views to colonization. This period formed the basis to a tight bond between the two countries lasting until the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s."
Abstract This paper discusses how, on his death, Lu Hsun was celebrated by Mao Tse-tung and others of the Communist Party as a spiritual father of the revolution, as its literary voice. The writer questions if this was simply the party taking advantage of the now silent writer's reputation, or whether he was truly the revolutionary that Mao claimed him to be.
From the Paper "Even though Lu Hsun was a devoted Marxist, and is credited with bringing many devotees into the fold of communism, he himself balked at joining the party, and never did, which was perceived as no small matter in determining enemies of the state during the cultural revolution that was to shortly follow. On studying Lu Hsun's life and his thoughtful approach to it, one realizes that it is doubtful that this was merely an oversight, but rather represented a hesitancy on his part to fully embrace the revolution that was unfolding. It may have been that he was not convinced that the revolution that had yet to mature in China was the real revolution. Throughout his work, he shows a tendency to rate the quality of revolutions, as he believed not all were equal. ?But only great revolutions can change literature, not small ones, for these do not count as revolutions.? (Hsun/Yang p327)"
A discussion of how the Chinese Government exercises authority on how its citizens use the internet, simultaneously restricting websites that are considered obscene or offensive to the government.
Abstract This paper examines how China would like to embrace the internet for the prosperity of its country while keeping their citizens safe from illegal material that could demoralize the society. It looks at how Chinese leaders are trying to make constructive usage of the Internet because they realize the profit wired economy can bring to their country and how they also feel that political discussions should not be openly accessible by their citizens or other countries since it can bring harm to the well being of their law and order situation. It looks at how the internet in China has been predominantly controlled by the authoritarian regimes and how officiating bodies are bent on filtering material and also have the users register online.
From the Paper "In China Playboy, CNN, BBC all have one thing in common, they have been blocked by the local ISPs. Even search engines like Google and AltaVista have become restricted sites. The Chinese government has blocked these sites because it finds them rebellious to their regime. The search engines have been blocked so that the citizens cannot access material that is anti-government and may threaten the ruling Communist Party. The Chinese government's does not approve of Google because it has the ability to allow the users to see cached websites. This ability allows the users to see archived sites that may have been deleted or blocked. However, Chinese people have their own way to get around this, they use Elgoog that is a site similar to Google and are not filtered. This site is written backward that is why it requires a mirror to be read. People can access Google by typing search queries backward in this site. The governments stand on blocking Alta Vista and Google have led the people to use domestic search engines that are approved by the communist government."
Abstract This paper stresses that, even though Western artists are looking for new ideas when they seek Oriental input, they can only interrupt the Orient through their own Western culture. The author explains that French painter Eugene Delacroix' "Death of Sardanapalus" and Austrian artist Leopold Carl Muller's "The Market in Cairo" are examples of orientalism in Western art. The author states that the Beatles, seeking the teachings of India's gurus, brought orientalism into modern pop culture.
From the Paper "The Western World that Delacroix knew lay on the brink of the Victorian age. Painted in 1827, the Death of Sardanapalus speaks to a people already grown accustomed to the strictures of middle-class morality. As older and wilder days ended, North Americans and Europeans were already entering into a new era of strong religious devotion, clean living, and sexual repression. The wanton abandoning of oneself to pleasure like Sardanapalus seemed to be something that was still possible only within the hidden corridors of the seraglio, a place where leering, bearded despots sought freely to satisfy their carnal lusts. The fact that Sardanapalus's world is about to be consumed in fire is but a fitting moral judgment. Though he can gape at the writhing, sensuous forms of the King's doomed attendants, the European or North American man can only dream of what he cannot have ? the pleasures of the flesh are condemned hellfire."
Abstract As the capital of the ?Land of Smiles,? Bangkok fascinates visitors from around the world by its dazzling architecture, culture and cuisine. Since the city experienced an economic boom in the 1980s, Bangkok has become a crowded city, with infamous traffic and pollution problems. Despite these problems, however, Bangkok remains one of the most attractive cities in the world. This paper begins with an introduction and geographic location of Bangkok. It then presents a general background to the history of the capital before exploring some of the city's major tourist attractions. Finally, the paper looks at local industry performance and problems which face the city such as pollution and traffic.
From the Paper "Bangkok is basically divided into two regions, the Old City and the newly developed areas east of the Old City, collectively referred to as the Greater Bangkok Metropolis. The Old City retains much of Bangkok's historical charm and architecture. Some of the less expensive places to stay are in the vicinity of the Old City, which houses most of Bangkok's major tourist attractions. The preservation of the Old City and its buildings makes Bangkok a model of harmonious contrasts: the major development can occur to the north and east of the Old City without encroaching on it."
Tags: klong, King, Rama, I, Chao, Phraya, Don, Muang
The paper analyzes the economic challenges currently facing Japan as a result of the recession that has hit the country following years of extraordinary economic growth.
Abstract The paper examines the major characteristics of the Japanese economy and its most important sectors-- industry and manufacturing. The paper compares the economic structure of Japan to the developed countries of Europe, such as Germany. The paper discusses the high rate of private and public investment in Japan and its lack of openness to foreign trade. The paper looks at the economic woes created as a result of the recession and the uncertainty with which the country is faced.
Table of Contents
About Japan
Economic Overview
Japan's Economic Structure
Japan's Investment Rates
Economic Woes
Japan's Trade Surplus
Japan's International Trading Process
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "While Japan is still very much focused on traditional culture, the country absorbed a great deal of Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Bartleby, 2000). After losing World War II, Japan experienced an amazing recovery, which secured its status as the second most powerful economy in the world and a loyal ally of the United States. Although the emperor holds the throne as a symbol of national unity, the actual power falls to a network of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown in the 1990s, following three decades of unprecedented growth, and currently has some serious economic challenges."
Abstract The paper examines Japan's change in foreign policy and resulting economic growth in the second half of the 20th Century, which allowed women to enter the workforce. The paper also looks at the social changes in marriage and family life that resulted from the women's employment. It also discusses the emerging Japanese women's liberation movement called "wuman ribu" and its attempts to raise social consciousness in Japan. The paper notes the differences in attitude between Western and Japanese cultures and the fact that Japan still has a long way to go before it achieves sexual equality, especially in the workplace.
Table of Contents
Modern Japan - How is it different?
What Women Gained
Women's Movement In Japan
Women In Economy
From the Paper "Women in Japan in the past 50 years have made a huge progress as far as their presence in the workplace is concerned. We have seen that most women in the past few decades decided to pursue a career instead of staying at home and raising children. While this has resulted in tremendous economic benefits for women, it has also affected their personal lives, which is the reason why most of them are facing a major dilemma today. They are not certain if they should continue being a part of the workforce or is it better to stay at home and do justice to their traditional roles. But women in Japan still complain of discrimination and inequality in the workplace. Sometimes it is about promotion that they deserved but did not get, at others it can be about the pay scale, which often tilts in favor of their male counterparts."
Tags: feminism, gender, imperialism, distribution, mass, production
Abstract With their dramatic increase in population and the racial unrest that resulted in the destruction of Korean businesses during the Los Angeles civil unrest, Korean Americans have emerged as one of the visible ethnic groups in the country. This paper uses a series of interviews with a typical Korean-American family to evaluate its perceptions of their ethnicity. It compares and contrasts how Father Park and Mother Park's definitions differ from the experiences of their daughter Sunny. It gives particular focus on how the members of the two generations accord a different importance to learning the Korean language. In the conclusion, the paper evaluates how the Park family uses language to shore up their definitions of ethnicity. By looking at the role language plays in the Park's definitions of being "Korean" or being ?American,? this paper contributes to the larger literature on the different methods people employ to construct their ethnic identities.
From the Paper "The Parks would like Sunny to ?remember where she came from,? and for them, remembering is strongly connected with language and with an acceptance of Korean-ness. While they recognize that Sunny was born and raised in the United States and cannot help but be a product of this social and cultural environment, they also express doubts on whether Sunny can truly classify herself as "American" or be accepted by others as an American.
Part of the Parks? stand is understandable, since they are naturally projecting their experiences of marginalization onto their daughter. Since language was an important foundation in the construction of social identity in their host country, they assume this will be the same for Sunny."
Abstract An in-depth research paper into China joining the WTO and the details of the agreement of trade tariffs and quotas that was established. The paper discusses the different business cultures between east and west and why these differing cultures made it harder to implement the changes into China's economy. The writer examines how these countries are now able to merge due to the trend of globalization - both economically and culturally.
I. Introduction
II. Review of Literature
China and the West in Business
Case Studies
Tips and Other Opinions
III. Methodology
IV. Results
A Convergence of Business Cultures?
Case Studies
Tips, Strategies and Opinions
V. Summary and Conclusion
Implications and Recommendations for Further Study
References
From the Paper "What makes China stand out as a global market potential, despite its status as an underdeveloped country, is its sheer size: its huge and diverse population of close to 1.2 billion is five times the US population. This makes China the world's largest consumer economy (Ralston et al). This is why those who wish trade with, and invest in, China must be most knowledgeable about Guanxi, the Chinese's negotiating behavior (Buttery and Leung, 1997). It is their access to the needed influence in China in order to make things happen there, in establishing political capital and building relationships, which foreign investors must have and use to do business in China. But Western or foreign investors must be most aware that they will not finish up with a single negotiation or accomplishing a quick return-on-investment. Guanxi requires the building of a life-long relationship with foreign investors and proof of certain virtues. The Chinese culture in business differs widely from the Western in a number of ways, which must be effectively addressed to insure business success."
Abstract One of the most dramatic changes that took place in Asia after WWII was that several countries that had been colonized or semi-colonized emerged as independent, self-governing states, freed from colonial rule. This paper discusses the arguments for and against the statement: Japan and Korea faced a favorable, international environment in the post-war period, through close alliances with the United States during the Cold War.
From the Paper "Once this happened, Japan started to improve its relations in the realm of international politics. In the 1950s and 1960s, Japan's policy in Southeast Asia revolved around economic diplomacy, where relations were low-key and focused more on economics than politics. From the late 1970s, however, with the Americans withdrawing from Vietnam, the Japanese stepped into the limelight. In the wake of the Cold War, Japan was brought into a kind of strategic balance of power between China and the United States. It was only after this period that Japan actually gained a strategic advantage in international politics."
Abstract This paper examines the importance of music and dance in the extremely successful film industry in India. It explains that because Indian films are made predominantly for semi-literate audiences, they contain numerous action scenes (fights), elaborate song and dance sequences, a fair dose of slapstick comedy and an obligatory love story. This paper discusses why this industry is so successful and the role music and dance play in its success.
From the Paper "In its historical development, India's film industry paralleled that of the West. Dadasaheb Phalke's Raja Harishchandra, the first silent film for popular consumption, appeared in 1913; Alam Ara, the first "talkie," was released in 1931. But the Indian cinema derived its unique flavor from the older Indian musical theater-particularly from the Urdu poetic dramas of the late nineteenth century. The influence of this tradition ensured that Indian movies would favor mythological or legendary-historical stories, that their dialogue would carry an Urdu flavor even in languages other than Urdu, and that every film would be a musical."
Abstract Japan is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the global business environment. It is imperative to gain an understanding of this nation's unique and intricate culture in order to facilitate success business ventures with its people. This paper first discusses an overview of the Japanese culture, including basic facts, history, government, religion and economy. An in-depth analysis is then performed on Japanese business practices, including Japanese values, meeting etiquette and protocol and women in the business world. Lastly, implications for domestic and international managers within Japan are examined. Also included are numerous interviews with businesspeople who have or are working in Japan to contrast their perspectives with those of North Americans.
Table of Contents:
Basic Facts
A Brief History
Japanese Government
Religion
The Japanese Economy
Japanese Business Practices
- Values in Practice
- Meeting Etiquette and Protocol
- Women in the Business World
Management Implications
Appendices:
Appendix I
Interview Results
Appendix II
Japan's Placement on
Indices in the Text
Appendix III
Top 15 Important Lessons Every Business Person Must Know Before
Doing Business WITH or IN Japan!
Appendix IV
How Culture Affects Management Approaches: Cultural Dimensions
Appendix V
A "Must-Know" List of List of Japanese Culture and Customs
Addendum
Article Summary: Current Intercultural Issues and Challenges
From the Paper "The Japanese have a deep-rooted culture and value system that helps to dictate their daily business dealings. Primary to these values is the concept of trust and of establishing long lasting relationships. The Japanese will go to great lengths to get to know their business counterparts in order to feel at ease with them. Thus, when Western managers first meet their Japanese counterparts, they should be ready to participate in discussions that cover topics such as personal hobbies and family life. Moreover, after creating a bond of trust between the two parties, it is expected that the relationship will last for some time as the Japanese value long lasting relationships that are of mutual benefit. This concept is based on the Japanese heritage of being an isolated nation where people stayed in one place for a long time and thus formed long lasting relationships."
Tags: akihitu, emperor, hokkaido, honshu, kyushu, shikoku, yen
Abstract From both the management's and the customer's point of view, customer service is a component of a business that is needed by both the deliverer and the user. The paper discusses the concept of customer service and how this concept changes in a global environment, taking the international banking industry as an example. The paper shows that a bank in the US would have to operate differently in China, as it would have to be more attune to the needs of the Chinese consumers rather than the American customers, even though its base and corporate governance is American. The paper discusses Christopher Earley and Miriam Erez's book "The Transplanted Executive" which explores the issue. The paper also shows how most banking organizations base their plans and strategies on three tiers: Coordination Tier, Boundary Tier and Customer Tier.
From the Paper "According to Schneider and Bowen [1995] in a service oriented organization, customers are the foundation for the business. Without them there is no business, therefore the main aim of the organization has to focus on servicing them, catering to their needs and meeting their expectations. For every organization and depending on the service that it provides, there are certain expectations and criteria that customers judge them. For example in the banking industry it is about in-depth knowledge of the industry, the monetary environment, the kind of services available as products and the speed at which the service is being delivered. Some of the common features that customers expect are security, trust and fairness in dealings, which is what service excellence is all about."
Abstract This paper examines how Kingston's work is considered to be an important contribution on the feminist front as well as that of Asian literature. It analyzes "The Woman Warrior", which demonstrates the struggle experienced as a Chinese-American growing up in America as well as focusing on other issues such as success and mother-daughter relationships.
From the Paper "The Woman Warrior is formed from what many critics like to call fiction and fact and memory and imagination (Lauter 2094). The book examines the "difficulties in Kingston's development as a woman and as a Chinese-American" (2094). Because of it's nature and style, the book demonstrates how stories can "shape character and behavior" (2094). These stories are important because Kingston is able to develop her own sense of self by writing them. Kingston is able to learn from each character's circumstance and is able to develop her own strength of character."
