Abstract This paper examines the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II by comparing this action with the freedom experienced by German-Americans during the same period. The author questions the inherent racism of Americans that enabled such an occurrence to be legally sanctioned, while German-Americans lived their lives freely, although Hitler and Germany were also enemies of America during World War II. The paper then presents a detailed background of the Japanese immigrant experience in America, contrasting this with the American ideal of freedom and the reality of racism. The experiences of African and Native-Americans are also considered. The paper then describes the actual Japanese internment, which was unprecedented event in American history. The paper further states how the Internment still has an effect on the psyche of the Japanese-American population today. The author concludes that the internment of Japanese-Americans during the Second World War was one of the great tragedies of American history.
Outline:
Introduction
Background: The Japanese Experience in America
Prejudice Unleashed: The Internment Experience
Conclusion
From the Paper " Naturally, the situation was worse the further removed from the Anglo-Saxon ideal a group might chance to be. After the Civil War, the newly reunited nation demanded a huge supply of cheap labor to build its rapidly expanding railroad network. In the West, this labor was provided, to a large extent, by settlers from Japan and China. Labor Contractors, generally Japanese or Chinese themselves actively recruited these workers and brought them to America. They helped to lay the foundations of America's industrial prosperity. White American racial attitudes combined with a nationwide railroad strike in 1877 to create the necessary conditions for a crackdown on Asian immigration. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was soon followed by other, stricter acts, in 1892, 1902, and 1904. And as White America saw little, if any difference, between Japanese and any other Asians, the anti-Chinese immigration laws were followed by a Japanese Exclusion Act in 1907. By 1924, the United States had imposed an almost total ban on all immigration from East Asia, ..."
Tags:Japanese-Americans, internment, World, War, II, immigrant, experiences
Abstract This paper focuses on two chapters from Brett De Bary's translation of 'Origins of Modern Japanese Literature' by Karatani Kojin. This paper introduces a distinctively Japanese regard for landscape in relation to literature, and discusses what Kojin referred to as the 'discovery of Interiority'. The paper reviews these chapters as they are a helpful introduction to other trends in modern Japanese literature before the rise of militarism.The rise in militarism heralded the War in the Pacific that brought the destruction of the Japanese'modern' order as it is known.
From the Paper "Foreign influence of the later 19th century inspired reflection on Japanese literature hitherto shaped by Confucian/Chinese literary culture. Several reformers appeared, esp. Soseki of early 20th century to inspire a strongly Japanese expression; focus on landscape as background for human activity, and conveying of human psychology. Expression then delayed by rise of Japanese militarism in 1920s and 1930s; much of what we understand, now, did not surface strongly till after 1949. Mainly course material references."
Abstract This paper discusses how three Japanese poems reflect the values of traditional Japanese culture. The poems under consideration are: "Crafty Fox," "Yellow Earth," and "My Poetry."
From the Paper "No account of Japanese art whether visual or textual can be complete without reference to the highly traditional and highly honored value system of historic Japan. Contemporary values of Japan can be traced as far back as the..."
Abstract This paper discusses Americans playing for Japanese leagues, and Japanese playing for American leagues. Through the years there has been a great deal of cultural tension, yet, through baseball these tensions are beginning to change. The paper shows that Japanese players in the American baseball leagues are making a significant cultural impact. Americans playing in Japan are affecting the culture as well.
From the Paper "Research indicates that in 1934 Babe Ruth led a group of professional American players to tour Japan. During that visit the Japanese were so impressed by the players, and the game, that they began to form their own leagues within a few years. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japanese baseball was not considered seriously by professional athletes. Furthermore, there were no suggestions that Americans play for Japanese teams. Yet, as time progressed, and tensions eased between the two countries, some American players began to consider that the Japanese leagues might be where they belonged in the sport. It was also true that American managers decided to take a chance at working in the realm of Japanese baseball. And, as the world has begun to change, Japanese players have been enticed to attempt to play in the American baseball leagues."
Abstract The paper discusses Impressionism, Japanese woodblock prints and how Impressionism was affected by the Japanese. The paper explains how Impressionism began as a rebellion by four students who were tired of the conventional art strategies. The paper relates that many art critics believed the artists were crazy with their designs, but today these paintings are considered art. The paper explains that different artists and Japanese prints and artists have made Impressionism become a recognized art.
From the Paper "Impressionism Begins as a Rebellion. Four art friends rebel against contemporary art to create an artist style called Impressionism. Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley and Frederic Brazille were friends who had attended painting classes together. The conventional art at that time was centered on history and Greek mythology with dark colors, which many young artists thought was quite boring. These four artists went into the forest of Fortainbleau and started painting outside."
Abstract The following paper is an analysis on the 'Americanization' of Japanese culture. Four distinct areas of culture will be analyzed, and in turn, some general analysis will be presented in terms of assigning the causes for this trend. In particular, focus will be given toward understanding how this process must be understood with the 'transformation of identity' that had been taking place in this context.
Abstract The paper contends that the treatment of Japanese Canadians by the Canadian government during and after World War II was deplorable. The paper then discusses how the Canadian government acknowledged the racist character of these policies in 1988 and offered redress to the Japanese Canadian population.
From the Paper "Japanese Canadians during the Second World War were forced to contend with a decades-old torrent of racial discrimination that culminated in their internment and forced labor by the Canadian government. The treatment of Japanese Canadians during this period appears particularly cruel-even sinister-when one considers that of the Canadians evacuated from the Pacific Coast of Canada, most were Canadian-born and naturalized Canadian citizens."
Tags:japanese canadians, world war II, internment, deportation, War Measures Act
A look at the class and gender differences presented in 2 Japanese novels: "As I Cross A Bridge of Dreams" by Lady Sarashina and "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu.
1,432 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 47.95
Abstract This paper examines class differences as presented in Japanese Literature. The paper looks at "As I Cross A Bridge of Dreams" by Lady Sarashina and "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu. Several questions are raised in the paper, to examine the not only class differences but also gender differences. Are the upper-class male characters willing to risk their careers for the women they meet? What are the social codes and regulations, and what happens to these men and women who assault the social code and pursue forbidden relationships? Are the consequences enforced so the men suffer in their political careers? Are the women ultimately abandoned and destroyed? These questions are all brought up in the context of class and gender issues to illustrate that the two authors, from the same culture and heritage, use their different destinies and experiences to portray different opinions.
Abstract The most fundamental beliefs of Buddhism can be understood by what are referred to as the Four Noble Truths. This paper will identify these Four Noble Truths and show how they have influenced Japanese society, cultural attitudes, and way of life.
Abstract This paper evaluates the Japanese culture through interviewing a young woman who attends graduate school at the University of Notre Dame. Through the course of the interview, a number of personal and culturally sensitive factors, including socio-economic factors, lifestyle, family values, religious preferences, health beliefs and practices and childbearing and parenting practices are assessed in order to provide for a cultural assessment. In doing so, culturally competent nursing interventions are introduced to provide for a positive health experience.
From the Paper " In the 2000 census, 796,700 residents of the U.S. identified their "race" as Japanese (Reeves and Bennett, 2004). When the question of identifying her race was introduced, Ms. J identified herself as Japanese. She expressed a strong cultural bond to the Japanese culture even though she and her family have been living in the United States for some time now. Although Ms. J is from a relatively affluent Japanese home, and is 23 years old, she is still living with her parents, and intends to do so until she married. This is quite common in Japanese culture and not seen as evidence of immaturity, but respect, regardless of her own personal state of affluence (Friedman, Bowden, & Jones, 2003). She stated that her parents became angry at any attempts upon Ms. J to share an apartment with a friend, even though Ms. J's friends were 'nice girls,' according to the admittance of her parents."
Tags:japanese, english, united, states, parents, grandparents, elders, honor, old, age, care
Abstract This paper examines three essays on different aspects of medieval Japanese culture that use legends to subjugate women - the blood pool hell to which all women are damned by virtue of their biology, the Five Obstructions which are the five states of enlightenment which women cannot achieve after death because of the inferiority of their gender, and the use of images of women being transformed into snakes and dragons to tell stories about women's threats to men.
From the Paper "This paper considers the positive and negative effects of Buddhism for women in the medieval and early Edo periods through the introduction oft he apocryphal text known as the Blood Pool Hell Sutra. The rise of popularity of the sutra was connected to ..."
Abstract The paper discusses the forced relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The paper includes a discussion of those who favored and those who opposed the action.
From the Paper "Similar to the fear and paranoia directed at Arab-Americans after the terrorist attacks of September, fear and paranoia erupted in American society after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December. The US government took swift action after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Any immigrants arriving in America from Japan were officially classified as enemy aliens. As fear mounted that Japanese citizens of the US would undermine the US war effort, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued the Executive Order."
Tags:Japanese Americans, WWII, Pearl Harbor, terrorism, racism, prejudice, Franklin D. Roosevelt, internment camps, justice, democracy, politics, fear, paranoia
Abstract This paper examines the ethnography of the Japanese Geisha. Additionally, it highlights many subtopics of the Geisha culture such as history and training, customers and skills, fashion, and modern-day and western influences. The paper includes an annotated bibliography with descriptions of sources used.
History of the Geisha Culture
Becoming a Geisha
Geisha Talents and Those Who Enjoy Them
Geisha Appearance
Modern-Day Geisha and Western Influence
Conclusion
From the Paper "Geisha hair, Geisha makeup, Geisha grace: Geisha is a pleasing profession envied by women and adored by men. She is a living work of art; a doll adorned in satins and silks. Her entrance anywhere has movie star status and everyone wishes to be a part of her world: the flower and willow world. The Geisha profession is a time-honored tradition that has gradually changed into its own intricate culture. In this essay, I will explore the various complexities and mysteries of the Geisha culture by addressing the following areas: Geisha history, training, talents and customers, traditional dress, and Geisha in the modern world. I will clarify any misconceptions one may have about this beautiful and mysterious culture."
Tags: ancient, culture, ethnographic, ethnography, geisha, japan, japanese
Abstract This paper explores the influence of Japanese wood-block prints on Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting. The writer introduces the evolution of wood-block printing in Japan and its distinctive form, technique and style of drawing that attracted the impressionists. This is followed by a listing of artists who were exposed to these prints and how they affected their works. These artists include Degas, Pissarro, Cassatt, Renoir, Morisot, and Manet among others.
From the Paper "This type of printing changed during time, and the works that we see today and also the ones the impressionist saw were the end product of a long evolution. "Printmaking is composed of the division of labour of many craftsmen, such as painters, engravers and printers, and needs at least the same number of different woodblocks as colours, often more than twenty wood-blocks. At first, there was just a one colour woodblock prints with brush-added colour in the 1710s, then two or three colours wood-block prints evolved in the 1740s, and finally in the 1760s the multi-colour wood-block prints called "nishiki-e" (brocade picture) was invented and continued to the early Meiji period in 1890s." "
Abstract The study takes a broad exploratory approach to studying issues of identity in the Japanese community in Canada. Chapter I traces the historical settlement of Japanese-Canadians in Canada with reference to how Canada's changing attitudes on dealing with immigrants has affected the way in which Japanese-Canadians perceive themselves. Chapter II researches the relationship between language and identity. Chapter III looks at two types of modern day Japanese in Canada. First, a young student studying at MIT is used as a real life case study. Second, various fictional depictions of Japanese-Canadians are used to delve deeper into issues of Japanese identity. The subject matter has not yet been specifically covered in detail by academia (although it has rather more so by fictional writing). Available sources are analyzed closely to try to uncover trends in identity. Sources used vary from academic works (both Japanese and Canadian) on history, sociology, politics, linguistics and psychology; through to personal journal entries and fictional works concerning Japanese identity written by Japanese-Canadian authors.
Introduction
The History Of Japanese-Canadians & Canadian Immigration Policy 1877-2003
The Relationship Between Language And The Formation Of Ethnic Identity
The Real And Illusory Modern Japanese-Canadian
Conclusion
From the Paper "Thus, using Bourdieu's analysis, it is theoretically possible to apply it to the situation of Japanese-Canadians to try to delve deeper into their ethnic self-identity and individual make-up. However, there are various flaws when trying to apply Bourdieu's work. First, Bourdieu interviewed his participants in some depth for his study in order to get a detailed profile of each. This variety of data about Japanese-Canadians is not currently available for this thesis and would need to be obtained first-hand (see "Recommendations" in Conclusion). Second, and more importantly, it is not possible to apply the same analysis intended for a Western, European nation such as France to a complex, Oriental nation such as Japan that prides itself on its "unique" ethnic identity and 90% middle-class (which, if true, renders analysis using economic capital as a variable useless anyhow)."
Tags: conformity, deviance, family, group, individualism, society
