Some of my customers only pay me in rice. Sometimes, in the winter, I wish for warmth and warmer quilt for the cold nights, but winter does not last long here, and so, it is not such a big worry as others in my life.
In addition, I worry about the government, and their policy that seems to be leading toward cutting my country off from the rest of the world. We have enjoyed prosperity and new ideas through the Jesuits and others who have come to live and trade with us, and it seems that the government is going to ban foreigners, and even ban us Japanese from leaving our island. This worries me, because I fear that trade and our economy will suffer, and the government does not seem to have a way to resolve the issue. I know it is not wise to question our wise leaders, for they know what is best for us - much more so than a lowly blacksmith. However, sometimes I do worry about what the future holds for my country and my family. I do not speak of this to my family and friends, for I am afraid they would doubt me, and think I am weak for looking badly on my government. My lord is one of the Shogun's trusted advisors, and stood with him when he fought in 1600, and so, to speak against the Shogun would be to speak against my lord, and so, I keep these negative thoughts to myself. One can never be too careful about whom one trusts and whom one does not in this town.
A get much pleasure from my life as a blacksmith. I have a good family and even my parents and lord enjoy good health. We have a good house, and we attend festivals and music performances. I also get much pleasure from my work, for it is a good thing to create quality work, and have it appreciated by those who purchase it. It gives me much satisfaction to serve my lord and make him happy, too. Life seems happier today, and there is much laughter and activity in our...
To some degree, this may be considered a concession to peasants who were largely upset with their station in life as urban areas benefited more significantly from the economic expansion. There is little indication that prosperity was widespread among the peasant classes during the Tokugawa period. Other historical signs point to the real possibility that most farmers suffered during this period. In fact, much of the economic woes for rural
Disorder does not descend from Heaven, It is the spawn of a woman. 10 Contemporaneous with relocating the capital from Edo to Tokyo was the drawing up of the 'Memorandum on Reform of the Imperial Palace' in which Article 1 states that the emperor would 'deign to hear about all political matters' in the front throne room adding that 'women are to be prohibited from entering the front throne room' 11. Yoshii Tomozane,
Japanese Aggression Against China During the 19th Century The antagonistic foreign relations between China and Japan during the 19th century were a function of many factors that ultimately resulted in the weakening of China and the strengthening of Japan. There is little doubt that the factors which precipitated the aggression of Japan against the Chinese were as much a function of Japanese opportunism as it from the concern and impact resulting
peace and stability, the Tokugawa Family lost political power. Explain both the internal factors as well as the external factors that led to destabilized society. How did Western powers (including the United States) play a role in destabilizing Japan? Do you think the revolution that followed would have happened without Western involvement? Support your answer with evidence and concrete examples. The Tokugawa family ruled Japan during a time of decisive
Roles of Japanese Emperors 1863-1945 An Analysis of the Respective Roles of Japanese Emperors: 1863-1945 Today, Japan stands side by side with many of the Western nations of the world in terms of its political philosophy and free market economy, but it has not always been thus. In fact, many contemporary observers would be surprised at just how much political intrigue and maneuvering took place over the past century and a half
.....Zhu Xi understood daotong ( "transmission of the dao" or Confucian orthodoxy). What texts, in sequence, were to be studied? Keeping in mind the context in which he wrote, accept, qualify or refute his position. Central to the evolution of Confucian orthodoxy, the teachings of Zhu Xi understood the transmission of the dao, the daotong, in terms of the natural ordering and hierarchy of the universe, and of universal laws. Daotong
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