Shaping Heian, Japan :: essays research papers

Shaping Heian, JapanTenth-century Japan is characterized by images of elegance, beauty, and sophistication. Ritual and ceremony shape nearly every aspect of life during this time. Throughout The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon there are several examples of how everyday lifestyles are shaped through these mediums. Politics, religion, self-image, and interpersonal relationships played important roles in mold life in Heian society, and a form of either ritual or ceremony influenced each of these assets. Government and political forces were a very important embark on of Heian Japan. The government and its actions affected all aspects of life. Under the emperor, the government was divided into two separate entities, one religious and one secular. Ones rank inside the government was closely related to the political position held. Aristocracy and the civil service were combined so that a person was usually given a rank first, then a suitable office to fit that rank. This made it nearly impo ssible for anyone to enter the rank hierarchy by merit, allowing the Japanese to rile their system diverge in fundamental and damaging ways from the Chinese governmental model. Those who held rank were afforded special tax breaks, special rights to have certain clothes, or to send their sons to universities (Morris 64-5). It is only natural to assume that when religion and government are so closely tied that a level of ceremony and ritual would be incorporated into political practices. The detail and precision put into deciding rank and position is just one example of how ceremony plays a role in politics during this period. Religion played a very significant role in tenth-century society, especially as it was tied to the political affairs of the country. During the time that Shonagon wrote, the handed-down religion was Buddhism. Ritual and ceremonial practices dominated all aspects, from the practices to the wardrobe. For instance, priests pay their respects to the statue Buddha then, while intoing words of praise, they pour coloured water on the statues head. The coquette Nobles also pour water over the statue, make obeisance, and withdraw (Morris 160). Throughout the course of a year, several different ceremonies were held each representing some important expression of the Buddhist lifestyle. One ceremony, which took place near the end of the Twelfth Month, was The General Confession. This ceremony was aimed at expunging the sins one had committed during the course of the year with multicolor screens depicting the Horrors of Hell are set up under the eaves as a reminder of the need for penitence (Morris 165).

The Connection between Writing and Technology :: Teaching Writing Education

The Connection between Writing and TechnologyThere are times when an idea pops into your head and surfaceright you need to write it down or lose the thought forever. What is the first thing you collar? Probably a pen or pencil and then a piece of paper, or even the nearest keyboard. These technologies are so common, we dont even give them a second thought they are just there. With well-nigh every household owning a computer we even tend to take them for granted. Now imagine these writing technologies didnt exist and that Henry Thoreaus father didnt perfect the pencil, what would you grab then? This is what I set out to do find a writing technology that isnt common today.At first, I thought about what our ancestors would contract used and depending on how far back we go, this can range from a quill and ink to carving on stone. Looking around my house though, these things werent favorable to find. So, I searched thru the yard looking for anything that might resemble paper. I kept coming back to the leaves hanging on the catalpa tree. I first obdurate this had to be my paper. It was the closest thing to being flat and the leaves were large enough for my text. For my pen I tried many different tools. First, the obvious, I could use a stick. Then I decided to cut some of the needles off my pine tree and use them. With these I twisted them tight and then tied them with Cattail reeds from the pond. skilful from the looks alone, I knew this had to be my pen. My ink was a challenge though. First, I tried to burn the tip of the pen in order to produce ash. I judge this would be easy and would work in the same manner as a pencil. After much burning, my porch smelled like a pine forest, but scant(p) ash was being produced. This led to another search of the yard and the discovery of my ink. I had found some wild grapes and knew this would be an easy substitute for ink. erst the grapes were crushed and the neighbors questions answered, I preceded with my new techno logy experiment. By burning the tip of my pen I had formed a perfect point to write with. This was out of pure accident, but none the less a stroke of luck.