Question

Imagine you are a visitor to medieval Japan. You decide that you want to explain to your friends back home what you have seen and done in Japan by writing two postcards. Unfortunately, you know that Japan is very isolationist and is skeptical of contact with the outside world. For this reason, you will need to describe what you see very carefully and fairly. If your postcards are discovered to be harmful to the reputation of the leadership in Japan, your life could be in danger.Think about the social, political, religious, intellectual, and economic aspects. that you have learned about in this lesson. When writing your two postcards, be sure to pay attention to the geography of Japan, different social roles in medieval Japanese society, outside influences on Japanese culture, and Japanese reactions to those influences. Choose a Web 2.0 tool to create your two postcards. Visit the Web 2.0 tools area of the course for additional ideas and resources.

Requirements:
a)Create two postcards telling the outside world about social, political, religious, intellectual, or economic aspects of medieval Japanese society.
b)Each postcard should have one image showing aspects of medieval Japanese society.
c)Each postcard should have one full paragraph describing your observations of medieval Japanese society.
d)Use your senses when describing your observations.
Reminders:
a)Remember to use images that are detailed enough to describe your observations.
b)Mention the physical geography of Japan and how it affected the organization of medieval Japanese society.
c)Mention at least one foreign influence on Japanese culture and the Japanese reaction to this influence.

Answer 1

The postcards from medieval Japan highlight the nation's structured social hierarchy, religious practices, and reaction to foreign influences, all framed within the context of Japan's distinct geography. The rigid societal order, from the emperor to the merchants, and the balanced relationship with outside cultures define Japanese life.

Step-by-step explanation:

Greetings from the land of the rising sun! Japan's rich tapestry of culture and structured societal hierarchy is as fascinating as it is meticulous. The geography of Japan, with its rugged mountainous terrain, has nurtured a unique semi-urban society primarily based along the flourishing coasts. Amidst the Edo period's shogunate rule, the social order is clear—emperors and nobles stand at the pinnacle, followed closely by the revered samurai, with peasants, artisans, and merchants forming the base.

Religious devotion is split between Buddhism and Shintoism, while the re-emergence of neo-Confucianism heavily influences the legal system. Moreover, the landscape itself, from the meticulously arranged miniature gardens to the grand castles, reflects the Japanese ethos of precision and order.

Foreign influences have made their mark as well; the arrival of Portuguese traders and missionaries in the 1500s introduced firearms and Christianity, influencing both warfare and spiritual life. Yet, Japan's consistent policy of isolation means such influences are carefully managed, preserving the nation's unique identity. It's an experience unlike any other, living within the regimented beauty of medieval Japan.