Japanese History of Edo period to Meiji Restoration
Japanese History of Edo period to Meiji Restoration is an interesting video. In the beginning of the film, I thought it was explaining how a Japanese doctor struggled to understand a Dutch book on human anatomy. The doctor even studies Dutch and translates the book, and realizes that it has been shameful to treat patients with proper knowledge on human body. However, I realized that the main theme of this film is the invasion of the western powers and how they threatened the independence of the Japanese people. The narrator describes them as the Alien barbarians of the west because they were determined to control the world even through force and violence. These were powers such as the United States and Britain that threatened the sovereignty that Japan had managed to maintain over two hundred years. For instance, when the Shogun ordered that the American ships should leave, the Americans ignored it, and forcefully invaded Japan. Therefore, I feel that this film helps the viewers to understand how western countries and influence affected the social, political, and economic lives of the Japanese.
On the other hand, Do Japanese know historical people who are NOT from Japan? Funny history challenge time is confusing. I only understand the question asked by the interviewer, who is famous? It is challenging to understand what the respondents are saying they are talking in Japanese language. Although their conversation seems interesting, I did not understand if the Japanese people know any famous people from other parts of the world. Therefore, I feel that this film should have included English subtitles to make it easier for non-Japanese people to understand it.
On a further note, The Japan Expedition 1852-1854 has significant information on Japanese society. First, I have noted that the Japanese have various costumes and collations. Interestingly, their clothes depict the conditions and ranks of the wearer(Morrison 186). For instance, members of the high-class usually put on a pair wide trousers of figured silk that reaches to the ankles and cotton or woolen socks. Secondly, I have learned that their dishes and cookery are similar to the Chinese, and different courses are brought to the tables(Morrison 188). More so, the contents are narrated in the first person point of view thereby making it easier for the reader to understand different aspects of Japanese lives. The narrator has also included different images, and I feel that this is one of the best ways to narrate a personal experience. It creates a sense of connectedness between the narrator and the readers.
Works cited
Morrison, Philip. “The Japan Expedition 1852–1854: The Personal Journal of Commodore Matthew C. Perry.” (1969): 281-283.