In a culture focused so decidedly on status, it is natural that historical Japanese society would place great importance on relationships between its members. These interpersonal connections helped to define and solidify a person’s position just as much, if not more so, than did their birth. Thus, the attribute of loyalty was highly valued as it was essential to creating an environment of complex alliances within both the Heian court of Genji and later between the samurai of the shogunates in Jōkyūki. In both cases, these social treaties were important forms of protection and power in battle, political and literal. Therefore, loyalty in daily interactions became an almost fetishized virtuosity symptomatic of the larger trend of fidelity in …show more content…
Later in the same chapter, Hahakigi, he attempts to woo Utsusemi but is rebuked as she claims that as a married woman of lower standing, it would be dishonorable. She continues to rebuff him on this pretext and Genji eventually moves on to other men and women. Utsusemi’s motivations are unclear; she seems regretful that she cannot be with Genji, but is incredibly firm in her resolve (Shikibu and Tyler, 47). This brings into question the notion of duty versus loyalty. She may be rejecting him out of a sense of duty to her position and his, wishing to spare them both any dishonor should they be caught. Alternatively, her rejection could stem from loyalty to her husband, a man whom even Genji recognizes as “a man of real substance”, and whose death she appears to mourn as she becomes a nun after his passing (Shikibu and Tyler, 51). The fine semantic line between duty and honor is more relevant to Genji than Jōkyūki, as it is a matter of emotional intent and Genji is more concerned with this theme. While each character in the story may have a slightly different version of what loyalty looks like i.e. loyalty to oneself through pursuit of pleasure versus loyalty to others in instances of abnegation. Both Genji and Utsusemi greatly value the virtue of loyalty and reflect versions of this trait in themselves as well as expecting it in others. However, exercising this virtue is never shown to make any character in the story happier, although it’s arguable that virtually every character in the tale is a tragic one in some sense. Unlike in the western canon, virtue is necessary, but not necessarily
In the ancient Japanese culture, one great aspect was on how they emphasized on the intrinsic themes of loyalty and honor. They had fierce warriors known as samurai’s. A samurai was a traditional warrior who would protect and be loyal to their masters no matter what. They were known to be skilled soldiers, benevolent men, self-sacrifice, sense of shame, along with other major characteristics that embodied them as a samurai. While this class of warrior no longer exist today, the remembrance of a samurai is present in the minds of the characters in the novel, The Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama. Tsukiyama does a fascinating piece of work by really elaborating and describing the great attributes that Matsu possess of a true samurai. In the
"(Doc. A) The beliefs Japanese grew up with were that the Emperor was sublime and his empire should be followed everywhere nerveless by everyone. They were trained to be dedicated; willing to do anything to please their superior. “An old order... (European and American)... is now crumbling.
When looking at much of the world’s ethical views and morals today, many of its standards can draw back to that of the samurai. This warrior class of Feudal Japan contributed greatly to the development of social values that people today constantly follow. It is important to look to past events and cultures to enrich the future and the ideals of the samurai are ones that better people in self fulfilling ways. Whether it be to instill positive values to children or applied to become successful in the “real world”, the virtues and morals set forth by the samurai are invaluable teachings that will influence society for many years to come.
The Munson Report investigated the loyalty of Japanese Americans and their likeliness to revolt and overwhelmingly found that they were loyal. The report also describes Japanese-Americans as having “considerably weakened […] loyalty to Japan ” and are now thought of as “foreigners to Japan” (Munson Report). The report went as far as saying that “there will be no armed uprising of Japanese. There is no Japanese ‘problem’ on the Coast” (Munson Report).
For women, honour and fidelity meant very different things to what it did for a man. In order for them to gain honour and fidelity, they had to do very things in order for it to be achieved. Women do not expect fidelity from men...
In “Women and Inheritance in Japan’s Early Warrior Society,” Hitomi Tonomura examines how women lost property rights and social position between the Heian period and the Tokugawa regime due to ever ossifying Confucian norms in Japanese institutions and civil strife. She evaluated the rights women of the early warrior era enjoyed such as appointing heirs, inheriting property from their parents, and property ownership independent from their husbands, and explained that the decline in rights was due to a variety of economic challenges and social shifts. Tonomura uses reliable primary sources to construct her argument that women lost property rights as a result of fiscal hardship and intensifying familial rivalries, but she fails to recognize that they had few rights to begin with.
Matthew Gerber. “The Importance of Poetry in Japanese Heian-era Romantic Relationships”. 2007 May. 2011 June 3.
In the primordial times of the Heian period, Japan procured and practiced matrilineal systems within their isolated society for over 2,000 years. During the Heian period, situated in 12th century A.D., women were given the privileged of inheriting, managing, and retaining property of their own (Kumar, 2011). It was not until Japanese culture adopted the Confucian ideas of China that the society began to integrate a patriarchal system. Confucian ideals had a prominently drastic impact and influence in Japanese society. The Confucian ethical system stressed the utopian idea of a society in which a hierarchal structure is maintained. The hierarchal structure’s foundation is based upon the subservient and submissive idea of subordinates’ obedi...
William Shakespeare is a famous writer who wrote many plays. Most people would concur he is the greatest writer of all time. His plays fall under the categories of histories, comedies, and tragedies. Troilus and Cressida is a tragedy, but many would say it is not because Troilus does not die. Instead a noble fighter named Hector dies. Betrayal, love, and love causing betrayal is expressed in Troilus and Cressida when Cressida betrays Troilus by not railing against the Greeks, Troilus falling in love with Cressida, and in a way, Paris betraying the Trojans because he would not give up Helen which made the Trojans continue fighting.
In Rudyard Kipling's fiction story, "Rikki-tikki-tavi", the theme of loyalty is demonstrated through Rikki's actions during his many conflicts within the story. For example, Karait is about to attack teddy but rikki stops him (p27), Nag is about to attack teddy's dad but Rikki saves him ( p28), Nagina is about to bite teddy but Rikki attacks her.(p 30).
At 95, Japan is a standout amongst the most Masculine social orders on the planet. On the other hand, in blend with their gentle community, the people don't see decisive and focused individual practices which we regularly connect with Masculine culture. What people see is a serious rivalry between gatherings. From exceptionally youthful age at kindergartens, youngsters figure out how to contend on games day for their gatherings (generally red group against white group).
Can the perfect ideal of loyalty ever be achieved? What is loyalty, how can you become loyal person? How do the people of today compare to the heroes in the stories that we read Beowulf Sir Gawin and the Green Knight and Camelot. When do you know you are a loyal person, is it something that you are born with or do you learn to become loyal? Is loyalty a valuable human characteristic?How does someone become a loyal person?
One way military obedience carried too far could cause people to perform immoral acts is military personnel are taught to immediately obey without question.
make a choice between the love of your life and going to a football game, a