6th November 2012 - Lecture on introduction of Japan and Waseda University

Lunch at University Cafeteria

After the introduction at the Writing Center we all went for lunch at the cafeteria. We all relished the food there We had lovely food of Garlic Chicken.  

Later that day by around 1.00 pm we attended a special class by Paul Watt. His lecture included Japanese History.Here he talked about the major periods of Japanese History : 

6th - 7th centuries(formation of the early Japanese state ; introduction of the Chinese language , Chinese law codes, Buddhism and Confucianism) ;

Nara Period (710 -784; first centralized state , strong emperors , spread of Buddhism ); 

Hein Period (794-1185; Medieval period , rise of the shoguns , feudal state government , spread of Buddhist- Shinto syncretism );

Tokugawa period (1600-1868; Tokugawa shoguns re- establish firm control of feudal political order after decades of warfare and closed the country until 1868);

Meiji Period (1868-1912; country is opened , Modern Period begins.

Professor Paul Watt

Also Professor Watt spoke about Religions of Japan..The earliest of Japan's religion is Shinto; where spirits deities , kami (sun, certain mountains, trees rivers, etc.)permeated the world.  Shinto is a religion of festivals that aim to restore or maintain harmony between Kami , humans and the natural world.Their place of worship is a shrine.Buddhism is also a common religion of Japan , but founded in India. It is a complex religion with a sophisticated philosophy , and a leadership of monks and nuns.Their place of worship is a Temple.Besides he also spoke about Confucianism  and other new religions like Christianity. He also gave a leaflet about the 'To Know' things about Japan like how to visit temples and shrines, eating with chopsticks  using Japanese style toilets, table rules  drinking rules and so on.

                                                                         -By Dorothy Furtado