Exploring the East: Japanese Journey

Investigating Japan's Cultural Exchange with the West Japan has had a long intertwined history with western culture, leading to a unique mix of eastern and western ideals which inform and shape the culture of modern Japan. How has this exchange specifically impacted Japanese art, music, and literature from the eighteenth century up until now? What has been the result of this intermixing of cultures and how has it evolved over time? These are some of the questions we will be exploring in this article. The first large influx of western culture into Japan began in the eighteenth century with the Matsudaira Domain, which was run by a succession of lords who wished for Japan to modernize and imitate many of the advancements of Europe. Of course, it wasn't a one-way street, and westerners who visited or lived in Japan during this period were exposed to the local art, literature, and music of the country, much of which was incredibly unique and different from traditional western prac...

Japanese Literature and Its Importance Japanese literature has had a big influence on the evolution of the culture and history of this beautiful country. From the early Buddhist sutras to the modern-day works, Japan’s literary tradition provides us with an insight into the evolution of the country. The term ‘Japanese literature’ is typically used to refer to the works written in either classical Japanese, or modern Japanese, which have been translated into English. From these works, we receive a unique glimpse into the beautiful and diverse culture of Japan. First up, many of the most well-renowned works of Japanese literature, such as The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu in the Heian period (794–1185 CE), are thought to have deep roots in Chinese literature imported to Japan via the Korean Peninsula. This influence of Chinese culture and literature can be felt in much of Japanese literature. However, it would be a mistake to underestimate the influence of the original Jap...