Japanese Thought Tied to cultural practices Influenced by Indian Chinese and European 16th to 19th centuries relatively isolated Immersion of philosophy and social practices Expressed in o Cuisine aesthetics of a meal no organization of courses so that exploration of flavors of each dish is possible Example sushi is an artful food with a mosaic like design to it o Ritual Suicide Death is an integral part of life See required reading for example From Africa to Zen 21 44 Mind Soul Body Abstract Reasoning Conceptualization Western Japanese Mind Body Mind and Body integrated Mind is discovered only through the body Shinto All of Japan is one extended family Indigenous religion philosophy of Japan Somewhat similar to Taoism A way of divine spirits Animism all things are alive with souls all things ensouled Cult of Nature Cult of Ancestors Buddhism Suffering Impermanence Oneness Confucianism Learning to accompany not overcome the tenets Art of living well is the key to getting along in life Zen Buddhism Combination of the three above Overcoming the divisions that concepts put on us thought Return to preconceptual life o Empty yourself of thoughts etc o The community and you are one o Learn to empty yourself Zen Monastery give up clothes possessions name haircut all monks are shaved bald Ultimate Truth reality is nothing Deal with problems with openness no plans hypotheses theories etc a Samurai great technical skill pure obedience courage and honor Defeat is dishonor two swords one for battle one for suicide Dishonor deserves 1 Way of Death death 2 Arts of the Hand a Even warriors become fully integrated human beings i Ex Poetry no thinking characters flow from the hand into a poem applies to other forms of art as well
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