The Role of Bamboo in Japanese Culture

The Japanese word for bamboo is take. Bamboo in Japanese Culture Bamboo is a very strong plant. Because of its sturdy root structure, it is a  symbol of prosperity in Japan. For years, people were told to run into the bamboo groves in the event of an earthquake, because the bamboos strong root structure would hold the earth together. Simple and unadorned, the bamboo is also symbolic of purity and innocence. Take o watta youna hito literally translates into a man like fresh-split bamboo and refers to a man with a frank nature. Bamboo appears in many ancient tales. Taketori Monogatari (Tale of the Bamboo Cutter) also known as Kaguya-hime (The Princess Kaguya) is the oldest narrative literature in kana script, and one of the most beloved stories in Japan. The story is about Kaguya-hime, who is found inside a bamboo stalk. An old man and woman raise her and she becomes a beautiful woman. Although many young men propose to her, she never marries. Eventually on an evening when the moon is full, she returns to the moon, as it was her place of birth. Bamboo and sasa (bamboo grass) are used in many festivals to ward off evil. On Tanabata (July 7), people write their wishes on strips of paper of various colors and hang them on sasa. Click this link to learn more about Tanabata. Bamboo Meaning Take ni ki o tsugu (putting bamboo and wood together) is synonymous with disharmony. Yabuisha (yabu are bamboo groves and isha is a doctor) refers to an incompetent doctor (quack). Though its origin is not clear, it is probably because just as bamboo leaves rustle in the slightest breeze, an incompetent doctor makes a great to-do about even the slightest illness. Yabuhebi (hebi is a snake) means to reap an ill fortune from an unnecessary act. It comes from the likelihood that poking a bamboo bush may flush a snake. It is a similar expression to, let sleeping dogs lie. Bamboo is found all over in Japan because the warm, humid climate is well suited to its cultivation. It is frequently used in construction and handicrafts. Shakuhachi, is a wind instrument made of bamboo. Bamboo sprouts (takenoko) also have long been used in Japanese cuisine. The pine, bamboo, and plum (sho-chiku-bai) are an auspicious combination symbolizing long life, hardiness, and vitality. The pine stands for longevity and endurance, and the bamboo is for flexibility and strength, and the plum represents a young spirit. This trio is often used in restaurants as a name for the three levels of quality (and price) of its offerings. It is used instead of directly stating quality or price (e.g. the highest quality would be pine). Sho- chiku-bai is also used for the name of a sake (Japanese alcohol) brand. Sentence of the Week English: Shakuhachi is a wind instrument made of bamboo. Japanese: Shakuhachi wa take kara tsukurareta kangakki desu. Grammar Tsukurareta is the passive form of the verb tsukuru. Here is another example. Passive form in Japanese is formed by the verb ending changes. U-verbs (Group 1 verbs): replace ~u by ~areru kaku — kakarerukiku — kikarerunomu — nomareruomou — omowareru Ru-verbs (Group 2 verbs): replace ~ru by ~rareru taberu — taberareumiru — mirareruderu — derareruhairu — hairareru Irregular verbs (Group 3 verbs) kuru — korarerusuru — sareru Gakki means instrument. Here are different kinds of instruments. Kangakki — wind instrumentGengakki — stringed instrumentDagakki — percussion instrumenttake — bambookangakki — a wind instrumentWain wa budou kara tsukurareru. — Wine is made from grapes.Kono ie wa renga de tsukurareteiru. — This house is made of brick.

The Downfalls of Egalitarianism and Television - 989 Words

What would actually happen if everyone was forced to be equal? Kurt Vonnegut envisioned this in his masterpiece, â€Å"Harrison Bergeron.† The story is about â€Å"what would happen if a government or some other power takes this notion serious† (Mowery). The protagonist, Harrison, who is arrest for â€Å"exuberant individuality,† escapes from prison and goes on a national television station to declare himself emperor, only later to be killed by the handicap general Diane Moon. In â€Å"Harrison Bergeron,† Kurt Vonnegut satirizes the movement toward egalitarianism and the effect of television on people. Egalitarianism can be absurd and detrimental to American society. In the story, heavy weights are put on strong people, and grotesque masks are put on†¦show more content†¦Literary Critic, Newton Minow, called television a vast wasteland of destructive or meaningless programs. Minow claimed that â€Å"instead of challenging people to think, telev ision programming was making it easier for people to avoid serious thought† (Hist. text). The uses of television desensitize Harrison’s Mother, Hazel. Although, she did shed a tear when she witnesses her son being murder on television, she said, â€Å"I forgot, it was something real sad on television.† Hazel became so numbed watching television; she forgot what she was crying about (Alvarez). In addition, one may determine that Hazel has attention deficit disorder because she is not to focus on anything (themes and cons.). According to Karen Wood, â€Å"Harrison Bergeron concerns with technological problems only as these problems express and explicate character- the character of the human race† (Karen Wood). In summary, the people gave up their individuality for the â€Å"good† of society of being equal. Vonnegut’s real point behind â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† is a serious attack on the idea of enforced equality (Mowery). At the end of the story, Vonnegut seems to say that there is no government capable of suppressing the individual completely. Rather, the inner strength of human nature at its finest is more powerful that ill-conceived laws (Mowery). In a criticism, Stanley Schatt describes when Harrison is dies, â€Å"It is the lost beauty, grace, and wisdom.† In summary, Today American society canShow MoreRelatedThe Downfalls of Egalitarianism and Television964 Words   |  4 Pagesserious† (Mowery). The protagonist, Harrison, who is arrest for â€Å"exuberant individuality,† escapes from prison and goes on national television station to declare himself emperor, only later to be killed by the handicap general Diane Moon. In â€Å"Harrison Bergeron,† Kurt Vonnegut satirizes the movement toward egalitarianism and the effect of television on peo ple. Egalitarianism can be absurd and detrimental to American society. 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Premarital Sex and Euthanasia Free Essays

Pros and Cons of Premarital Sex and Euthanasia Purpose: To Inform in debate form to the audience about the Pros and Cons of Sex before Marriage and the act of Euthanasia. Specific Purpose: To come to a better understanding about both topics and to sort out the main Pros and Cons of each topic individually. Thesis Statement: Sex before Marriage and Euthanasia have many fascinating facts and opinions to support one another. We will write a custom essay sample on Premarital Sex and Euthanasia or any similar topic only for you Order Now I will discuss the Pros and Cons, such as the advantages and disadvantages of each topic to better help my debate on each issue. Main Point 1 Pros of Premarital sex. a. The fulfillment of a sexual desire b. Beneficial to the relationship in a communcation level c. Acceptance from partner d. Fun and exciting Main Point 2 Cons of Premarital Sex a. Is morally incorrect b. The fear of pregnancy c. Guilt d. Lack of self-respect Main Point 3 Pros of Euthanasia a. Relieve extreme pain b. To terminate the feeling of a low life c. Frees up medical funds d. Freedom of Choice â€Å"The Right to Die† Main Point 4 Cons of Euthanasia a. Devalues human life and rights b. Medical degrees involved in causing death, rather then saving lives c. Mistakes can happen d. Lack of respect to religious beliefs Yes? No? Reading upon these two controversial topics statiscally the majority of society will come to agree on the rights of â€Å"Premarital Sex† and the â€Å"Right to Die† about 70% of opinions are based on the Pros and what this leads me to an unclouded understanding that society now a days main concern is receiving instant gratification. People are no longer patient and are loosing their cultural, social and self respect by agreeing to mainly the pros yet there is a bright understanding of it’s Cons which supports the morally correct decision to make and the religious aspect of both topics. Contribute to this websites and help support your opinion, don’t just let your idea and opinion go to waste! How to cite Premarital Sex and Euthanasia, Papers