Japanese Culture: Barefoot Gen
With this explanation in mind, write a 750-word essay that answers the following question. Your response should also demonstrate a familiarity and understanding of Nakagawa Keiji?s Barefoot Gen, the Varley textbook, and the Compass readings for Unit IV.
1) WhatisJapanesecultureandisitsplaceinEastAsiaandtheworld?Inansweringthisquestion,besure to explain how Japanese culture changed following 1945.
2) Inyourconclusion,besuretoalsoexplainyourviewofhowyouthinkJapaneseculturemaychangein the near and/or distant future. To support your view, you must cite at least one of the sources excerpted from the book Nihon 2.0 (on Compass under Unit IV Readings).
In answering this question, you are expected to demonstrate your understanding and ability to use the historian?s critical and analytical techniques that have been introduced to you throughout the semester. The most important of these techniques include 1) how to evaluate different kinds of sources, 2) how to distinguish between historical and ahistorical interpretations, and 3) how to use analytical concepts like status, class, and gender to question, critique, and hopefully better understand the past.
In crafting your thesis, make a clear and concise argument about Japanese culture and the changes it has undergone since the end of the Asia-Pacific War. The essay should be balanced by giving equal attention to each of the above questions. In addition, you must support your thesis and each sub-argument by citing at least two pieces of evidence per paragraph (e.g., quotes, statistical information, specific historical examples). Some of this evidence must come from Barefoot Gen, but at least half of your citations must also be from the other sources you have been assigned in Unit IV?namely, the Varley textbook chapters and the primary and secondary sources included in the Compass readings.