Undergrad Papers by Andrew Dunlop
Popular books that provide broad overviews of Japanese history tend to oversimplify events and as... more Popular books that provide broad overviews of Japanese history tend to oversimplify events and as a result twist historical facts, memorialising them as myths. The most common of these myths is the notion that the Tokugawa period was a period of stagnation. Lonely Planet’s guide to Japan describes the Tokugawa period as a period of strict isolation devoid of outside contact. Similarly, Japanologist Alex Kerr writes that Tokugawa Japan was a “…poor and weak nation in a world where many ancient kingdoms were rapidly being swallowed up by European colonial powers.” Both depictions paint a bleak picture of Tokugawa Japan. Because bleak depictions are the easiest to access for non-academics, it skews the public perception of reality. It has been skewed so far that Tokugawa Tsunenari, one of the direct decedents of the Tokugawa shōguns, commented that someone once asked him if he decided to work on a boat to atone for the sins of his ancestors whom ‘closed the country’ forcing it into a state of technological backwardness. Although this is the common view, this perception is far from reality. Conversely, Tokugawa Japan was an era of immense economic and cultural development. There was an agricultural boom that stimulated the economy and rich international trade that facilitated a development of scientific and artistic practices. This essay will elaborate on these points and debunk the myth of Tokugawa stagnation.
As part of UQ's JAPN3500 course I translated all relevant chapters. Note: translation is not perf... more As part of UQ's JAPN3500 course I translated all relevant chapters. Note: translation is not perfect nor official.
日本史の分野では平仮名が平安時代の女性によって作られたと思いがちだが、実際には平仮名の台頭と女は関係がない（Yoda, 2000）。女性が仮名を構築したというよりも、仮名は平安時代に変化した政治... more 日本史の分野では平仮名が平安時代の女性によって作られたと思いがちだが、実際には平仮名の台頭と女は関係がない（Yoda, 2000）。女性が仮名を構築したというよりも、仮名は平安時代に変化した政治からの影響と、サンスクリット語で書いたお経を読むために構築された。このエッセイでは仮名の神話を暴き、仮名が登場した歴史的なコンテキストと仮名の言語学的な機能を検討する。
The Japanese occupation of Korea (1910Korea ( -1945, like most colonial ventures is a tale of tra... more The Japanese occupation of Korea (1910Korea ( -1945, like most colonial ventures is a tale of tragedy and oppression that continues to have on-going ramifications. Nationalists on both sides take the moral high-ground and cast the other as the historical villain. Japanese history textbooks have attempted to entirely erase the period from the public consciousness by portraying themselves as the victims of the war. This watering down of history has angered neighbouring Asian states, spurring South Korean historians to produce their own postcolonial histories, which have been paramount in dispelling the dominant colonial narrative. Although contentious, it is only natural these two nations with their own agendas and historical perspectives would come into conflict. It is this conflict in historical perspective that will be explored in the following essay, with a special look at Korean depictions of postcolonial history and Japanese narrative history.
In the year 1582, Nobunaga was suddenly killed by his vassal, Akechi Mitsuhide. To this day, Nobu... more In the year 1582, Nobunaga was suddenly killed by his vassal, Akechi Mitsuhide. To this day, Nobunaga’s assassination remains one of the greatest mysteries of Japanese history. Nobody knows why Akechi Mitsuhide at the last minute suddenly decided to betray Nobunaga. This event is so legendary that it has been ingrained into popular culture. Lots of Japanese films and TV shows make subtle references to Mitsuhide’s betrayal, in the same way that people in the West reference the Ides of March. Mitsuhide’s betrayal has permeated so far into the public consciousness that there are even a bunch of popular superstitions about it. For example, last year when I visited Mt. Kōya, one of the holy mountains of Japan, I stumbled across Akechi Mitsuhide’s grave. The grave itself was nothing special, but what was unique about it was that it had a massive crack running through the middle of it. The local priest told me that no matter how many times the grave was fixed, the crack came back. He told me that the ghost of Akechi Mitsuhide cannot rest as he still has a strong attachment to this world. He has been remembered as a villain and painted as a traitor. I personally think it’s time that we let poor Mitsuhide pass onto the next life and give him the history that he deserves. Now let’s unravel the mystery of Nobunaga’s death.
Since the very conception of Australia’s National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy (NAPL... more Since the very conception of Australia’s National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test, it has come under immense scrutiny. Journalists and researchers alike have demonised NAPLAN, some members of the community have jumped onto the bandwagon and gone as far as to call it the Devil (Admin, 2017). However, these claims often illuminate the negative aspects of NAPLAN, ignoring the positive contributions of the test. This essay will offer a balanced view in investigating how and why NAPLAN exerts pressure upon Australian education. The historical development of NAPLAN will be considered, the advantages/disadvantages of NAPLAN Online will be examined before exploring the influence on the marketisation of Australian education.
Across early modern Europe, countless people were charged as witches, often subject to brutal tor... more Across early modern Europe, countless people were charged as witches, often subject to brutal torture and gruesome deaths. Within this, most witches were female, only in select areas, such as Russia, did male witches outnumber female witches. This is as witchcraft was a gendered crime. The theological construction of witchcraft pointed to the female sex as the weaker gender. Eve being the first woman to be tempted by the Devil served as a precedent for female weakness. On a local level, the anxieties surrounding childbirth created heightened tensions leading to women accusing other women of witchcraft. This was exacerbated by the economic distress caused by the Little Ice Age resulting in an increase in both child malnutrition and crop damage. This gave room for natural misfortunes to be pinned on witchcraft, magic that could only be enacted by a female witch. The trial of Walpurga Hausmännin provides a perfect example of how these elements of early modern society contributed to the way in which gender played a role in the persecution of witches.
Julian, the last pagan emperor of Rome, was able to etch his name into history for both his contr... more Julian, the last pagan emperor of Rome, was able to etch his name into history for both his controversial religious views and extensive writings. Fortunately, some of his work survives which allows the historian a glimpse into his mind. Through his letters we learn that Julian saw himself as a champion of tolerance and justice. For example, the self-depiction in his letter to Hecebolius, which will be the focus of this analysis.
The birth of a single man in the Arabian desert would go on to alter the course of history. Even ... more The birth of a single man in the Arabian desert would go on to alter the course of history. Even down to the modern day, the rise of Islam and the subsequent conquests of the seventh century would have major ramifications, leading to the eventual rise of the Ottoman Empire and World War I. But just how was it that the Arabs rose to power and came to successfully dominate the Middle East? Building upon social structures existent in pre-Islamic Arabia, Muhammad was able to formulate an Islamic super-tribe bound by the umma. The zealous Islamic warriors would take a literal reading of the Qur’an, led by brilliant commanders who would utilise the army’s adaptability to formulate creative tactics, overcoming their handicaps.
Rome under the reign of Tiberius (14 AD – 37 AD) could be considered modest. It contained its fai... more Rome under the reign of Tiberius (14 AD – 37 AD) could be considered modest. It contained its fair share of tyranny under his subordinate Sejanus, and its fair share of vice at the hands of his own debauched Capri adventures. But, in terms of coinage, there was nothing that could be considered outstanding; coins minted under Tiberius are often classed as plain and lacking. However, there exists one coin of interest, one that was the first of its kind, The Carpentum
The Roman imperial cult could hardly be classified as homogenous, unlike the modern conception of... more The Roman imperial cult could hardly be classified as homogenous, unlike the modern conception of religion, there was no unified doctrine nor theology, each individual person, municipality, and province had their own take. However, the primary function of emperor worship had some similarities spanning the empire. In this essay I will argue that the function of emperor worship in provincial life was cultural (in the East), a give-and-take relationship, and a matter of religion. In doing so I will investigate the origins of the imperial cult, cultic rituals, and the conception of divinity.
On his death bed, Augustus inscribed his final words, and when he came to pass, the Senate deemed... more On his death bed, Augustus inscribed his final words, and when he came to pass, the Senate deemed it necessary to be heard across the Empire—the Res Gestae. This monumental inscription laid out his seemingly endless list of accolades, portraying himself as a hero of justice, and a symbol of virtue. Augustus was a man who carefully calculated each move, while his true motives for composing the Res Gestae are lost, it may have served as the final piece in his convoluted journey in establishing the Principate, justifying his rise to power, and further ingraining his name into history as the man who achieved above all else. This essay aims to investigate Augustan propaganda alongside the Res Gestae to understand how Augustus portrayed himself and his political position, as well as providing speculation for why he wrote the Res Gestae.
One phrase, one idea, one utterance, fanned the flames of revolution, shattered, and reconstructe... more One phrase, one idea, one utterance, fanned the flames of revolution, shattered, and reconstructed the foundations of Japanese society; in under 100 years Japan日本 rose from feudalistic culture to world superpower. “Sonnou Jyoui 尊王攘夷 – Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians,” a doctrine born under the threat of foreign invasion, revolutionised Japan with anti-foreign teachings; before falling to the demise of Sonnou Jyoui radicals and been replaced by the Emperor, the last Shougun将軍 initiated grand military reformation – The Meiji Restoration明治維新. With the guidance of Bismarck, using unequal treaties as a pretext, Japan set out on a quest for both revenge and power, a Western mimicry of bloodthirsty imperialism
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Undergrad Papers by Andrew Dunlop