In this thesis I investigate the development of a supplementary design in Chinese ceramics, the plantain leaf design. I propose that the triangles on archaic bronzes do not represent (plantain)...Show moreIn this thesis I investigate the development of a supplementary design in Chinese ceramics, the plantain leaf design. I propose that the triangles on archaic bronzes do not represent (plantain) leaves and thus should not be referred to as jiāoyèwén ‘plantain leaf design’. During the Yuan dynasty, however, one specific type of banded leaf design is developed that can be consistently referred to as jiāoyèwén ‘plantain leaf design’. I map out the developments of the different banded leaf designs, and seek to show that the triangle design on archaic bronzes played an integral part in the development of the plantain leaf design of the Yuan dynasty. These developments are discussed in light of ‘the uses of the past’ initially described by David Lowenthal.Show less
Television possesses the power to frame people’s lives and activities on a scale that no other form of media has ever been able to enjoy. This paper explores the various political missions of the...Show moreTelevision possesses the power to frame people’s lives and activities on a scale that no other form of media has ever been able to enjoy. This paper explores the various political missions of the Chinese television broadcast, and examines the modern type of propaganda publicized and disseminated throughout contemporary TV formats. Since its first introduction to China, the domestic digital box has become one of most efficient media for the spread of a new form of propaganda, thus helping the Party in its attempts to construct people’s identities. Given the findings that the media have always acted as mouthpieces of the government, this research points out that some particular television formats have been widely employed as thought work distributors. This thesis focuses primarily on TV serial dramas, which, despite often appearing to be the most innocuous and entertaining of broadcasts, are instead practically brimming with political discourses. More specifically, the main aim of this study is to explore the social and political contexts that have given rise to Dynasty dramas, which have emerged as the most conspicuous genre present on prime time TV thus far. Which sorts of political messages are concealed behind historical dramas? And for which reasons is the Party so committed to promulgating these types of ideas? Do these messages serve to legitimize the Party’s mandates? This research departs from the well-researched trend of exploring governmental media use in broad terms, turning its attention instead to television in particular. This essay widely examines the use of television in modern society, and epitomizes it as the new platform upon which the Party is able to construct or mold “politically educated” and “spiritually civilized” identities. Ultimately, the active engagement of dramas with cultural and political issues is proved, through the analysis of two of the most renowned contemporary Dynasty series “Yongzheng Dynasty” and “The Great Han Emperor Wu”-.Show less
This thesis is a sociolinguistic study of the phenomenon of 'fanspeak', the use of Japanese words by English-speaking fans of Japanese manga and anime, in computer mediated communication. The...Show moreThis thesis is a sociolinguistic study of the phenomenon of 'fanspeak', the use of Japanese words by English-speaking fans of Japanese manga and anime, in computer mediated communication. The internet has enabled fans from all over the world to communicate with each other and form an online subculture of sorts. The abundant use of loanwords from Japanese in this online discourse is striking. Using data collected from various manga and anime related websites and message boards, and interviews with the fans who use this kind of language, this thesis aims examine the characteristics of fanspeak from multiple angles. First its origins and social functions are discussed; why does fanspeak exist? Next, the semantics of fanspeak are analyzed; are the borrowed words used in the same meaning as in Japanese, or have their meanings and connotations shifted in the adaptation for use in English? Lastly, the morphological properties of fanspeak are addressed; what kind of grammatical transformations do Japanese words undergo in their adaptation? By addressing these issues I hope to clarify to what extent Japanese fanspeak has been incorporated into English internet discourse, and why and how this is diversifying the subcultural language of English speaking manga and anime fans.Show less
This paper tackles the question of state-initiated identity construction at home, which is integral to the CCCP’s regime legitimacy. The main focus of the article is a case study on the World Expo...Show moreThis paper tackles the question of state-initiated identity construction at home, which is integral to the CCCP’s regime legitimacy. The main focus of the article is a case study on the World Expo held in Shanghai in 2010. This project investigates how iconic images from the Shanghai Expo 2010 (slogan, opening ceremony, logo, and venues’ architecture) form a visual narrative in which Chinese history and identity are configured to meet the political goals of the Central Communist Party. This paper contends that, during the staging of Shanghai World Expo 2010, the Chinese ruling elite propagated official image in a continuous effort to reproduce the beliefs of the population in the Communist Party’s leadership qualities. This paper suggests that the attempts of the Chinese government to strengthen its legitimacy can be connected to the process of national identity creation.Show less
Though the history of Japanese railway companies share similarities with those found for example in the Netherlands and Belgium, there are differences. I argue that these differences facilitated...Show moreThough the history of Japanese railway companies share similarities with those found for example in the Netherlands and Belgium, there are differences. I argue that these differences facilitated the control of private railway companies in Japan. Furthermore, Japanese railway companies expand on their service by undertaking various side businesses such as department stores, being active in real estate, and so on. Because of this difference in activities, I argue that their impact on the development of railway stations as a public space has been greater than those found in Europe. Even though it can be argued that space is political, space itself is shaped by historical and natural elements. Thus, to understand how Japanese railway companies have influenced public space, it is important to look at its historical component. I will first discuss space and social theory and use this as a starting point for my theoretical framework, allowing for an insight into how spaces are defined and how they influence social interaction. After discussing general theory on space, I will discuss space within an urban setting in order to demonstrate how different aspects of theory on space come into play. I will delve into how urban environments like cities are divided but also how on the other hand these are connected with each other. Within the established framework, I will then focus on two railway stations, Ikebukuro Station and Tokyo Station, to demonstrate that even though they are both a public space they differ in their representation of a public spaceShow less
In this thesis the aim is to work on questions related to soft power in the cultural policies of the Lee government. As previous research on hallyu had been focusing mainly on the reason of its...Show moreIn this thesis the aim is to work on questions related to soft power in the cultural policies of the Lee government. As previous research on hallyu had been focusing mainly on the reason of its spread, presidencies in the early stages of hallyu, the economic aspects of hallyu and research dealing with state power was more focused on South Korea’s engagement in military peace operations and development aid not much could be found on the relation of the Lee government with cultural soft power. Even though this was eminent in his cultural policies throughout the years. Therefore this thesis focuses on the questions of how the Lee administration’s goals and uses of soft power are reflected and pursued in the cultural industry policy. How does the government see the use of cultural policy for economic and image goals and why this is deemed important. These questions were researched in a framework of soft power as coined by Joseph Nye and this framework was used while analysing the cultural White Papers that were published during the five years of Lee’s presidency. In the end the concept of soft power is very applicable to South Korea and its situation. If one were to catch the importance of soft power to South Korea in one word it would be: visibility.Show less
As a reaction to the poor handling by the Japanese government of the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the Fukushima Children Network was established whose main goal it is to...Show moreAs a reaction to the poor handling by the Japanese government of the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the Fukushima Children Network was established whose main goal it is to prevent children from being irradiated by radioactive materials. With the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster, mother's would yet again take up their motherhood and use in such a way that they are supposedly the expert concerning their children's well being. This research will analyze the activities of the Fukushima Children Network in relation to the concept of civil society in Japan as coined by Jurgen Habermas. The main research question will be: What is the effect of Fukushima Children Network's actions in the public sphere? More specifically, did their actions lead to a growing awareness of the dangers, such as radioactive contamination, that the use of nuclear energy brings about? Starting with only a few people and setting out their course of action, they gained notoriety throughout the country. Also having inspired other members of the public to take action on their own, it can be argued that they have come quite far within the public sphere.Show less
This thesis explores one of the solutions to the problem of a declining labour force Japan is faced with: increasing women’s employment, also after marriage and/or childbirth. In Japan, women...Show moreThis thesis explores one of the solutions to the problem of a declining labour force Japan is faced with: increasing women’s employment, also after marriage and/or childbirth. In Japan, women generally occupy a significantly lower position than men in the workplace. Through in-depth interviews with Japanese women, I have found answers to the following questions: What do Japanese women think of this inequality? Are they demotivated by a lack of prospects? Additionally, I explore what they consider important in a job, taking both content and conditions of employment into account. I argue that when the elements women consider important in work are determined, future laws and regulations aimed at increasing women’s employment rate can take these elements into account. Consequently, such laws will be more efficient in drawing more women to the labour force.Show less
This thesis considers the role of social capital in the post-disaster recovery of fishermen and farmers in a coastal and rural region. Primarily focusing on two towns in Miyagi prefecture which...Show moreThis thesis considers the role of social capital in the post-disaster recovery of fishermen and farmers in a coastal and rural region. Primarily focusing on two towns in Miyagi prefecture which were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the resulting tsunami in 2011, this thesis considers how the possession of cultural and social capital can hinder or enable recovery and company growth. Through the use of three case studies involving local fishermen and farmers who were affected by the disaster, this thesis argues that social capital plays an important role in enabling the recovery and growth of affected individuals and companies. In addition, not only the possession, but also the characteristics of said social capital determines to what extent and for what purposes social capital can be used to achieve recovery.Show less
For China, 2013 was the year of anti-corruption. The starting point of my research is that anti-corruption is not just a process of punishing political or economic crimes or improving supervision...Show moreFor China, 2013 was the year of anti-corruption. The starting point of my research is that anti-corruption is not just a process of punishing political or economic crimes or improving supervision mechanisms, but also a process to reconstruct the Party’s legitimacy. Therefore, from the perspective of political legitimacy, questions concerning how to tell the story of corruption become crucial. My central research question focuses on (1) what the discursive range of anti-corruption reporting by different Chinese media was and (2) how these narratives related to the Party’s legitimacy.Show less
Minority languages worldwide are threatened with extinction as speakers shift to the majority language. The Ryukyuan languages spoken on the Ryukyu Islands, the most southern part of Japan,are no...Show moreMinority languages worldwide are threatened with extinction as speakers shift to the majority language. The Ryukyuan languages spoken on the Ryukyu Islands, the most southern part of Japan,are no exception. This thesis aims to foresee and advice on the future of one of these languages: uchināguchi, spoken on the largest island of the archipelago. Through interviews and (participant) observation the motives and goals of those learning the language in Tokyo are categorized and compared to those studying uchināguchi on the island itself. Applying theories from the field of language planning and sociolinguistics, the conclusion aims to help teachers and students alike, shaping the future of this particular minority language.Show less
