In this thesis, I try to answer the research question “How were the samurai satirized through the usage of anthropomorphic animal imagery in visual art during the Bakumatsu period”. I aim to...Show moreIn this thesis, I try to answer the research question “How were the samurai satirized through the usage of anthropomorphic animal imagery in visual art during the Bakumatsu period”. I aim to explore the use of animals in visual art to depict samurai and the connection between the use of animals and the concept of parody. During these turbulent times from the 1840’s to the 1860’s an increase in political satire is seen in visual art, as such the usage of animal imagery to convey this satire is also seen during these years originating from the Tenpō reforms. Through the concepts of parody, historical context, and various analyses I will have enough material to formulate a conclusion. It shows that the decline of the shogunate did not result in a consistent nationwide rise in grotesque animal portrayals of the samurai. Factors such as place and the level of authoritative power also played significant roles.Show less
The Church of the SubGenius is one of many invented parody religions that have popped up around the turn of the century. These distinct religions, often with catchy and humorous names such as the...Show moreThe Church of the SubGenius is one of many invented parody religions that have popped up around the turn of the century. These distinct religions, often with catchy and humorous names such as the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster or the United Church of Bacon, confuse people who expect religion to be primarily concerned with spirituality or communication with the divine. If not about those things, what are these religions about? Why are they created, and how have these religions gained such popularity and so many loyal followers who are willing to engage with their subject matter for decades? This thesis aims to answer these questions through an adaptation of theories of minimal counterintuitiveness (MCI) and bizarreness.Show less
