The thesis discusses the hybridity of Japanese sartorial culture with a focus on the works of Issey Miyake. It explores the boundaries between culture, body and sartorial design. Moreover, how do...Show moreThe thesis discusses the hybridity of Japanese sartorial culture with a focus on the works of Issey Miyake. It explores the boundaries between culture, body and sartorial design. Moreover, how do the designs of Issey Miyake express his Japanese identity while also crossing borders between East and West?Show less
This thesis identifies the ideals of risshin shusse ("Rising in the world") as portrayed within Meiji period sugoroku boardgames targeted at elementary school students. It compares the actual...Show moreThis thesis identifies the ideals of risshin shusse ("Rising in the world") as portrayed within Meiji period sugoroku boardgames targeted at elementary school students. It compares the actual realities of children at the time to that which is portrayed in the sugoroku and places the primary sources in their historical context.Show less
This thesis researches how the concepts of tokenism and cultural memory are used to explain and strengthen the narrative of patriotic martyr Yu Kwansun as seemingly the sole important Korean female...Show moreThis thesis researches how the concepts of tokenism and cultural memory are used to explain and strengthen the narrative of patriotic martyr Yu Kwansun as seemingly the sole important Korean female resistance fighter in contemporary South Korean society. By critically analyzing the various South Korean school textbooks, online news articles, governmental weblogs, literature, memory sites, museum labels, cinematic texts and the presidential speech in 2019, it seems that Yu Kwansun has a more highlighted role in society compared to the other female historical figures who are portrayed in the history canon. The portrayal of Yu Kwansun as a token has the purpose of constructing the image of an inclusive society through history. While the narrative of Yu Kwansun in society might give the appearance of inclusivity, the narratives of other important historical female figures in Korean history are literally left in the background. (Korean) women in general are still viewed as a single entity and their accomplishments are often credited to the group instead of their own efforts. Ultimately, this thesis has shown how historical female figures are portrayed in contemporary society by focusing on the case study of Yu Kwansun.Show less
This thesis is a study of the role of one of the constituent domains of the early modern Japanese state, Hizen, in the Meiji Revolution which overthrew the Tokugawa state.
In this thesis, research is done on identity change of Chinese students in the Netherlands. Three aspects of identity change have been focused on: filial identity change, religious identity change,...Show moreIn this thesis, research is done on identity change of Chinese students in the Netherlands. Three aspects of identity change have been focused on: filial identity change, religious identity change, and political identity change.Show less
In the years 1663-1665, the Danish King Frederick III (1609-1670) had the walls of his cabinet in Rosenborg Castle entirely covered by black lacquer panels by the Dutch artist François de Bray (c....Show moreIn the years 1663-1665, the Danish King Frederick III (1609-1670) had the walls of his cabinet in Rosenborg Castle entirely covered by black lacquer panels by the Dutch artist François de Bray (c. 1642-c. 1672). This room later became known as the "Chinese Tower Room". This thesis discusses the design of the "Chinese Tower Room" by tracing its history since the time of King Christian IV (1577-1648), the first Danish monarch with an interest in Asian objects, and also in relation to the environment of lacquer workers in the Dutch Republic, from where many artists working at the Danish court originated. Transculturation, the transformation of a culture by the influx of new cultural elements and the loss or alteration of existing ones, played an important role in the room's creation. It created a new symbolic cultural language that was used to reinforce the status of the monarch and the existing ideologies that legitimized his position.Show less
A commonly observed phenomenon is villagers have more trust in the central government rather than their local government in rural China. This article changes survey settings to urban areas and...Show moreA commonly observed phenomenon is villagers have more trust in the central government rather than their local government in rural China. This article changes survey settings to urban areas and seeks to study sources of the trust gap and implications behind it. Survey findings indicate the so-called hierarchy trust does exist in urban China. Moreover, drawing on analyses of questionnaires and interviews, this article concludes that urbanites’ evaluations of government’s performance and intention, belief in Confucianism and collectivism values, life satisfaction, previous experiences with government significantly shape their political trust.Show less
