Post by Caden Hong on Oct 15, 2015 2:16:44 GMT
When I read “Passage to Fudaraku,” I thought it explored an interesting avenue in the realm of religion. Despite Konko’s position as an abbot, we witness his feelings of doubt and fear in regards to Fudaraku. While other people who have gone on their journeys accepted their fate without questioning its purpose, we were able to see how anxious Konko got over his upcoming journey. While the others accepted death as a pathway to “acquire eternal life at the end of the voyage,” it is clear that Konko still desired to live his life; he wished to be free from the societal and religious pressure that eventually cornered him into participating in this ceremony (214). Deviance from society, rebellion, and resistance all seem like important themes and motifs that occurred throughout this story. And I feel that Konko’s fear of death partially comes from this place of suspicion as to whether the hype about Fudaraku is true or not. To me, it felt like even though Konko spent all his free time leading up to the journey trying to read religious scripts and trying to be closer to the state of enlightenment, a sense of doubt prevented him from fully subscribing to the religion and its practices. This fear of death and fear of unwillingly assimilating to the rest of the society are also some themes I found to be important in this story.
In “The Expert,” I think Chi Ch’ang learned the true purpose behind archery from Kan Ying. I think Kan Ying taught Chi Ch’ang the art, the purpose, and the meaning of archery rather than the actual act of using a bow and arrow. I think this was a criticism of people taking part in an activity (whether it be archery, painting, music, sport) in a mindless fashion; some people never seem to have a grip on what the actual activity means and why it was created. It feels like Kan Ying helped Chi Cha’ang to unveil what archery is supposed to be. By reaching that state of enlightenment, Chi was no longer holding onto superficial feelings like a sense of competition. Rather, he ended up being very satisfied with himself and his skills. I thought his attitude changed dramatically from being greedy and demanding to enlightened.
1. What is the significance behind turning 61 years old, that people were asked to sacrifice their current life so that they could acquire a form of eternal life?
2. In Japanese culture, Chinese culture, or in any other cultures, what is the importance of archery? Why is it that “The Expert” focused on archery and not anything else?
In “The Expert,” I think Chi Ch’ang learned the true purpose behind archery from Kan Ying. I think Kan Ying taught Chi Ch’ang the art, the purpose, and the meaning of archery rather than the actual act of using a bow and arrow. I think this was a criticism of people taking part in an activity (whether it be archery, painting, music, sport) in a mindless fashion; some people never seem to have a grip on what the actual activity means and why it was created. It feels like Kan Ying helped Chi Cha’ang to unveil what archery is supposed to be. By reaching that state of enlightenment, Chi was no longer holding onto superficial feelings like a sense of competition. Rather, he ended up being very satisfied with himself and his skills. I thought his attitude changed dramatically from being greedy and demanding to enlightened.
1. What is the significance behind turning 61 years old, that people were asked to sacrifice their current life so that they could acquire a form of eternal life?
2. In Japanese culture, Chinese culture, or in any other cultures, what is the importance of archery? Why is it that “The Expert” focused on archery and not anything else?
