Japanese Curriculum Units for NEH Workshops

NEH Project: Inter-Cultural Assimilation and Conflict: Japan and Asia

Name:
Joyce Haines, Ph.D. < joycehaines@juno.com >

Discipline:
Humanities

Colleges:
Kansas City, Kansas Community College (KCKCC)
Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN)
Friends University -- Topeka, Kansas

Title:
"The Bodhisattva Kannon: Seven Keshin of the Japanese Shingon Tradition"
(This is a 6-hour module created to supplement a 3-credit hour course.)

Courses for which units are being prepared:
Introduction to Humanities (KCKCC) – online through Web-CT
Mythology in Literature (CCSN) – online through Web-CT
Search for Meaning in a Changing World (Friends – on campus)

Description of Target Audiences:

This unit is designed to supplement online foundations courses in Humanities (Introduction to World Mythology) and Literature (Mythology in Literature) and an evening course in Modern World History/Philosophy (The Search for Meaning in a Changing World).

The non-traditional, degree-seeking students in these courses come from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds; most balance full-time work schedules and family responsibilities with part-time enrollment in undergraduate classes. They demonstrate high motivation, but minimal background knowledge of the arts. A small group of students in each class has had some exposure to foreign cultures as a result of their military background; approximately one-third of the students have had limited cultural diversity training through their employment; however, most students, especially those in the mid-west, have no familiarity with Asian arts and cultural traditions. A few students have expressed negative thoughts about foreign cultures, especially Asia and the Middle East, for political, economic, or religious reasons.

KCKCC Enrollment and Demographic Profile:
(Spring, 2003)< http://www.kckcc.edu/crcd/spring2003sd.psp#ethnicity >
5,649 students (including 54 international students from 19 countries)
Average age:
30 years (63% female and 37% male)
Ethnicity:
64% Caucasian; 26% African American; 5% Hispanic; 2% Asian

CCSN Enrollment and Demographic Profile:
(Spring, 2002) < http://www.ccsn.edu/iss/profile.html >
31,470 students (including 596 international students from 58 countries)
Average age:
31 years (53% female and 47% male)
Ethnicity:
56.24% Caucasian; 14.73% Hispanic; 10.77% African American; 8.27% Asian

Friends Enrollment and Demographic Profile:
(Spring, 2001) < http://www.uscollegesearch.org/friends_university.html >
3,247 students on four campuses (2,668 undergraduates)
Ethnicity:
81% Caucasian; 10% African American 3% Hispanic; 2% Asian

Goals of Unit:

To introduce North American community college students to the art, literature, and spiritual traditions of Japan
To encourage a life-long appreciation of international art and literature by introducing sculptures and stories that illustrate the concept of the “Bodhisattva” of compassion (“Kannon”)
To demonstrate ways to interpret sculpture through an examination of the subject, context, form and style of each piece
To promote exploration of Japanese art, through individual and group field trips to local art museums and through visits to “virtual museums” on the World Wide Web
To introduce students to internet resources for comparative mythology
To familiarize students with basic concepts of Japanese Buddhist philosophy, as expressed through art and literature
To enhance student knowledge of the Japanese literary forms of Noh, Kabuki and Haiku
To develop skills in writing analytical essays and research papers in the humanities.

Introduction to Material: Background Knowledge Necessary for Instructor of Unit

The instructor should be familiar with Japanese sculptural and literary forms, as well as the Buddhist concept of the “Bodhisattva.” A bibliography and list of World Wide Web links for this background material are included at the end of this document, along with a separate PowerPoint demonstration.

Student Readings:

1. Background on Japanese History and Culture:

Varley, Paul. Japanese Culture. Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 2000. (selections)

2. General background material on Kannon:

< http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/kannon.shtml >

3. PowerPoint Presentation (containing a brief bibliography and internet links):

"The Bodhisattva Kannon: Seven Keshin of the Japanese Shingon Tradition" (hand-out)

4. Buddhist Sculpture in Japanese Art Museums and Temples:

< http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/japan/finder1.html >

5. General Background on Japanese Art:

Stephen Addiss with Audrey Yosyshiko Seo. How to Look at Japanese Art. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1996. (selections)

Pre-Reading Assignment:

Handout: “Key Questions when Looking at Sculpture” *

Subject.

What subject does this sculpture represent?

What was its purpose and function?

What kind of belief does it embody, and how does it express this belief?

Context.

Is this work now in its original setting?

If not, how might it have been shown originally?

Would it have been seen from above, from below, or from the same level?

Was it part of a larger group?

Would it have been in a temple?

If so, how might it have looked there?

Form.

Does this sculpture have a strong frontal presentation?

How does it look from different sides?

From different angles?

In different lights?

Is it self-contained or gesturing outward?

How has the material (wood, bronze, clay, lacquer, and so on) been used?

Style.

Is this work primarily rounded or angular?

Detailed or simplified?

Smooth or rough?

Linear or volumetric?

Individualized or abstracted?

How is the style related to the original function of the image?

* Source: Stephen Addiss with Audrey Yosyhiko Seo. How to Look at Japanese Art. New York: Harry N. Abrams, p. 53.

Classroom Activities and Field Trips:

PowerPoint Presentation:

* Introduction to Buddhism

* Brief History of Buddhism in Japan

* Summary of Buddhist Sects in America

* Definition of Bodhisattva and Etymology of Kannon

* “Key Questions When Looking at Sculpture”

* Summary and Illustrations of Sculptures depicting seven keshin (manifestations) of Kannon (Sanskrit "Avalokitesvara") in the Japanese Shingon sect of Buddhism:

1. Senju Kannon (Sahasrabhuja)

2. Juichimen Kannon (Ekadasamuhka)

3. Nyoirin Kannon (Cintamani cakra)

4. Fukukenjaku Kannon (Amoghapasa)

5. Bato Kannon (Hayagriva)

6. Juntei Kannon (Cundi)

7. Sho Kannon (Arya-avalokitesvara)

· Optional field trip to local art museum

· “Virtual field trip” to web sites listed on hand-outs and in PowerPoint presentation

· Haiku exercise

· Recommended: Film on Japanese culture: “Japan Past and Present: Buddha in the Land of the Kami” (53 minutes)

· Small group examination and comparison of works of Japanese sculpture brought by instructor (on campus classes only)

Writing assignments, examination questions, evaluation methods:

· Essay / Research Paper Topics:

1. Compare a keshin of the Buddhist Bodhisattva Kannon to Catholic Lady of Guadalupe, using both sculptural and literary forms to explain the similarities and differences.

2. Discuss the evolution of the Bodhisattva tradition from India to Japan.

3. Discuss the value of studying the art, literature and religious traditions of another culture, using examples of Kannon.

4. Briefly summarize a story about Kannon, then discuss its universal appeal. What particular archetypes do you notice?

· Haiku:

Write a haiku that exemplifies the Bodhisattva spirit.

Write a haiku expressing your feelings upon seeing a work of Japanese art.

· Crossword Puzzle (available on PowerPoint Presentation)

Across:

3. Site of a famous Japanese temple: Muroji

6. Major text of Buddhism: Sutra

8. Protector deities: Esoteric Buddhism: Vidyaraja

9. Hindu and Buddhist hand gesture: Mudra

12.State of Englightenment (Sanskrit): Nirvana

14.Simple, sacred form of Kannon: Sho

16. Seated Mother Kannon with 18 arms: Juntei

17.Sanskrit name for Juntei Kannon: Cundi

18.Female Buddhist devoted to prayer: Nun

19.Protector of Childrlen: Jizo

20._ _ _ _ Land sect of Buddhism: Pure

Down:

1. State of enlightenment (Japanese): Satori

2. Eleven-headed Kannon: Juichimen

4. Kannon with lasso and net: Fukukenjaku

5. Horse-headed Kannon: Bato

7. Sanskrit name for Bato Kannon: Hayagriva

10.”Watchful Listener” / “One who hears the cries of the world”: Kannon

12.Seated Kannon with six arms: Nyoirin

13._ _ _ _ _ Lama: Dalai

15.Thousand-armed Kannon: Senju

16.Japanese pilgrimages: Junrei

Bibliography:

Addiss, Stephen, and Audrey Yoshiko Seo. How to Look at Japanese Art. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1996.

Auboyer, Jeanine, Michael Beurdeley, and Jean Boisselier. Forms and Styles: Asia. Fribourg, Switzerland: Evergreen, 1978.

Baker, Joan Stanley. Japanese Art. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd., 2000.

Bowker, John. World Religions: The Great Faiths Explored and Explained. New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1997.

Brennan Ford, Barbara. The Arts of Japan. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1987.

Cunningham, Michael R. Buddhist Treasures from Nara. New York: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1998.

Delay, Nelly. The Art and Culture of Japan. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd and Harry N. Abrams, 1999.

Fisher, Robert E. Buddhist Art and Architecture. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd., 1993.

Goepper, Roger. Shingon: Die Kunst Des Geheimen Buddhismus in Japan. Koln, Germany: Museum fur Ostasiatische Kunst der Stadt Koln, 1988.

Graham, Lanier. Goddesses in Art. New York: Artabras, Abbeville Publishing Group, 1997.

Guth, Christine. Art of Edo Japan: The Artist and the City, 1615-1868. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1996.

Hane, Mikiso. Premodern Japan: A Historical Survey. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1991.

Hiromitsu, Washizuka, Park Youngbok, and Kang Woo-Bang. Transmitting the Forms of Divinity: Early Buddhist Art from Korea and Japan. New York: Japan Society and Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2003.

Hiromitsu, Washizuka, and Roger Goepper. Enlightenment Embodied: The Art of the Japanese Buddhist Sculptor (7th - 14th Centuries). New York: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-Cho), Government of Japan, 1997.

Kidder, Jr., J. Edward. Japanese Temples: Sculpture, Paintings, Gardens, and Architecture. Tokyo and Amsterdam: Bijutsu Shuppan-Sha and Harry N. Abrams, 1964.

Kuwayama, George. Art Treasures from Japan. Tokyo, Japan and Palo Alto, California: Kodansha International, Ltd., 1971.

Kyotaro, Nishikawa. Bodhisattva: Special Exhibition. Nara, Japan: Nara National Museum, 1987.

Kyotaro, Nishikawa, and Emily J. Sano. The Great Age of Japanese Buddhist Sculpture, AD 600-1300. Seattle and London: Kimbell Art Museum, 1983.

Mizuno, Seiichi, translated by Richard L. Gage. Asuka Buddhist Art: Horyu-Ji. New York and Tokyo: John Weatherhill, Inc. and Heibonsha, 1974.

Nara National Museum. Buddhist Dieties of Muro-Ji Temple. Osaka, Japan: The Yomiuri Shimbun and Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, 1999.

Nishimura Morse, Anne, and Nobuo Tsuji. Japanese Art in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Vol. 1, Plates. Boston and Tokyo: Museum of Fine Arts and Kodansha Ltd., 1998.

Nishimura Morse, Anne, and Nobuo Tsuji. Japanese Art in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Vol. 1, Text. Boston and Tokyo: Museum of Fine Arts and Kodansha Ltd.,1998.

Paine, Robert Treat, and Alexander Soper. The Art and Architecture of Japan. Middlesex , England: Penguin Books, Ltd., 1974.

Tokyo National Museum. Treasures from Daigo-ji Temple. Tokyo, Japan: Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc., 2001.

Treasures of Buddhist Art from the Saidai-Ji Temple, Nara. Nara, Japan and Tokyo, Japan: Nara National Museum and Tokyo National Museum, 1991.

Varley, Paul. Japanese Culture. Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 2000.

Yu, Chun-Fang. Kuan-Yin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokitesvara. New York: Columbia University Press, 2001.

Internet Links (Categorized by Topic – updated 12/15/03):

AVALOKITESVARA:

http://www.manjushri.com/BUDDHA/Blist.html

http://www.manjushri.com/LIBRARY/library.html

Best link for background information on Kannon:

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/kannon.shtml

SEVEN KESHIN OF KANNON: