Asian Studies

The fields of Chinese medicine and Western medicine both arose from the need to understand the human body. Thus, extensive analysis and observation of both internal and external factors were studied, but these were done so using different approaches. Hence, they progressed and evolved differently, with Chinese medicine bound to a system of mystical origins and Western medicine hailed as the more skeptical of the two. The ancient art of Chinese medicine, once revered as the only true medicine in...

The book entitled Samurai and Silk A Japanese and American Heritage is considered to be one of the most informative and genuine readings that mainly tackle the history of modern Japanese society. This book is written by Haru Matsukata-Reischauer, a famous Japanese writer during the mid and late nineteenth century. She is a granddaughter of the late Masayoshi Matsukata, the fourth and sixth Prime Minister of Japan (Haru Reischauer). Harus grandfather is also a famous liberal finance minister during...

A. The short movie If I was Like You lends itself to different definitions but can be best defined in terms of Francias (1995) definition in that it illustrates how Asian Americans undergo hardships in assimilating into American culture, not only being accepted by Caucasian Americans but by African Americans as well. In its attempt to depict the Asian identity the film opposes the ruling culture in its portrayal of the white police officer and Daniel opposing his orders. The difference between this...

In her article discussing the Angel Island Poems, Karen Polster affirms that the poems are among the most dramatic works in the American literature. She believes that they uphold and support the ideology of unlimited and equal opportunities. The collapsing buildings of the former immigration station were supposed to be brought down, before this was done, sections of Chinese writing were discovered on the wall due to the peeling paint of the wooden walls. The writings in some way were poetry. The...

Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) is the name often associated with a wide range of traditional medical practices normally in use in China. Marjorie Pivar and Quang Van Nguyens Fourth Uncle in the Mountain text discusses various aspects of Chinese medicine.  After reading this informative text, I have gained insight into the reality and significance of Chinese traditional medicine. The medications, which are the most important forms of oriental medicine, have developed over several thousands...

Japanese culture has long been steeped with influence and belief in the supernatural, with many of their practices  just like in many other cultures  revolving around these supernatural beliefs. As such, the influence of the supernatural has found its way into many aspects of Japanese living from formalities to pleasantries, business to pleasure and perhaps the most significant reflection of their supernatural influences, the rich, magical world of Japanese literature. Being among the...

Japanese culture has long been steeped with influence and belief in the supernatural, with many of their practices  just like in many other cultures  revolving around these supernatural beliefs. As such, the influence of the supernatural has found its way into many aspects of Japanese living from formalities to pleasantries, business to pleasure and perhaps the most significant reflection of their supernatural influences, the rich, magical world of Japanese literature. Being among the...

The Angel Island poems are based on the happenings of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, where some Chinese people were detained for a long time in an island in San Francisco. These poems are historical and they are deemed as relics. In addition to this, the Angel Island poems uphold as well as question the traditional ideologies of unlimited and equal opportunity in the American society. The kind of readership that the Angel Island poets are addressing in their writings is the historical value...

Indonesia as a country continues to be shaped by different aspects of its culture, politics, and norms. This then brings about the connection among its citizens and establishes the value of identity. It is through pursuing these interests that the aspect of policy development becomes seen in political, social, and economic realities. This essay will reflect on the interplay of popular culture and politics in Indonesia and how it shapes the development of values. Moreover, the paper will also try...

After a period of economic boom, the United States went bust.  The situation today is similar to the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression of the Thirties, which remind people that business cycles dictate their lives.  America is now also at war again after a temporary peaceful lull.  And just like the Roman or Greek empires which rose and fell, the Unites States is now declining relative to other political powers like China.  Christians sometimes panic and think that the...

Buddhism is not just one of the worlds biggest religions, as any history book would show it is also one of the worlds oldest religions. It can be dated as far as 2,500 years ago with members all around the globe that use its three jewels (the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha) not only as parts of their religion but also as a way of living and treating everything else around them. Buddhism in its simplest form can be interpreted through two basic tenets or foundations of its teachings (Swearer 71)....

In Buddhism, it is believed that human beings, nature spirits and inanimate forms possess spirits. Korean Buddhism came into existence as a result of a blend between Chinese Buddhism and Korean Shamanism although the teachings of Buddha remained the same (BiK 3).Due to this fact, the real rituals of Buddhism are merged with Shamanism resulting into an ecumenical approach in thought and practice. The following paper will discuss introduction of Buddhism in Korea and site examples of its artificial...

Afghanistan has experienced power struggles since it came into existence with some struggles turning bloody while others were being won without much struggle. Since 2001, American together with Afghan forces has taken over the responsibility of offering security. This has help put the insurgents at bay and help improve the living standards of people. This paper is going to look into the historical aspects of Afghanistan and Logar province in particular. Since the intervention of the international...