The Role Of The Geisha In Japanese Culture Essays - Japanese Culture

The Role of the Geisha in Japanese Culture Japan, located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Asian Continent, is a nation composed of almost 7,000 islands, many are small. The four main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Japan has the seventh largest population in the world. With approximately 125 million inhabitants, the only countries with a higher population are China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Brazil. The population which is about half of the United States, lives on only 1/25 as much total land mass, this computes to being one of the highest population densities in the world. These conditions reflect in the Japanese cultural values and their desire for being a collective society.1 The Japanese style of conducting business differs greatly from the western model. It has grown out of the nation's unique history cultured philosophy. The Japanese people are isolated in an island nation's unique history, culture, and philosophy. The island nation is under constant bombardment by the harsh forces of nature, have traditionally placed a strong emphasis on working together as a group in order to survive. Their culture is deeply influenced by Confucianism, with its rigid rules governing conduct and its emphasis on trust, consensus, and hierarchy. These ancient roots have influenced every aspect of Japanese business; from the way formal meetings are conducted to the importance placed on after-hours socializing. It has shaped a business culture in which long-term, mutually beneficial relationships are of paramount importance. By understanding and adapting to this business culture, Western executives eager to do business in Japan will be able to be enlightened to be more productive associations with their Japanese colleagues and will increase the probability of achieving the goals of their meetings there. It is important to understand the role of the female entertainer in Japanese culture. That is why the Geisha has a specific role.2 The geisha is described as a ?century old professional entertainer? the geisha is an important part of traditional Japanese social life. Geisha are masters in the arts, trained in music, calligraphy, Sado (tea ceremony) poetry, conversation and social graces as well as three stringed instruments called Shamisen. They dress in traditional kimonos, stunning in their elegance. Basic wooden geta clogs are worn for footwear, and hair is up in bun type coiffures trimmed with metallic accessories. Geisha literally translated means ?beauty person? or ?person who lives by the arts.?3 The geisha emerged around the mid-Edo period (1600- 1868). The first geisha appeared at parties in the 1600's. Surprisingly, they were men. Beating drums and making jokes, they entertained the guests and warriors. As time passed this type of entertaining became a female occupation. By the 1780's female geisha out numbered men and inspired artists, writers, and musicians with their majestic lives in the flower and willow setting. From the end of the Edo period to the present geisha have had connections with businessmen and even with government officials. They were not only revered in Japan, but also fascinated most of western culture. Their fees are rather exorbitantly expensive so they are primarily reserved for the elite. Instead of being calculated by the hour it is referred to in units of sticks, since the fee was formally figured by the lengths of time it took a stick of incense to burn down. One hour generally consists of ?four sticks,? which is the minimum amount of payment.4 Most people hear about Geisha and believe that they are all prostitutes. Geisha is an art.5 The geisha is not a prostitute, but an entertainer trying to make a living.6 The mystic geisha, at one time admired for purity in keeping with men, is inevitably still a source of desire.7A Geisha is a high-class professional who exists on the same continuum as a prostitute. These women who become geisha's not out of love but because opportunity affords them this life. Men hire women to entertain them, and the principal role of a geisha is to provide female companionship. At times that entails just being arm candy, and unfortunately at other times it also involves sex.8 These women are professional hostesses in a variation. The geisha primarily entertain the higher class. These women are extensively trained in many of the traditional Japanese arts.9 Men have sought women of another type (instead of their wives) to entertain them in public, to break the ice of social convention-thicker in Japan than elsewhere, to pour sake, to sing, dance, play the

Justice for Socrates and Augustine

Justice for Socrates and Augustine People define justice differently according to their understanding of the situation in question. Most people confuse justice and punishment (Lyons 16). The idea behind it is that two mistakes can provide a solution which implies that a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye. I suppose that justice is fair treatment and acting fairly in all situations that one may come across. To get a more precise definition, justice is the course or action which will restore balance to a situation (Augustine 34).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Justice for Socrates and Augustine specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the discussion, how different philosophers define justice and how they propose on how it should be handled by different groups of people is extremely valuable (Dockendorf 24). For that case, we take two most identified philosophers who are Socrates and Augustine. The two scholars gave their definitions of justice basing on different perspectives but all pointing towards the same direction in giving fairness to people. For many years, people have defined justice in various ways. Plato’s work has given records on Socrates views on justice. This gives us the ability to read and understand the Socrates way of thinking toward justice. According to Socrates, justice was just good, and it could only be reached through self knowledge. He claimed that unanimous good existed and each and every person had the ability to find the good. When philosophers analyzed the justice issue, they discussed and gave their results as justice being good. This is according to Plato’s Republic first two books. Then they also looked at the opposite of justice as evil. For a person to be seen as just, he or she ought to be a good person and the crucial question here is to know what good is. Kealy indicates that good can be what is necessary, lacked or desired (Lyons 27). Socrates comes in on the same note and says that they are natural requirements but not what a person feels that he needs. A person’s nature is the daimon (the person’s inner self which seeks fulfillment). Logically the good preferred since it fulfills a person’s nature and Socrates indicate that the hunt for happiness is the normal objective in life. When I look at the word good, and the definition it leaves me puzzled. What may seem good to me might be worst to another person (Dockendorf 39). This justifies the saying that â€Å"one man’s meat is another man’s poison.† Every individual is just unique on his or her own way. The daimon of one person is much different from the other person’s daimon. Basing on this factor, Kealy proposes that one should identify his or her own potential (Augustine 43). Somebody’s ideas should not be followed to determine what is good for him or herself. This must be done considering Knowledge Next (Lyons 35). Socrates explained the idea an d notes that knowledge directs one to good and knowledge itself is good.Advertising Looking for report on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This indicates that self knowledge directs one to knowledge of differentiating between evil and good. It is only through the understanding that one can avoid committing evil deeds. One can only commit wrong if he or she is ignorant in his own actions (Augustine 48). According to Socrates knowledge is a virtue and on the reverse is ignorance. In this case, I can cite for major virtues courage, justice, temperance and piety. All these virtues can be drawn back to knowledge. Justice can be achieved after understanding what is good and what is evil. The search for happiness can be done from good deeds but not evil. In fact, evil will results to the opposite of happiness. So when evil does not exist happiness will prevail (Augustine 50). This can be supported by observing an ill person go to seek medical attention from the caregivers. When compared with a man who never gets sick, it is obvious that an ailment free person is always happy than a treated man. Then basing on this comparison Socrates argues that the cure for the crime (evil) is punishment and justice enforces that punishment. In this relation, the ill free person is happier than the treated person (Lyons 37). So the person, who never did wrong, will always be happy while the wrong doer gets the punishment for his misdeeds. Then he identifies the next person who lives an evil life and does not recognize the punishment. This person is similar to a child who avoids medicine to cure his or her illness which is justice (Augustine 56). Later on the child acquires blindness due to ignorance. This child is the same as the person who commits evil and avoids getting punishment. The same behavior may continue which in turn prolongs the punishment and suffering (Dockendorf 46). Socrates proposes that t here is no need of living with unjust souls. The just souls are more important than all the possessions of the earth. He also proposes that if any person realizes that he has committed evil, he should run to the judge and get justice. If he waits for any longer, then he will be increasing the length of suffering. So it is better treating the illness earlier than later, because it would not be chronic then. According to Socrates, it is good to do just to friends when they are good to us. Then we should harm the enemies when they do evil to us. He identifies that doing evil is harmful than receiving evil or harm (Augustine 58). Doing justice may be internal; on the contrary, doing harm is unjust while a just man will never harm another. In conclusion, Socrates means that no person should harm another because it is more important to live a just life. In his view, a just soul of a poor person is far much better than a rich man’s soul who got his wealth through unjust means.Advert ising We will write a custom report sample on Justice for Socrates and Augustine specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Saint Augustine was a God fearing person who lived in the Roman Empire. As a man of God, he worked hard to fulfill the requirements of His creator. The most prominent of these requirements was providing justice for all people (Augustine 60). This was to set a good example for the forth coming generations to follow the correct footsteps. In his live Augustine had a soul that sought the will of God so as to live that was full true human character. In his opinion, he defined justice in the concepts of desire and the will of God (Dockendorf 49). He imagined of an anthropology which gave God a central and primary influence. So he could not foresee true justice lacking the essential element of God (Augustine 64). He gives us his discussion of justice and a society that is just through the City of God in Greek Language. Augustin e makes use of the Bible quoting from different books in justifying his opinions. For example, he quotes from Habakkuk that a just person is comparable to the justice of God who controls his obedient city in respect of his own grace. Form these, it tells us that a just person will always live by his Christian faith (Lyons 39). In Augustine’s view, this should be like that faith which is lively in Christian love. This love should be the love of God alone then the love for neighbors’ just like him or herself. Justice can also be seen as the respect of God through following the rule of love from the Bible. The just individual (par excellence) is an individual whose faith results from the (caritas) which is love of God and others (Lyons 47). In the City of God peoples, relationship to justice is just secondary sense in Augustine’s view justice is mainly about God. To be more precise in occasions where God does not receive His due then He has been subjected to injust ice. Justice starts and ends with Christian adoration, devotion and the love of God. In respect of God, there can be no justice without Christ (Augustine 70). The reason behind this is that Jesus Christ lived without sin, and He is truly the only just man who is a measure of justice. Augustine did not restrict himself on spiritual mediation alone. He performed the role of a magistrate by himself (Dockendorf 56). Whenever there was a conflict, he reasoned out transforming much deeper wisdom, from the Bible and Christ (Augustine 78). He applied a good example of the woman who committed adultery and Jesus told her to go and never sin any more. This is to signify that God has justice for everybody but does not give anybody chance to continue sinning.Advertising Looking for report on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Justice as defined by both Socrates and Augustine point towards the same direction although from different perspectives. According to Socrates justice is good as seen by a person and evil as understood by the person. To be able to identify good and evil one requires knowledge (Dockendorf 66). This knowledge helps one to see if good verify evil or good. He proposes that if one realizes that he has done evil he should run for justice (punishment) (Lyons 59). The highest person who gives punishment is the Judge, from Socrates point of view. Socrates states that justice should not wait; it should be done immediately to avoid increasing the suffering (Augustine 75). St. Augustine, on the other hand, believes that Jesus Christ is the only just man and justice prevails when a society relies on God. Justice comes through faith and love for oneself and others. The highest person as regarded by ST. Augustine is only God. Justice can never prevail without God in the midst (Lyons 70). In all th e definitions of justice, we find that human being is obviously just to others. For justice to prevail, it requires that all people must keep to their correct sides, and whenever one makes a mistake he should seek justice. Dockendorf, Luc. Socrates,Virginia. West Virginia University, 1996. Print Lyons, David. Ethics and the Rule of Law, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989. Print St. Augustine. Confessions IV. New York: Long Horn publishers, 2008. Print

Yoohoo! A Theatre Warm-up

Yoohoo! A Theatre Warm-up This theatre game is an energizing warm-up for use in Theatre Class or with any group that could use a shift in energy! Theatre Skills Taking Cues, Cooperation, Cooperative Movement, Ensemble Playing, Remaining Frozen and Silent Materials Reproduce a copy of the list of cues provided below. Directions/Modeling the Process Ask all participants to stand in an open area and then teach them the following lines: Leader: Yoo-hoo! Group: Yoo-hoo who? Leader: You who†¦ Explain that you as the leader will cue them with words that suggest movements or characters and movements, like this: Leader: You who sneak like thieves. Then the whole group rhythmically repeats the last word in a whisper six times as they move as indicated and then say â€Å"Freeze† and freeze in place: Group: â€Å"Thieves, thieves, thieves, thieves, thieves, thieves, freeze!† The leader then cues the next movement: Leader: Yoo-hoo! Group: Yoo-hoo who? Leader: You who jump with ropes. Group: Ropes, ropes, ropes, ropes, ropes, ropes, freeze! Practice Do a few practice rounds until the participants get the call-and-response lines down and move in rhythm, freezing at the appropriate place: Leader: Yoo-hoo!Group: Yoo-hoo who?Leader: You who move like robots.Group: Robots, robots, robots, robots, robots, robots, freeze!Leader: Yoo-hoo!Group: Yoo-hoo who?Leader: You who style hair.Group: Hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, freeze! Teaching Tips It is best if this warm-up can maintain a rhythm in both speech and movements so that it moves quickly. This is why the â€Å"whisper† and â€Å"freeze† aspects of the activity are important. The whispering of the final word in the cue will help to control the noise level. The â€Å"freeze† at the end of each movement section will stop the previous action and prepare participants to listen for a new cue. Having a copy of the list of cues is important so that the leader does not have to think up movement ideas on the spot. Of course, this list can be increased with new ideas, but here is a set of cues to start with: List of Cues You who†¦ †¦bloom like flowers. †¦crawl like babies. †¦sway like palm trees. †¦splash like waves. †¦soar like birds. †¦move like boxers. †¦dance ballet. †¦swirl like tornadoes. †¦walk on tightropes. †¦move like toddlers. †¦swim through water. †¦move like a sharks. †¦play basketball. †¦float like clouds. †¦practice yoga. †¦move like monkeys. †¦dance the hula. †¦figure skate. †¦perform surgery. †¦ski down mountains. †¦run in races. †¦bake a cake. †¦conduct an orchestra. †¦walk like brides. †¦sing in operas. †¦move like royalty. †¦wait on tables. †¦do gymnastics. †¦lift weights. †¦clean houses. †¦row boats. †¦ride horses. †¦paint nails. †¦ride skateboards. †¦wear high heels. †¦drive race cars. †¦ride a bike. †¦play hop scotch. †¦paint a house. †¦walk in mud. †¦reach and stretch. †¦rush to class. †¦taste new food. †¦water ski. †¦take selfies. †¦dance at parties. †¦lead the cheers. †¦throw the ball. †¦sing too loud. †¦take big steps. †¦gaze at stars. Using the Warm-Up in Connection with Curriculum Once the participants understand the format of this theatre game, you can adjust it to apply to an area of study. For example, if you are reading Macbeth, your cues could be: You who†¦ †¦prophesize. †¦long for power. †¦plan and plot. †¦murder kings. †¦see a ghost. †¦rub out spots. Add new cues and save them for future uses of this warm-up. And if you like Yoohoo, you might also like Circle Tableau Game.

How did the events and ideas in your primary source reading reflect Essay

How did the events and ideas in your primary source reading reflect broader changes in American history for this period - Essay Example African Americans wanted to become autonomous. This autonomy would be achieved if an Africa free of White domination was achieved. Africans had to be liberated from colonization. This notion was demonstrated in the speech of Marcus Garvey in the Second International Convention of Negroes held at Liberty Hall, New York (Garvey, 1921). The speech centrally suggested that Africans should fight for freedom even if it will cost their lives. This reflects the broader changes in American History because African Americans were becoming disillusioned due to segregation, racial discrimination and racial violence; and they were ready to fight for their liberty. In the early 20th century, there was a general wave of calls for the liberty of African Americans that led to the formation of Universal Negro Improvement Association and the African Communities League. The founder of the association was Marcus Garvey. It was based on the belief of respect of human rights and supremacy of God almighty. At the period when the organisation was formed, African Americans were suffering from the injustice committed by the Whites. In Africa, African states were colonized. Europeans had sliced their land and divided among themselves (Fredrickson, 1995). Africans were forced to surrender their wealth to aliens, and to make things worse, they were forced to work for the Whites in the same lands that belonged to them before they were taken away. In United States, African Americans were still enslaved, segregated and discriminated. In United States, like in Africa, Black people were not accorded equal treatment with whites. They were not allowed in hotels and inns in the same extent as their white counterparts (Fredrickson, 1995). As a result of this, African Americans were determined to fight for their liberty. Southern parts of USA experienced high levels of African-American segregations in public places. The Jim Crow compelled

Joseph Nyes Rise of Chana and American Power Coursework

Joseph Nyes Rise of Chana and American Power - Coursework Example In brief, the good relationship dipped since the people of China perceived the recession as a decline of USA and their subsequent rise therefore they ascended to super power position. Absolute decline refers to a situation where there is decay or complete exhaustion while relative decline in its part is where the resources present in another country are used more efficiently and effectively. He mentioned that Asia and China in the past housed close to 70% of world population thereby contributing to the market. In recent years, most of the world population still live in Asia and China yet approximately 20% of world products come from Asia. Thus, it is a return because Asia and China seeks to meet its past contribution to the market by balancing it population and ability. He mentions that too little power like calories is wrong since t can make one to expire or perish. On the other hand, too much power does not represent goodness just like calories in human

Performance Management Essay Example for Free

Performance Management Essay 1. Summarize the seven (7) components of the framework for coaching and performances management, and identify which ones you require development in and why. The seven components of the frame work for coaching and performance management are the coaching relationship\, insight, motivation, capabilities, real-world practice, accountability, and organizational context. The first and most important step in the performance management process is to communicate what is expected. The should also be identifications of any job related learning needs and possible ways to address these needs. There also needs to be a performance review periodically to make sure that job expectations are relevant and appropriate and revise them if needed. Managers are encouraged to do this jointly with their employees which observing and documenting their performance. Throughout the performance management cycle, you should observe your employees’ performance and identify instances of both good and poor performance. Specific events and details are important for employees to clearly understand the impact, results, and consequences of their performance. Thorough documentation will enable you to recognize good performance and help you to correct poor performance. Provide feedback you should provide frequent feedback and coaching to your employees regarding performance throughout the year. This is especially important for the employee who is performing poorly. To be effective, feedback needs to be immediate, specific, and expressed in relation to a particular outcome and expectation. Deal With Performance That Does Not Meet Expectations. You may wish to enlist the support of your manager. He/she can give you the benefit of his or her experience and provide input and support before proceeding. Also, you can use the services of your Human Resources or Labor Relations Components especially if you are contemplating disciplinary action. They will provide the procedural and regulatory guidance as well as assistance in looking at alternatives and providing resources, intervention strategies, and other support.† (Public service commission) 2. Evaluate the validity of each of the reasons provided for failure in performance management. The reasons provided for failure in performance management versus performance appraisal discipline gap, accountability, measurement scarcity or overload, lack of balance and failure to assess impact. â€Å"There are two primary purposes of performance appraisal: evaluative and developmental. The evaluative purpose is intended to inform people of their performance standing. The collected performance data are frequently used to reward high performance and to punish poor performance.† (Smither, 2009) The developmental purpose is intended to identify problems in employees performing the assigned task. The collected performance data are used to provide necessary skill training or professional development. â€Å"The purpose of performance appraisal must be clearly communicated both to raters and rates, because their reactions to the appraisal process are significantly different depending on the intended purpose. Failure to inform about the purpose or misleading information about the purpose may result in inaccurate and biased appraisal reports.† (Cascio, 1998) 3. Identify two (2) of the barriers of success that are evident in preventing successful execution of performance management in a company you know well and recommend a solution to the problems. If you have not worked with or for a company that evaluates employee performance through performance management, imagine what the problems would be based on your knowledge of the company. Be sure to provide your rationale. Future scenarios allow organizations to explore multiple potential futures and generate robust strategies and early warning signs to understand how the future is unfolding. Where a vision articulates a â€Å"preferred future,† future scenarios describe how an organization might achieve its mission in different circumstances or environments. Organizations identify a focal issue or major decision the organization faces and the critical uncertainties in the macro environment, such as social, economic, political, environmental, and technical forces. Scenarios are developed based on combinations of these forces and robust strategies are identified to address multiple futures. Finally, indicators are identified to help understand how the future is affecting the organization’s decisions. In-order to fully understand the rationale past, present, and future analysis would have to be done on different work environments in-order to generally process the full computation of how and HR performance management society would work to stay in constant communication with the employee’s skill set.

Role of Women in Othello Essay -- Othello essays

Role of Women in Othello  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   In William Shakespeare’s tragic drama Othello, the wife of the protagonist, Desdemona, is the main female character. Secondly, there is the ancient’s wife, Emilia, who is morally ambivalent. Thirdly, there is the girlfriend of Michael Cassio, Bianca, who makes her appearance later in the drama. This essay will analyze the roles of these three women.    At the outset of the play Iago persuades the rejected suitor of Desdemona, Roderigo, to accompany him to the home of Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, in the middle of the night. Once there the two awaken the senator with loud shouts about his daughter’s elopement with Othello. This is the initial reference to the role of women in the play – the role of wife. In response to the noise and Iago’s vulgar descriptions of Desdemona’s involvement with the general, Brabantio arises from bed. Iago’s bawdy references to the senator’s daughter present a second role of women – that of illicit lover. With Roderigo’s help, he gathers a search party to go and find Desdemona and bring her home. The father’s attitude is that life without his Desdemona will be much worse than before:    It is too true an evil: gone she is;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   And what's to come of my despised time   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Is nought but bitterness. (1.1)    Here is seen another role or function of women in the drama – that of comforter for the aged. Brabantio is the old father, and he hates to lose the comforting services of his Desdemona. The daughter’s husband Othello expresses his sentiments to Iago regarding his relationship with the senator’s daughter, saying    that I love the gentle Desdemona,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I would not my unhoused free condition   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Put into circumscriptio... ...y true!† and accuses him of lying:      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   You told a lie, an odious, damned lie;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   She false with Cassio! (5.2)    Then she accuses him of causing murder: â€Å"And your reports have set the murder on.† Emilia’s stunning interrogation and conviction of her own husband as the evil mastermind behind the crime results in Iago’s killing her. Despondent Othello, grief-stricken by remorse for the tragic mistake he has made, stabs himself and dies on the bed next to his wife.    Thus it is seen that the roles of women are many and varied – and are key to the successful development of the story.    WORKS CITED    Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.