Asia Current Events: North Korea
Link: http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/world/asia/koreas-tensions
This article is about North Korea and the missiles threats as well as the war threats that North Korea has imposed on the world. In the article it describes how North Korea wants to be considered a world power because it carries potential nuclear weapons. These nuclear weapons haven't been confirmed but with many testing of their missile warheads they may become true, and turn into nuclear warheads. With the power of nuclear warheads under North Korean control, nations affected by North Korea's threats such as the US, Japan, and South Korea have stepped up their defenses and strategic plans. The President was also meeting with South Korean President, Park Geun-hye, in Washington to discuss these demands and plans for what to come on Tuesday.
This topic is also very similar to other nations and figures that we have learned during this term. North Korea's nuclear warhead and war threats on the world are similar to Russia's or the Soviet Union's nuclear warhead and war threats on the United States and vice versa. This topic is also related to nations during the Arab Spring and the terrorist groups that gain control of nuclear warheads and threaten to end certain areas of the world. North Korea's regime is also similar to the Assad Regime in Syria under President Bashar al-Assad but instead of rebels, military government, and terrorist groups we have a separation of a country North and South, whereas one is fighting to keep peace the other one led by Kim Jong Un is fighting to produce chaos in the world. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un is also similar to leaders of countries or groups that are radicals or those that have warheads and are prepared and wanting to use them to get what they want instead of through diplomacy such as Fidel Castro and Saddam Hussein, and other radical leaders.
This topic is also very similar to other nations and figures that we have learned during this term. North Korea's nuclear warhead and war threats on the world are similar to Russia's or the Soviet Union's nuclear warhead and war threats on the United States and vice versa. This topic is also related to nations during the Arab Spring and the terrorist groups that gain control of nuclear warheads and threaten to end certain areas of the world. North Korea's regime is also similar to the Assad Regime in Syria under President Bashar al-Assad but instead of rebels, military government, and terrorist groups we have a separation of a country North and South, whereas one is fighting to keep peace the other one led by Kim Jong Un is fighting to produce chaos in the world. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un is also similar to leaders of countries or groups that are radicals or those that have warheads and are prepared and wanting to use them to get what they want instead of through diplomacy such as Fidel Castro and Saddam Hussein, and other radical leaders.
Crossing the Pop Culture Universe: China
An example of popular culture in China that interests me is the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. The Chinese New Year is celebrated around the month of February every single year and this year is the year of the Snake. The animals are based on the Chinese calendar. An American equivalent of the Chinese New Year is the US New Year, which is celebrated every January 1st with a public countdown on December 31st of the previous year. Both the Chinese New Year and the US New Year are celebrated with big celebrations, such as fireworks and the countdown in the US and the dragon dance and money giving in China and various other countries in Asia that were once ruled or influenced by Chinese rulers, such as Vietnam and Indonesia.
PhotoBlog: China
Web Archaeology: Japan
Samurai Swords during the Tokugawa Period
Click image for link to site for primary source.
I could used this primary source to conduct research about the weapons used by Japanese soldiers and warriors over the years of the existence of the nation. Also, I could use it to support or improve an essay on how Japanese samurai weapons came to an end. The information on the three Japanese swords; daisho, katana, and wakizashi could be used to describe and show how Japanese Samurai used their weapons and how they came to have swords varying from different sizes and length. Also, it could show the difference between samurai swords and other swords in other countries and cultures such as the ones used by the Turkish Ottoman and Confederate soldiers.
This research could be also used to differentiate real, quality swords and fake and cheap, knockoff swords in various parts of the world. It could be used to decide which of the three swords used by samurai were most important or most needed. Also, it could as well as been used to show which of the three were most used and most expensive. Samurai swords could also be used to show how nations developed weapons throughout history, and how they improved or didn't improve sword making or weapons throughout time. Lastly, samurai swords are an important artifact in the history of the world, in that it tells us what were used as defense and weaponry in relations to what the knights in Europe or the warriors in the Turkish Ottoman Empire used as their form of weaponry and showmanship. The existing samurai swords are a lasting reminder of what craftsmanship, skill, determination, and showmanship were put into swords and other weaponry all over the world throughout time.
This research could be also used to differentiate real, quality swords and fake and cheap, knockoff swords in various parts of the world. It could be used to decide which of the three swords used by samurai were most important or most needed. Also, it could as well as been used to show which of the three were most used and most expensive. Samurai swords could also be used to show how nations developed weapons throughout history, and how they improved or didn't improve sword making or weapons throughout time. Lastly, samurai swords are an important artifact in the history of the world, in that it tells us what were used as defense and weaponry in relations to what the knights in Europe or the warriors in the Turkish Ottoman Empire used as their form of weaponry and showmanship. The existing samurai swords are a lasting reminder of what craftsmanship, skill, determination, and showmanship were put into swords and other weaponry all over the world throughout time.