When we discuss endogenous development of developing countries, environmental education based on livelihood aspects and gender perspectives are decisive factors. In rural villages of developing countries such as Nepal, people are heavily dependent on the forest for daily life. The forest is the most important source of resources vital to the household economy. Women are responsible for forest conservation. In their hands lie many decisions about the use of natural resources. Despite that, the roles of women are not recognized properly because of the lower social status and domination of women. However, the current environmental education model in developing countries mainly focuses on the natural environment and lacks a particular focus on livelihood aspects and gender perspectives. There is a limitation to solve the environmental problems and social problems that affect development of the country. Therefore, this research incorporates environmental education focus on gender perspectives in Nepal, which helps to assume the important factor of endogenous development.

View full abstract

＜Introduction＞ One Newar tradition related festival of the monastery is the Itilhane Samyak Mahadana, which is also known as Dipankara Parva, observed once in every five years. This festival is an outstanding practice of charity. During the festival large images of Buddhist goddess (Dipankara Buddha, Avalokitesvra, Basundhara, Arya tara) display at Nagbahal, and offerings are made to goddess by Shakya and Bajracharya monks as per the Newar tradition, which is the main attraction of the festival. The festival brings across widespread Newar people with any occupation and races together to celebrate being one. Literally, Samyak means to perform the art of charity in an unconditional manner with a clear mind. There is mention of three types of Bodhijnana in Buddhist text that is Sravaka Bodhi, Pratyeka Bodhi and Samyak Bodhi. Among these, “Samyak” represents absoluteness and “Bodhi” characterizes the supreme knowledge of Buddhist. Hence, the festival is a path of a Bodhisattva that leads toward the attainment of Samyak Sambodhi.

View full abstract

The twelve wooden statues of Tomyoji in Futtsu City are a typical example of the twelve heavenly generals called “Okura Yakushidostyle” which was spread around Kamakura area. “Okura Yakushido-style” was inevented at Okura Yakushido, which was founded by Hojo Yoshitoki (the seconde regent of Kamakura Shogunate), to illustrate the tale called “Inugami Reikentan (miraculous effect of Dog God)” written in “Azuma Kagami”. Considering the time when “Inugami Reikentan” tale was established and comparing with other examples of the twelve statues of “Okura Yakushido-style”, it can be estimated that the statues of Tomyoji is the earliest existing statues, created in the middle to the latter half of the 13th century. The sponsor of statues is seems to be Samurai Amou family belongs to samurai group of the Kazusa family who ruled the area from the latter half of the Heian era. The twelve heavenly generals are worship as a god in India but those statues are even more prosperous in practice with the Zodiac in Japan. “Okura Yakushido-style”, who focused on dog, should be called one of the last version of the faith of Twelve heavenly generals who widely spread in eastern Asia.

View full abstract

I am involved in the ink painting of Ilsan and the history of Zen Buddhism, and I thought it would be possible to make some suggestions based on the influence that Ilsan had on Japan in terms of the more three-dimensional image of Ilsan and the history of Japanese Zen Buddhism as a whole. The propose of this research is to create a chronology and a list of the ink paintings of Ilsan, and future tasks include the connection with the history of Japanese Zen Buddhism, the kind of people Ilsan was associated with, and how this is reflected in the ink works. I also hope to eventually be able to study the calligraphy of Ilsan's calligraphy. The following may be considered the most basic historical material for understanding the conduct of Ilsan Ilnyeong (1247-1317). As far as we know from research to date, there are more than 90 types of traditional Issan Ichinnei calligraphy. We designate them, create an easy-to-understand list of ink works that shows the period, age, collection, shape, legal quantity, quality, and source. Based on this list, we also include each ink work that does not have a chronology. We are currently working on incorporating the ink paintings that are currently available. This time, I would like to introduce Ilsan's calligraphy in chronological order.

View full abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore the idea of Mr. Taut by focusing on the “Taut’s Bamboo weaving” craft created in Takasaki City when Mr. Bruno Taut came to Japan in the early Showa period. Taut's philosophy is clarified by understanding it from the remaining “Taut’s Bamboo weaving” crafts, designs, surveys with related parties, etc. Firstly, clarify the situation in Takasaki city when Mr. Taut was invited. Then, follow the contents such as Takasaki's craft movement and “Taut’s Bamboo weaving”, innovation of “Taut’s Bamboo weaving”, the regional craft movement aiming for Takasaki's Bauhaus, the relationship between the climate of Japan and “Taut’s Bamboo weaving”, etc. in the other of scooping. The subject of this research is to clarify the deepening of the philosophy through “Taut’s Bamboo weaving” by understanding the Taut's admire for Asia as well as Japanese culture after he came to Japan. At last, we would like to thank the Gunma Prefectural Museum of History, Mr. Tatsuaki Tanaka, other researchers of Taut for their cooperation in this research.

View full abstract

＜Research Note＞ From the study, I got to know that the pottery object which looks like an Inca Aztec warrior was an oriental relic and excavation from the Korean Peninsula. Many similar relics have been excavated from the Silla burial mound in the eastern part of the peninsula during three Kingdoms period of Korea (5th century). In 668 CE, the powerful country Gyeongju destroyed by the allied forces of the Tang and Silla, and Silla unified the Korean peninsula. It said that this pottery object was made during the unified Silla, and was used as a jug to pour water during religious ceremonies. Similar relics are in the National Museum of Korea (registered as National Treasure No. 91) and Gyeongju Museum in South Korea. The object has a unicorn on the horse's head, and a warrior straddling the saddle is stepping on the stirrup. The long spout is on the horse chest with a harness for pouring water, and horse bells on the left and right side. Funnel for filling the vessel is behind the rider. When you pour water from funnel, it comes out of the long spout. It seems that through preying the dead soul is watering to lead it to heaven.

View full abstract

＜Research Note＞ When I traveled to Korea around 10 years ago, I found old-fashioned private houses in the countryside though in the cities such as Seoul have full of modern buildings like in Japan. We can have chance to know about rural culture by visiting folk villages and have chance to learn the attitude of preserving traditional culture from Korea. This kind of issue we Japanese need to consider seriously. Unfortunately, we have accepted that rapid urbanization and dehumanization caused the loss of ego and oblivion of tradition in these days. In addition, as a result of indiscriminately accepting foreign cultures, cities and villages became places where tradition and modernity, original culture and foreign culture coexist. Under these circumstances, voluntary activities to protect the history and culture of each country are needed. Even one private house has a shape of culture inherited from its own nature and climate. The establishment of authentic culture is a requirement of modern era and must be our spiritual pillar. Through the sketches of the private houses of Korea, I was able to realize the ideal state of rural culture and its importance.

View full abstract