Any good topics on historical Japan for a research paper?

Interesting and fun would be nice.

Any good topics on historical Japan for a research paper?
You could do prominent women in Japanese history, pick one that was a court lady, empress, or warrior. Yes, warrior, there were several that disguised themselves as men etc.





The development of the Shinto religion, who started it, why, etc.





My favorite would be to Miyamoto Musashi, the famous samurai. fact or fiction.





Or you can do something about the Yakuza if you can find it. How women were involved in running the organizations? If any.





The class structure of the Japanese society up to the 1500's and the changes that occurred after the rise of the Shogun.
Reply:Just glad I could help a little. Good luck on your paper. I hope you can find something on it. Report Abuse

Reply:Samurai are pretty interesting.
Reply:Japanese history itself is interesting. BUt it ain't fun, no. Like the history of all countries, it is more dark than bright.


But here are some things I would point out as interesting:





Himiko/Pimiko- mysterious woman,considered to be first Japanese empress, but still her status and existence are much questioned.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himiko





Who was Emperor Jinmu? Some say the first known Japanese emperor is actually Korean. It takes much bravery to take this topic...





Toyotomi Hideyoshi-an American dream in Japanese version. From poor peasant Hideyoshi rises to Emperor's regent.


http://www.samurai-archives.com/hideyosh...





You can take also the Onmyo-do( Yin-Yang magic)which has been very popular but still it is not studied enough. Yet it has huge influence in the life of the ordinary Japanese.





Another thing that might be interesting for a non-Japanese, would be the first contacts between Japan and Europe, and especially the impressions of Louis Frois on it.


http://home.planet.nl/~d.v.ooijen/sashim...





You can look also for the first marriages between Japanese and European/American. Like for example Lafcadio Hearn who married a Japanese girl in 1890.
Reply:You can do something on Iwoshima Island.
Reply:Refer to this blog !
Reply:Ancient Imperial Court in Heian period.


There was a author of world oldest surviving novel,Lady Murasaki.





But this is so famous,if you want more uniqe topics,you should reffer to the culture of the Tokugawa shogunate that is the last one of the three shogunates.i.e.Edo period.


There are many interesting episodes.





Laws which banned killing of almost all creatures.


Syo-rui awaremi no rei.





Japanese mathematics by Seki Takakazu(Seki Kowa) and his group.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seki_K%C5%8...





The map of Japan by Ino Tadataka.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In%C5%8D_Ta...


http://www.gsi.go.jp/MAP/KOTIZU/sisak/in...





Ukiyo-e paint art.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukiyo-e





Ejima-Ikushima affair,a big scandal.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ejima-Ikush...





Oiran,High class courtesans.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oiran





Anarchistic,communistic and Ecological thought by phirosopher Ando shoeki.





and there are so many on in this period.