Question
¥15. When was this period? 16. What was the most significant invention of this time and why? 17. What did this lead to a renewed interest in? 18. During this period , what were unexplained events blamed on? 19. Why were people of this period superstitious? https://wellcomecollection org/articles/W-MM-xUAAAinxgS3 20. What were the four humours and what were they associated with?
Solution
4.1
(234 Votes)
Howard
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
Let's explore the fascinating time period hinted at by the currency symbol "¥" (Yen) and the questions provided. The questions strongly suggest we're talking about pre-modern Japan, specifically the Edo period.15. **When was this period?** The Edo period lasted from 1603 to 1868.16. **What was the most significant invention of this time and why?** Pinpointing *one* most significant invention is difficult, as the Edo period saw advancements in various fields. However, the development of **woodblock printing** (specifically color printing, *nishiki-e*) had a profound impact. It democratized art and literature, making books and images accessible to a wider population, fostering literacy and a vibrant popular culture. This also led to the flourishing of *ukiyo-e*, a genre of art depicting the "floating world" of everyday life, entertainment, and landscapes.17. **What did this lead to a renewed interest in?** Woodblock printing and the wider availability of books led to a renewed interest in **literature, poetry, and drama**. It also spurred interest in travel and different regions of Japan, as depicted in landscape prints.18. **During this period, what were unexplained events blamed on?** During the Edo period, unexplained events were often attributed to **supernatural forces**, such as *yokai* (monsters, spirits, and demons), ghosts, and angry deities. Natural disasters were often seen as divine punishment.19. **Why were people of this period superstitious?** Several factors contributed to superstition in Edo-era Japan. Limited scientific understanding of the natural world, combined with a strong belief in the spirit world and Buddhist/Shinto religious traditions that incorporated supernatural elements, fostered a belief in the unseen and the power of rituals and charms. The relative isolation of Japan also contributed to the preservation of traditional beliefs.20. **What were the four humours and what were they associated with?** While the four humours theory was primarily a Western medical concept, it's important to note that Edo-period Japanese medicine was influenced by both traditional Chinese medicine and, to a lesser extent, Western ideas that filtered in through limited trade. The four humours, as understood in Western medicine, were:* **Blood:** Associated with a sanguine temperament (courageous, hopeful, amorous).* **Phlegm:** Associated with a phlegmatic temperament (calm, unemotional).* **Yellow Bile:** Associated with a choleric temperament (easily angered, bad-tempered).* **Black Bile:** Associated with a melancholic temperament (sad, pensive).These humours were believed to be linked to personality and health. An imbalance in the humours was thought to cause illness. While Japanese medicine had its own system of understanding the body and illness, the concept of balance and harmony within the body resonated with some aspects of traditional East Asian medical philosophy.