For this book, it might not be a bad idea to substitute nature for culture. This is because art and aesthetic pleasure in Heart of a Samurai come from a deep appreciation and bond with nature and its rhythms. But it's not like the characters are a bunch of grungy tree-huggers. Instead, the book offers up a stereotypical view of Japanese aesthetics: an observation of and appreciation for fine, natural details. To this end, the things that are beautiful and cultured in this book tend to be small and/or subtle.
Questions About Art and Culture
- Why is there such a focus on beauty in Manjiro's everyday scenery?
- Does culture come from nature or can you have culture without nature?
- What is the relationship between money and culture? Money and art?
- Who is considered cultured in this book and why?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Good artists need to have a fine-tuned relationship with nature.
This book argues that the Japanese approach to daily life and culture is way more beautiful than the American approach to daily life.