The History of the Ashikaga Shogunate

The History of the Ashikaga Shogunate Between 1336 and 1573, the Ashikaga Shogunate ruled Japan. However, it was not a strong central governing force, and in fact, the Ashikaga Bakufu witnessed the rise of powerful daimyo all around the country. These regional lords reigned over their domains with very little interference or influence from the shogun in Kyoto.   The Beginning of Ashikaga Rule The first century of Ashikaga rule is distinguished by a flowering of culture and the arts, including Noh drama, as well as the popularization of Zen Buddhism. By the later Ashikaga period, Japan had descended into the chaos of the Sengoku period, with different daimyo battling one another for territory and power in a century-long civil war. The roots of Ashikaga power go back even before the Kamakura period (1185 - 1334), which preceded the Ashikaga shogunate. During the Kamakura era, Japan was ruled by a branch of the ancient Taira clan, which lost the Genpei War (1180 - 1185) to the Minamoto clan, but managed to seize power anyway. The Ashikaga, in turn, was a branch of the Minamoto clan. In 1336, Ashikaga Takauji overthrew the Kamakura shogunate, in effect defeating the Taira once more and returning the Minamoto to power. Ashikaga got his chance in large part thanks to Kublai Khan, the Mongol emperor who founded the Yuan Dynasty in China. Kublai Khans two invasions of Japan, in 1274 and 1281, did not succeed thanks to the miracle of the kamikaze, but they did significantly weaken the Kamakura shogunate. Public dissatisfaction with Kamakura rule gave the Ashikaga clan its chance to overthrow the shogun  and seize power.   In 1336, Ashikaga Takauji established his own shogunate in Kyoto. The Ashikaga Shogunate is also sometimes known as the Muromachi shogunate  because the shoguns palace was in the Muromachi district of Kyoto. From the start, Ashikaga rule was bedeviled by controversy. A disagreement with the Emperor, Go-Daigo, about who would actually have power, led to the emperor being deposed in favor of the Emperor Komyo. Go-Daigo fled south and set up his own rival imperial court. The period between 1336 and 1392 is known as the Northern and Southern Courts era  because Japan had two emperors at the same time. In terms of international relations, the Ashikaga shoguns sent frequent diplomatic and trade missions to Joseon Korea, and also used the daimyo of Tsushima Island as an intermediary. Ashikaga letters were addressed to the king of Korea from the king of Japan, indicating an equal relationship. Japan also carried on an active trade relationship with Ming China, once the Mongol Yuan Dynasty was overthrown in 1368. Chinas Confucian distaste for trade dictated that they disguise the trade as tribute coming from Japan, in exchange for gifts from the Chinese emperor. Both Ashikaga Japan and Joseon Korea established this tributary relationship with Ming China. Japan also traded with Southeast Asia, sending copper, swords, and furs in exchange for exotic woods and spices. The Ashikaga Dynasty Overthrown At home, however, the Ashikaga shoguns were weak.  The clan did not have a large home domain of its own, so it lacked the wealth and power of the Kamakura or the later Tokugawa shoguns. The lasting influence of the Ashikaga era is in the arts and culture of Japan.   During this period, the samurai class enthusiastically embraced Zen Buddhism, which had been imported from China as early as the seventh century. The military elites developed an entire aesthetic based on Zen ideas about beauty, nature, simplicity, and utility. Arts including the tea ceremony, painting, garden design, architecture and interior design, floral arranging, poetry, and Noh theater all developed along Zen lines.   In 1467, the decade-long Onin War broke out. It soon escalated into a nation-wide civil war, with various daimyo fighting for the privilege of naming the next heir to the Ashikaga shogunal throne. Japan erupted into factional fighting; the imperial and shogunal capital of Kyoto burned. The Onin War marked the beginning of the Sengoku, a 100-year period of continual civil war and turmoil. The Ashikaga nominally held onto power until 1573, when warlord Oda Nobunaga overthrew the last shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki.  However, Ashikaga power really ended with the start of the Onin War.

Introduction of Thesis Dignity in Elderly Care Essay

Introduction of Thesis Dignity in Elderly Care - Essay Example experienced throughout the past years, as well as failure of will, which once engrained within the mentality and daily attitudes of the elderly, tends to persist till their very death. The media both local and foreign has depicted on diverse occasions, the scrupulous levels of neglect and abuse that the elderly may experience at times within the health care systems (Mark et al., 1998); while often there are also reports of direct killings of the elderly patients perpetuated by their caregivers (Wainwright, 2008). in this context, The World Health Organisation defines the term â€Å"Elder Abuse† act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person† (WHO, 2011). This abuse can take place in three different ways: psychological/ emotional abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse, and sexual abuse. The basic notions of human dignity were first conceived within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) that states in its preamble â€Å"Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world† (UNDHR, 1948). Based on this guiding principle, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union states in its first article, â€Å"human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected and protected,† thus, proclaiming that dignity in an integral part of all human existence, and human dignity must always be upheld. Article 3 of the Charter focuses on physical and mental integrity, whilst article 4 focuses on the protection against inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Article 25 focuses on â€Å"the right of the elderly to lead a life of dignity and... All forms of undertaken research work consist of a fixed procedure, which is made up of a series of varying enquiries on the selected issue/ problem that are systemic in nature. These systemic enquires enable the research scholar, to imbibe new knowledge on that particular theme. This thesis paper will comprise of both primary and secondary work, though the primary nature of the research work carried out in this paper is secondary research, defined as â€Å"analyzing [the] already collected data within another study† (Sarantakos, 2005, 297). Secondary researches generally involve a detailed study of all the available data, which is perceived as necessary, owing to the fact that often ‘a wealth of data’ that has been collected for various other non-research objectives, can also be used quite effectively to answer one’s questions in a research paper. Secondary research work generally creates a broader perspective for the concerned researcher to study and coll ect a large number of required data from various resources. The research process methodology as followed for this paper is based on the outline given by Graziano & Raulin, in their paper.

Pros of GMO Foods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Pros of GMO Foods - Essay Example pulation, massive 3rd world hunger, and with an estimation that a child dies for every two seconds world wide from starvation; this does not even take into account the number of people who are mal and undernourished, there is a great promise in the use of this technology to benefit not only the farmers, but also societies worldwide† (â€Å"Benefits of GM Food†). Even in the prosperous countries, the demand of food is more than the supply of natural food. This imparts a need to produce GMO foods. GMO foods’ bigger yields helps use the land more efficiently with less use of pesticides and herbicides. GMO foods’ flavor, nutritional value, and texture is better than that of their natural counterparts. GMO foods look larger in size and fuller in appearance and their colors are more vibrant and appealing to the eye compared to natural foods. The way a fruit or vegetable looks has a very important role in its usability in meals. People want to eat foods that look appealing and

Discuss the importance of ethics in business in light of the recent Assignment

Discuss the importance of ethics in business in light of the recent global financial crisis (GFC) - Assignment Example assessment item they should attach all supporting documentation to the completed Request for Extension form which is available from a Student Centre, the UWS website or from the ‘Support’ folder in the BAS vUWS site. Requests for extension must be submitted no later than three working days prior to the due date of the assessment task to Parramatta Campus, School of Marketing, Building ED (Reception) or Campbelltown Campus, School of Marketing Building 22A (Bev Booth). After that period, requests for extensions will not be accepted and students will need to apply for special consideration. If students need to apply for a special consideration, they should attach all supporting documentation to the completed Application for Special Consideration form which is available from the Student Centre, the UWS Website or from the ‘Support’ folder in the BAS vUWS site. Applications need to be submitted to the Student Centre at Parramatta or Campbelltown A student who submits a late assessment without approval for an extension of the due date will be penalised by 10 per cent per day up to 10 days, i.e. marks equal to 10 per cent of the assignment’s weight will be deducted as a ‘flat rate’ from the mark awarded. For example, the essay development assessment task that is worth 20 marks will have 2 marks deducted from the awarded mark for each late day including Saturdays and Sundays. Assessments will not be accepted after the marked assessment tasks have been returned to students who submitted the task on time. Linking different pieces of information in a structured manner is important. The simplest way to ensure that your work is structured in such a way is to prepare an essay plan before you start. Essay plans help with structuring by organising information so that each concept flows logically from the one preceding. An essay plan also can help you work out how you will answer a question and which information you will use. With regard to the recent economic

Mexican Drug Cartels Essay Example for Free

Mexican Drug Cartels Essay Several drug cartels are involved, such as: Sinaloa Cartel, Gulf Cartel, Juarez Cartel, Knights Templar Cartel, Tijuana Cartel, La Familia Cartel (disbanded), Los Zetas, Beltran-Leyva Cartel (disbanded), Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Independent Cartel of Acapulco, La Barredora. You could see them all as the bad guys. On the other team are the Mexican forces, consisting of the Army, Navy, Air force, the Federal police and other Mexican forces What are the sources of the conflict? What is it about? The main source of the conflict is power. All of the cartels wanted more power and money and they started fighting each other because of this. Another major cause of the conflict are the drug trafficking routes used by different cartels, the cartels want more power over each other’s routes. Relationships between/among conflicting parties? They were once all together in one massive cartel. But because of the decision of the leader of the cartel the ‘mother-cartel’ split up in many smaller cartels (See Dimension #1). What is the history of the conflict? The birth of all Mexican drug cartels is traced to former Mexican Judicial Federal Police agent Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo (The Godfather), who founded the Guadalajara Cartel in 1980 and controlled all illegal drug trade in Mexico and the trafficking corridors across the Mexico-USA border throughout the 1980s. He started off by smuggling marijuana and opium into the U. S. A. , and was the first Mexican drug chief to link up with Colombias cocaine cartels in the 1980s. Through his connections, Felix Gallardo became the point man for the Medellin cartel, which was run by Pablo Escobar. This was easily accomplished because Felix Gallardo had already established an infrastructure that stood ready to serve the Colombia-based traffickers. There were no cartels at that time in Mexico. Felix Gallardo was the lord of Mexican drug smugglers. He oversaw all operations; there was just him, his cronies, and the politicians who sold him protection. [59] However, the Guadalajara Cartel suffered a major blow in 1985 when the groups co-founder Rafael Caro Quintero was captured, and later convicted, for the murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena. 60][61] Felix Gallardo afterwards kept a low profile and in 1987 he moved with his family to Guadalajara. According to Peter Dale Scott, the Guadalajara Cartel prospered largely because it enjoyed the protection of the Direccion Federal de Seguridad (DFS), under its chief Miguel Nazar Haro, a CIA asset. The Godfather then decided to divide up the trade he controlled as it would be more efficient and less likely to be brought down in one law enforcement swoop. 63] In a way, he was privatizing the Mexican drug business while sending it back underground, to be run by bosses who were less well known or not yet known by the DEA. Gallardo convened the nations top drug traffickers at a house in the resort of Acapulco where he designated the plazas or territories. The process: how do we choose to deal with the conflict? We do not personally deal with this conflict. However, the US army helps the Mexican government at some points, since most of the drugs comes in via Mexico.

Analysing Heat Transfer And Insulation Engineering Essay

Analysing Heat Transfer And Insulation Engineering Essay When two bodies at different temperatures are placed near each other or they are kept in contact, heat flows from a body at a higher temperature to the body at lower temperature. The transfer of heat from one body to the other, or from one part of a body to the other part, can take place by three different processes-conduction, convection and radiation. The total transfer of heat form one body to other can be by one or more than one of the above three modes. Thermal or heat transfer thus takes place through: conduction-a process of transfer of energy due to the differences in the temperature, convection-is the up and down movement of gas and liquids, and radiation-a process by which energy directly passes from one body to another. Heat is transferred by the process of conduction when particles of the medium at different temperatures are in direct or indirect physical contact. Thus conduction is a process of transfer of heat from the hot end to the cold end, form particle to particle of the medium. The rate that an object transfers heat through conduction is called thermal conductivity. An object with low conductivity will transfer heat slower than an object with high conductivity. This is why some substances are used as insulators while others are used in applications such as cooking. In general, solids are better conductors of heat than are liquids and gases. Metals are the best thermal conductors while non-metal solids tend to be poor conductors. In building mechanism (structure of machine), thermal conduction plays a vital role. Thermal insulation  in buildings is an important factor to achieving  thermal comfort  for its occupants. Insulation reduces unwanted heat loss or gain and can decrease the energy demands of  heating and cooling systems. Insulation can just refer to the  insulation materials  employed to slow heat loss, such as:  cellulose,  glass wool,  rock wool,  polystyrene,  urethane foam,  vermiculite (type of chemical insulation), and earth or soil. But it can also involve a range of designs and techniques to address the main modes of heat transfer conduction, radiation and convection materials. There are various ways through which heat escapes our homes. As our houses are built on cold soil or rocks, heat directly flows down into the Earth by conduction. Heat travels by conduction through the solid walls and roof of our houses. On the outside, the outer walls and the roof tiles are hotter than the atmosphere around them, so the cold air near to them heats up and flows away by convection. Heaters use fuels and air conditioners uses lots of electricity, which is why insulation is used. Insulation makes the house comfortable and keeps the temperature of house cool in summers and warm in winters. It is very useful to keep the temperature of the house independent from outside temperature. How much insulation a house should have depends on building design, climate, energy costs, budget, and personal preference. In cold regions, most houses use insulation. Most of the homes are fitted with cavity wall with two layers of brick or block between the inner rooms and the outer atmosphere and an air gap between the walls. The air gap reduces heat losses from the walls by both conduction and  convection: conduction, because theres relatively little air between the walls and its sealed in, so convection currents cant really circulate. The best way to insulate is to fill the air gap with expanding foam or other insulators. Cavity walls are often filled with loosely packed, air-filled materials such as vermiculite, shredded  recycled  paper, or  glass  fibers, it traps the heat and prevents it from escaping. Since warm air rises, plenty of heat escapes through the roof of the houses. Most people also have insulation inside the roof, also known as the loft area, of their homes. Loft insulation is generally made from the same materials as cavity-wall fillings-such things as rock wool and fiberglass. Wall and roof insulation cuts down on heat losses by conduction. Double-glazed windows have two panes of  glass  separated by a sealed air gap. The air stops heat losses by conduction, while the extra pane of glass reflects more light and heat radiation back into home and reduces heat losses. If a thin reflective metallic coating or made from special thermal glazing (such as Pilkington-K, which traps heat a bit like a greenhouse) is added to the windows, the heat loss will reduce further. Window insulation film  can be applied to reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. Pipe insulation  is also important in buildings for pipes that carry heated or cooled fluids.. In industry, energy has to be expended (extended) to raise, lower, or maintain the temperature of objects or process fluids. If these are not insulated, this increases the heat energy requirements of a process, and therefore the cost and environmental impact. In hot regions, the greatest source of heat is the solar radiation, which enters the buildings through windows, heat the building shell and causing the heat transfer to increase through the building envelope. Solar gain can be reduced by adequate shading from the sun,  light colored roofing, spectrally selective (heat-reflective) paints and coatings and various  types of insulation  for the rest of the envelope.   The graphs above represent a comparison study between the insulation capacity of Cellulose and Fiber glass. http://www.msgreenconstruction.com/uploads/images/cellulose-insulation-r-value.png Cellulose is basically glucose-tapped from recycled newspapers, magazines and cardboard which are treated with chemicals to produce an insulating material with varying properties. Fire resistant chemicals are added to cellulose to increase the efficacy*. Fiberglass is an artificial synthetic fiber that consists of calcium silicates, aluminum and other metals. There are various benefits consumers receive with the use of conduction and/or insulation systems in their houses. Some of the benefits include: It is energy-efficient It is cost-effective, durable Their uses doesnt cause any harm to the surrounding environment. It provides more uniform temperatures throughout the space. It has minimal recurring expense. Unlike heating and cooling equipment, insulation is permanent and does not require maintenance, upkeep, or adjustment. It absorbs noise and vibrations coming form both the outside and from other rooms inside the house, thus producing a more comfortable occupant environment Thermal insulation materials fixed on inside surface of the room walls prevent condensation on interior walls and ceiling. There are also limitations to the use of insulation systems, like the use of cellulose for insulation attracted many rodents to the house. . The main technical limitations of fiberglass matting as insulation are poor structural strength, poor compression (to shorten) resistance, permeability to moisture and a tendency to settle after installation if not properly installed. There are many areas in insulated houses which lack of sufficient insulation, like the corners of buildings, and areas where insulation has been removed or displaced to make room for system infrastructure. During rainy seasons, most of paints used to absorb or emit heat are washed away or gets dull, even metals rusts. Most of the above limitations are solved by science and technology. As the use of cellulose on wooden pipes and furniture attracts rodents, after many experiments they made cellulose which wont attract rodents. As paints gets dull or washed away with rain and metals rust, scientists have devised new un-washable paints and metals are coated with other substances that wont rust or wash away with rain water. Environment- In countries which experiences extremely harsh winters and hot summers, cane reed offers better insulation than brick. This keeps heating and cooling costs down, which translates into energy savings as well as cost savings for the family. It also contributes towards a reduction in the dependency on foreign solid fuel sources and reduces pollution. The cane reed used in the house construction is a locally produced, renewable resource. Harvested (grown) annually, reeds sustain life in ponds and lakes; their roots also stabilize the surrounding earth, preventing soil erosion. The use of the reeds also reduces dependence on, and misuse of, forests. Other building materials used in the process are sourced locally, including the pipes used in the under-floor heating system, which are produced locally by a partner company. The use of insulation even reduces the use of heaters and air conditioners, in turn saving fuel and reducing pollution. Economic- Buildings made of cane reeds area helps the local economy by employing a community labor force to harvest the reeds which are woven into the timber frame, as well as gathering the clay, sand and mud used to fortify the reed. In some cases, residents have been able to obtain permanent employment as a result of the training received during the construction process. The cane reed technology increases affordability as it offers a 40 per cent reduction in housing cost compared with conventional brick housing. Plans are currently underway for the development of a Building and Training Centre where all construction materials to be used in Habitat homes will be produced, further decreasing the costs to participating families. Social- As these buildings are easy to make every body in the family and community takes part in making it, they found a improved way of living as they are no longer required to gather firewood, wash dishes and clothes outside by hand and cook in a confined space. They have time and energy to pursue work outside the home, therefore helping to increase household income. The reduction in the use of solid fuels has also resulted in decreased levels of indoor air pollution and has consequently improved health, with a particular fall in respiratory illnesses.   Thus, an insulated home is comfortable as the temperature remains consistent over weather changes. It makes the house comfortable and keeps the temperature of house cool in summers and warm in winters. Effective use of insulation is necessary for each and every people who face harsh summers or winters. It helps them to stay warm and cozy in their homes, while contributing less to global warming and pollution. With the increase in the uses of insulation, the use of heater and air conditioning units will reduce. The use of fuels and other non-renewable sources will also be automatically reduced as this is a natural technique of absorbing or emitting heat. If the use of air conditioning units and heaters keeps on increasing, then there will be drastic effect on the climatic changes. To keep our surrounding safe as well as save natural resources for the upcoming generations, insulating our homes instead of using air conditioners, heaters, and other technologies which cause harm to the en vironment, is essential . Though insulation is expensive, its worth as its durable and doesnt have a recurring cost unlike other means.

John Grishams A Painted House Essay -- Essays Papers

John Grisham's A Painted House John Grisham’s book, ‘A Painted House’ places the reader within the walls of a simple home on the cotton fields of rural Arkansas. Within the first few pages, the author’s description of the setting quickly paints a picture of a hard working family and creates a shared concern with the reader about the family’s struggle to meet the basic needs of life. The description of the dusty roads, the unpainted board-sided house, the daily chore requirements and their lack of excess cause the reader a reaction of empathy for the family. Although the story takes place in a dusty setting very unfamiliar to most readers, the storyline is timeless and universal. Most everyone has a desire to meet the basic needs of life, embrace their family ties, and make others and ourselves proud. The crux of this book is that it does an excellent job in showing the reader through other’s examples and hardships to persevere and never give up. The title of the book, ‘A Painted House’ is based on the actual farmhouse in which the Chandler family resides. It was an old house. It was a fine house that had never been painted. For this particular family, paint - like eating meat with every meal - was a luxury. It was not a requirement to have a painted house. It was not a sign of laziness as the reader might initially expect. It was a sign of being frugal with money. In this bold example of persevering and never giving up, Mr. Grisham demonstrates to the reader that ’one can’t have everything’. The story is told through the eyes of seven year old Luke Chandler. Luke lives with his parents and grandparents on their rented farmland in the lowlands of Arkansas. It takes place during the harvest season for cotton in 1952. Like other cotton growers, these were hard times for the Chandlers. Their simple lives reached their zenith each year with the task of picking cotton. It’s more than any family can complete by themselves. In order to harvest the crops and get paid, the Chandlers must find cotton pickers to help get the crops to the cotton gin. In order to persevere, they must depend on others. They find two sets of migrant farm workers to assist them with their efforts: the Mexicans, and the Spruills - a family from the Arkansas hills that pick cotton for others each year. In reading the book, the reader learns quickly that l... ...ily is residing in the Chandler barn where the Mexicans first stayed. Luke and his parents are traveling to Michigan in order for Luke’s father can find a job in a automotive assembly plant, and Luke’s grandparents are staying at the old farmhouse with the hopes that the whole family will be back together soon. The hope from the reader is that all of the book’s characters will someday find true happiness. These folks work hard and our characters seem to deserve more than they currently have. Most readers can appreciate this feeling because it’s a feeling shared by everyone. In regards to the unpainted house: At the end of the book, only a corner of the house needs painting to be complete. It would have been very easy for our author to have completely finished in painting the house. However, that’s not what the premise nor the promise of the book contains. There is a big difference in completing a challenge, and being successful. Although life’s problems and challenges are never ending, the success in dealing with a challenge has more to do with the way it is done than in its completion. ‘The joy is certainly in the journey’ when reading the novel, ‘A Painted House’.