Fourteenth-century Japan witnessed a fundamental political and intellectual conflict about the nature of power and society; a conflict that was expressed through the rituals and institutions of two rival courts. Rather than understanding the collapse of Japan's first warrior government (the Kamakura bakufu) and the onset of a chaotic period of civil war as the manipulation of rival courts by powerful warrior factions; this study argues that the crucial ideological and intellectual conflict of the fourteenth century was between the conservative forces of ritual precedent and the ritual determinists steeped in Shingon Buddhism. Members of the monastic nobility who came to dominate the court used the language of Buddhist ritual; including incantations (mantras); gestures (mudras); and "cosmograms" (mandalas projected onto the geography of Japan) to uphold their bids for power. Sacred places that were ritual centers became the targets of military capture precisely because they were ritual centers. Ritual was not simply symbolic; rather; ritual became the orchestration; or actual dynamic; of power in itself. This study undermines the conventional wisdom that Zen ideals linked to the samurai were responsible for the manner in which power was conceptualized in medieval Japan; and instead argues that Shingon ritual specialists prolonged the conflict and enforced the new notion that loyal service trumped the merit of those who simply requested compensation for their acts. Ultimately; Shingon mimetic ideals enhanced warrior power and enabled Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu; rather than the reigning emperor; to assert sovereign authority in Japan.
#533172 in Books Opal J M 2017-06-01Original language:English 6.30 x 1.20 x 9.30l; #File Name: 0199751706352 pagesAvenging the People Andrew Jackson the Rule of Law and the American Nation
Review
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Read with an open mind; knowing it's biasedBy HortonThe first few chapters are dry but you see later on why they were needed. If you follow this; the book becomes much more interesting and thoughtful. I don't usually like books which are so biased but this one does force some deep thinking about Jackson; much of which is already known. Jackson was such a complicated man; and this book forces one to consider whether he was a product of his environment; which was the South/frontier/rural setting; or if he was just essentially evil; with some intriguing soft spots. It seems we have not made up our minds on what to do with Jackson. This book provides more thought on the subject. The author has a fairly dry tone but it is a good book. I read it with a questioning mind; as the book concludes that Jackson was a mean; racist man; without actually saying this. I recommend reading it just to see if you agree with it; keeping in mind from the start that this is not a "balanced" biography. Still; there are enough books out there about Jackson which sing his praises and skip over the nasty stuff; so this acts as a sort of balance.6 of 8 people found the following review helpful. A Shaky ThesisBy Andrew"Avenging the People: Andrew Jackson; the Rule of Law; and the American Nation" is a well intentioned; but eventually confused and over stretched book. It provides some illuminating details about the world Andrew Jackson matured in; but its central thesis is shaky to begin with; and by the end of the book completely falls apart.Opal's argument is essentially that Jackson personifies an American impulse of sacred vengeance; wrongs must be paid back with blood; and grudges and scores are never to be forgotten. Every decision Jackson takes boils back to this need to avenge wrongs - from his clashes with the Indians as a young man to his involvement in the War of 1812 to his policies as President. This impulse is necessarily extrajudicial - and this forms the other end of Opal's thesis - where Jackson exists in a grey area between law and vengeance. Jackson apparently takes inspiration for his revenge from certain understanding of the law (Opal describes this in the introduction); but often finds himself outside of the legal norms of proper society; where his brand of frontier vengeance has no place. These two supposed extremes - law and vengeance - provide the parameters that Opal sees Jackson and the frontier world he lives in.This thesis has many problems to begin with. First; tracing every decision of a complex; historical character as Andrew Jackson to an ambiguous emotion such as "revenge" is facile. It reduces Jackson and the frontier people of his community to one dimensional characters in a poor action movie. In the conclusion; President Jackson becomes Mel Gibson's William Wallace - a man seeking revenge for his dead wife instead of a politician with strong beliefs towards federal policies. When he isn't avenging a wrong; Opal's Jackson is an incredibly cynical figure; preying on the fears of the poor for political purposes and scooping up acres of land while rubbing his greedy fingers.By the end of the book; Opal's thesis completely falls apart. The law segment of the thesis disappears by the last third of the book; while being a main focus in its first few chapters. He tries his hand at explaining the rise of American political parties; Jackson's Indian policy and Bank War. The analysis is poor and adds nothing to the massive scholarship of these topics. In the ending chapters of the book; Opal seems to have bitten off more than he can chew; and repeatedly swerves out of his lane. At its end; the book seems to be more of an indictment of Jackson and his policies than a scholarly explanation of Jackson's personal formation - which I assumed was Opal's goal.However; there are some areas where this book shines. Opal's descriptions of the brutality of the early frontier in Tennessee and Kentucky are exceptional. His treatment of Jackson's early life is also well written and illuminating. One can sense how this violent; unpredictable world shaped Jackson into the man he was. Opal's unflinching look at the atrocities committed by Jackson is also needed and important. Jackson was a brutal militia leader; who committed war crimes and broke the law. Apologizing for him is not necessary; but boiling it down to a simple and ambiguous impulse like "revenge" undermines a historical figure's complexity.Overall; while there are some excellent scholarship here; JM Opal's "Andrew Jackson" is generally a poor book that adds few interesting titbits to the historiography.5 of 7 people found the following review helpful. An Important History of The Making of President Jackson and the NationBy CustomerThis is a wonderful read. It is meticulously researched; but with prose that flows comfortably and clearly. The book's focus is not as interested in Andrew Jackson's time as President (which it breezes through in a concluding chapter); but rather the events of the time that shaped the man. Additionally; while certainly focused on Jackson and his life; a detailed account is given to both the national and local history that was being played out at such an important time in the young Nation. This book is worth the purchase simply to be able to read the fifth chapter; entitled "The Hour of National Vengeance." It is an exciting; masterful retelling of Jackson as war general and his battle exploits. If you are a fan of either American History or Military History; this book is a must-have for your collection. Highly recommend.
