Orientalism

Orientalism is the study of Near and Far Eastern societies and cultures by Westerners. It can also refer to the imitation or depiction of aspects of Eastern cultures in the West by writers, designers and artists.

A mirror image: Eastern views of the West

In an enlightening contrast, many of the essentially dismissive and patronizing concepts associated with Western "Orientalism" as expressed above are summed up— but in reverse orientation— in the epilogue to the "Chapter on the Western Regions" according to the Hou Hanshu. This is the official history of the Later (or "Eastern") Han Dynasty (25-221 CE). The book was compiled by Fan Ye, (died 445 CE), and it succinctly expresses the Han opinion of the Western Hu culture (in what is now western China):

Related Topics:
Hou Hanshu - Han Dynasty - Fan Ye - Hu

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:The Western Hu are far away.

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:They live in an outer zone.

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:Their countries' products are beautiful and precious,

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:But their character is debauched and frivolous.

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:They do not follow the rites of China.

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:Han has the canonical books.

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:They do not obey the Way of the Gods.

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:How pitiful!

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:How obstinate!

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Likewise, derogatory or stereotyped portrayals of Westerners appear in many works of Indian, Chinese and Japanese artists.

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In contrast, some Eastern artists adopted and adapted Western styles. The Indian painter Ravi Varma painted several works that are virtually indistinguishable from some Western Orientalist images. In the late 20th century many Western cultural themes and images began appearing in Asian art and culture, especially in Japan. English words and phrases are prominent in Japanese advertising and popular culture, and many Japanese animes are written around characters, settings, themes, and mythological figures derived from various Western cultural traditions.

Related Topics:
Ravi Varma - 20th century - Japan - English - Anime - Mythological

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Recently, the term Occidentalism has been coined to refer to negative views of the Western world sometimes found in Eastern societies today.

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