Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Management and Leadership Skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Management and Leadership Skills - Essay Example Body Communication is a major part of all jobs. As such, most employers recruit employees who posses good interpersonal and communication skills. Personally, my communication skills are quite good. However, I have to admit that I am more adept at communicating through writing than I am at oral communication. In the job market, it is critical to be able to communicate both orally and in writing. This is because; while formal written communique may be used to keep record of business meetings transactions, oral communication is used in almost all other interactions in the workplace. In view of this, it is clear that I need to develop my oral communication communications skills so that I can be able to express my ideas and opinions orally. After all, since most job interviews are conducted orally, my ability to communicate orally could determine whether or not I get recruited by potential employers. In order for a manager to be effective in his work, his professional and personal ethics must be irrefutable. This is because; managers are required to rely on their professional and personal/moral code of conduct when making managerial decisions. An ethical code of conduct is often regarded as a guide of behavior and employers are likely to recruit employees whom they deem ethical. ... In both my personal and academic life, I have dealt with different changes at various points in my life. This has equipped me with skills that are necessary to be able to manage change. As such, I believe that if I was in a position of leadership, I would be able to manage any changes that are required in order for the organization to meet its goals and be successful. In order to be able to manage and lead people, one needs to have the ability to motivate others. This is because; In order for people to perform well, they need to be inspired and motivated to do so. Since different people are often motivated by different things, a good leader should be able to gather knowledge about the specific factors that can be used to motivate each of his team members and use this knowledge to his advantage. In the course of my academic training, I have been able to effectively provide leadership for several teams. My ability to motivate team members to commit to the overall goals of the team has been one of the key reasons for my success. My ability to motivate others is a skill that I have recently perfected and it would be very handy in the job market. Over time, I have been able to develop and hone my analytical and problem-solving skills. Initially, whenever I was faced with a problem in my academic and personal life, I was often inclined towards determining which solutions other people who had been faced with a similar problem used. However, I have gradually learnt to investigate any problems I encounter in a critical but logical manner in order to formulate solutions that are best suited to my specific problem. In the workplace, the ability to analyze and solve problems is
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Write your opinions about the character of Iago from Othello comparing Essay
Write your opinions about the character of Iago from Othello comparing with your own experiences or personality - Essay Example The same sentiments are common in our daily lives, people always make their own decisions by trying to come up with conclusion pertaining others. They tend to judge others on a negativity basis (Shakespeare 23). He has also capabilities of charming and persuading people, in expense for his trustworthy and loyalty. Though he had a desire to retaliate and revenge, despite of his lack in evidence. People tend to be hypocritical in their daily chore (Shakespeare 33). They behave differently from their real character. This is meant to blind fold others, not knowing what are the great traits in others personality. It is so hard to separate between real and fake individuals in life. He is also very glad to damage Desdemononas happiness in the process of revenging on Othello. Individuals full of jealously will always wish you drop below their levels, majority in working environment (Shakespeare 43). Although he is deeply rooted in unpleasant, he choose his intellect ability to lay a plan and convience others. This portrays great deception in his traits. Majority of politician tend to deploy a strategy, to lie and cheat on the people in the name of getting votes and their selfish desires (Shakespeare 27). Leadership especially in African perceptive is meant on empty promises. These are people who use deception language to persuade others in voting them. At the end lago believed he was going to be punished, though his fate was left in casinos hands. He left with his evils plans by standing on his violent and cunning
Thursday, January 30, 2020
The Reel And Real Orange City Essay Example for Free
The Reel And Real Orange City Essay Orange County in Southern California is one of the most popular counties in the United States. This is because of its economic development in the past fifty years. The county’s popularity can also be attributed to its representation in popular culture, especially the hit television drama, The O.C. In this light, this essay describes the â€Å"real†Orange County (its history, demographics, economy, and history) and the â€Å"reel†one, focusing on how it represents and stereotypes the people and values of Orange County. The objective of the essay is to answer whether the representation matched the reality. The pilot episode of the drama’s first season is considered in this essay.            Orange County was first known in the name of Vallejo de Santa, following the 1769 expedition of Gaspar de Portolà . In 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano became the first permanent European settlement in the area. In the 1860s, a severe drought devastated cattle ranching, the area’s prevailing industry. People began to migrate to Orange County in the 1880s, after the discovery of silver in the mountains of Santa Ana. Because of this development, on March 11, 1889, the California legislature divided Los Angeles County and created Orange County as a separate political entity. Orange County takes its name from the orange orchards that used to cover its 782 squares miles, running from the Santa Ana Mountains in the east, to the Pacific coastline in the west. Oil extraction, avocados, and other citrus crops were also important to the early economy of Orange County.            The recent history of Orange County typifies the post-war boom of Southern California. Fifty years ago, the county was devoted largely to citrus groves, bean fields, and oil wells. A growing number of outsiders, however, began to discover the clean air and pastoral landscape. Aerospace and defense contractorsSouthern Californias biggest manufacturing sector before 1989brought well-paid, well-educated young professionals in search of high-quality suburban housing. In more recent years, the countys growth industries have been computer-related businesses and biotechnology.            Orange County residents, many of them newcomers to Southern California, sparked a conservative revival that espoused a strong defense, a weak federal government, virulent anti-Communism, staunch nationalism, and unabashed celebration of laissez-faire capitalism. Conservative churches such as the Central Baptist Church, right-wing organizations such as the John Birch Society, and local newspapers such as the Orange County Register offered a forum where such values were codified into political action. These and other institutions that highlighted Orange Countys cultural landscape, including Disneyland, reflected and reinforced a burgeoning middle-class revolt that crystallized in the suburban spaces of Southern California.            Orange County is one of the most populous counties in the United States, with the 2005 Census Bureau estimating the population at more than 3 million. In 2000, there were 2.8 million people, 935 thousand households, and 668 thousand families residing in Orange County, making it the second most populous county in California. The county’s population density was estimated at 1,392/km ² or 3,606/mi ². In 2005, it was estimated that 48% of the total population were non-Latino white, the Latino population was about 32.5%, the Asian population comprised 15.9%, and African Americans constituted 1.9% of the population. In addition, 58.6% of the population spoke English, 25.3% spoke Spanish, 4.7% spoke Vietnamese, 1.9% were Korean, 1.5% were Chinese or Mandarin and 1.2% spoke Tagalog as their first language. There is also a diverse population in terms of age. Thirty-three percent of are within the age 25 and 44; 27% of the population are under the age of 18, 21% are aged 45 to 64, 9.9% are 65 years of age or older, and 9% of the population are aged 18 to 24. The median age is 33 years.            There were approximately 969,500 housing units at an average density of 474/km ² or 1,228/mi ². The county is also home of a population with a diverse racial makeup. Most of the households in Orange County are composed of married couples who live together. A significant number of households had children under the age of 18 living with them. According to the Census, 10.7% of the households in the county had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families.            Orange County is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. It has become a symbol of affluence around the country and around the globe. The median income for a household in the county is $61,899; the median income for a family is $75,700. By community, the median income for a household in Anaheim Hills is $120,852, Villa Park has $116,203, Tustin Foothills has $96,230, Irvine has $85,624, Newport Beach has $83,455. On the other extreme, the median income for a household in Santa Ana is $43,412, Seal Beach has $42,049, Stanton has $39,127, and Laguna Woods has $30,493. The per capita income for the county is $25,826. Approximately 10.3% of the Orange County population are below the poverty line.            Thus, given the widespread popularity of The O.C., it is interesting to look at how the above descriptions of Orange County are represented in the drama. The pilot episode of the first season begins with a dirty and unattractive Chino. Ryan is arrested for car theft and is set free because he is under 18. He is thrown out by his mother and is taken in by Sandy, a public defender to his comfortable home in Newport Beach. Here, Ryan is rescued from his â€Å"unacceptable life†in Chino and is taken to Orange County. Here, the differences between Chino and Orange County are highlighted. The color tone in the former is dark, suggesting the low socioeconomic status of the people living there; whereas Orange County is always sunny, implying the almost perfect condition of everyone.            The Orange County portrayed in the drama series is a sun-kissed paradise, where the teenage girls are slim and cellulite-free and the boys are toned and literally spotless. Even their parents have perfect white smiles set off against bronzed skin devoid of wrinkles. In fact, adolescent heartache and the odd family squabble aside, everything in Orange County is perfect. It is the sunshine Shangri-la where everyone is wealthy, the surf is always up, the sand stays pristine and the sea is nothing but deep blue.            So, one may ask: How real is The O.C.? Does it accurately or inaccurately represent Orange County? Does the representation match the reality? Well, in terms of the weather and climate, the drama accurately represents the Orange County. The local tourist board claims that it is sunny in Orange County more than 80% of the year. In addition, in terms of the representation of clothing, The O.C. matches the reality as shorts and revealing outfits are always in season.            Looking deeper, however, one can say that the reel Orange County is far from the real Orange County.            The drama really does not reflect anything about the Orange County. For many residents of the county, the show does not tell them anything valuable about where they are from. For them, it is just rich white people with pathetic problems, and that the bronzed, beauty-packed paradise depicted on the series is nothing more than a glamorous lie.            Moreover, it seems that Newport Beach, the setting for the series, is an isolated city. It is only about 15 minutes away from Santa, yet it appears in The O.C. that the two cities exist a continent away. Although the drama accurately depicts Newport Beach as a place of wealthy, conservative whites, it never ventures from this coastal community. With a population of only about 80 thousand, Newport Beach constitutes only three percent of Orange Countys population of three million. Although other Orange County neighborhoods (such as Anaheim Hills, Villa Park, Tustin Foothills, and Irvine) match Newport Beach for extravagant excess, a far more accurate representation of the county is within Santa Anas borders. When characters in The O.C. mention other county cities, they do so in disapproving tones. For example, one character cannot believe that a friend attended a rock concert in Anaheim.            The US Census has just determined that the county is now officially a majority-minority region, that is, the white population now constitute less than 50% of the total population. However, none of this diversity is reflected on The O.C. While many minorities in Orange County are struggling to make their voices heard, it seems that, sadly, some people want to make minorities in the county invisible. While the minority population in the county have been steadily increasing the past few years, no one ever talks about them. One hears Mexican music playing when he or she goes to a nice restaurant in Newport Beach. But this is not heard in The O.C. Instead, typical American songs are heard in the background. It creates an impression that people in Orange County just do not want to think about minorities operating in the community.            The drama series is a fictional entity that is being made real in Orange County through various media manipulations and societal expectations. However, whether or not this commercial reflection of the life in the county is truly authentic does not seem to tamper with the show’s popularity. After all, it is this TV program where Orange County residents can find harmony in the world’s discrepancies: it is where the troubled teen gets a perfect family and it is where the geek guy gets the girl.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Consequences of Steroids in Sports Essay examples -- Sports Atheletes
Consequences of Steroids in Sports Every year high school, college, and professional athletes try to get just ?a little bigger,a little stronger,? and to increase the amount of weights they lift by, ?just a few pounds.? To achieve these goals athletes often turn to anabolic steroids to aid them in achieving their goals. Anabolic steroids are a quick, but dangerous way to increase muscle mass, and they can carry many risks including some life threatening side affects. Years after taking steroids athletes can live to have serious heart problems, sterility, or possibly not even live, all because of foolish decisions they made in the past. These potentially fatal drugs are not widely known by young athletes at all, because they don?t know about the risks that can go along with them. In school, every student is taught about marijuana, cocaine,heroin, sex, liquor, and all those other health risks, but they?re never taught about ?roids? or ?juice.? (slang words for steroids) That should be changed, because it is known that s tudent athletes often use steroids, not knowing the risks. Many times they take the risk because they hear about professional athletes taking steroids. But, despite their widespread use in sports, steroids can have more negative than positive effects on athletes of all types. Steroids are chemical substances that can be made naturally by the body or produced synthetically. There are many different types of steroids that are used for different things other than just athletes enhancing muscles. For example, there are types of steroids that can be used by women as birth control pills, and other types that are used for menopause treatment. The abuse of steroids is almost always found to be in the case of athletes, and that is the focus of this paper. ?All anabolic steroids are synthetic compounds whose molecular structure is similar to that of the natural male sex hormone testosterone. Testosterone affects development of the male body in two important ways: it has an anabolic effect - i ncreases growth, especially of muscular and skeletal tissue - And an androgenic effect - increased development of male sexual characteristics. Anabolic steroids are constructed stythetically in such a way that they maximize the anabolic effect of testosterone while minimizing the androgenic effect.? The way that steroids work can easily be interpreted by a foo... ...d possibly sterility. Think of the body as an outlet, and the steroids are plugs. It is the steroids job to make sure that everything gets energy and runs smoothly. When working with the right amount of plugs, the steroids are usually successful. However, when extra plugs are forced to go into the same socket, the power can go out. The effect that the plugs were originally supposed to achieve are now backwards. Similarly, when steroids appear naturally in the body, they do their job well, but when foreign steroids are introduced into the body, destructive ends usually follow. We see from this example of steroid abuse that if normal function progresses to an extreme shape, healthy functioning becomes a disease. Works Cited University of Florida( 2004) Benefits of Strength Training. Retrieved April 9, 2005, from http://www.recsports.hhp.ufl.edu/fitness/strength/benefits.htm Goldstein, Joshua (2001) War and Gender: How Gender Shapes the War System and Vice Versa. Cambridge University Press. Keteyian, Dr. Steven(2000, October 10). Exercise Boosts Mental, Physical Health. Retrieved April 12, 2005, from http://psycport.com/news/2000/10/10/DTNS/000-0286-Keyword.Missing.html
Monday, January 13, 2020
Planning To Meet Customer Requirements Essay
1(a)This assignment is based on organization called the Better business bureau located in North America. The fundamental aim of this organization is to ensure that business men achieve high standards and maintain them. The vision of the organization is an ethical market place where buyers and sellers can trust each other. The mission of the better bureau is to be the leader in advancing market place trust. The better business bureau is able to accomplish its mission by ensuring  that it works in a community of trustworthy businesses since the main aim of the business is to train its members on how to maintain their business ,hence it is easy to motivate business men to be trustworthy to each other. To accomplish its mission the better business bureau has set standards for market place trust. The main objective of the better business bureau is to setting up good standards in the market that promote trust. To fulfill its mission the better business bureau encourages and supports best practices. As being a good role model in the market place the better business bureau is main target is encouraging and supporting practices among businessmen. (b). one of the main objective of the business is celebrating market place role models. As a mentor that is encouraging good business practices the better business bureau acts as a good role model among business men. Another other main important objective for the better business bureau is denouncing substandard market place behavior. The organization is against bad business behaviors and untrustworthy business men practices. (c). Denouncing substandard market place behaviors has encouraged the organization to work closely with its members. Through the internet the better business bureau is always in contact with its customers thus encouraging good business behaviors among them. To ensure that high standards are set and maintained the better business bureau offer affordable education to all its members. The better business bureau also promotes the standards set by its members. To celebrate market place role model has been achieved by the better business bureau because the organization accepts only competent business to its system. Any qualified businesses do not qualify to becoming members of the organization. 2.(a) Stake holders The better business bureau has got many employees, customers and shareholders. The main stakeholders for the better business bureau are businessmen. i. Customers: The main customers for the better business bureau are businessmen. The better business bureau is an international organization for 133 better business bureaus across North America. The better business bureau has got 380, 000 business members that range in size from local enterprises to multinational corporations.  The better business bureau offers many services to its customers, like the better business bureau military line. This is mainly designed to meeting specific consumer needs of military personnel. The organization also has an international students ethic award where scholarships are offered to competent students.  ii. a).Employees: the better business bureau has got many employees. The main ones are accountants, managers, web designers, clerks, and the junior staff. The accountants are mainly involved in maintaining and ensuring that the better business bureau offers its services to standard, they oversee the day performance of the business. Also the web designers have been working hard in ensuring that the organization is well networked, with it business members by developing and ensuring that updated computer programmes have been designed that meet the requirements of the company. b) The employees of the better business bureau ensure the smooth running of its operations. For example the web designers ensure that the business is well networked with all its customers globally. The accountants of the better business bureau ensure that its records are well maintained and updated. The accounts also regularly countercheck the performance of the business members of the organization.  The customers of the better business bureau determine its performance. When many businesses join the bureau its performance improves. Quality: The quality of a product is the degree of the production perfection. Every product has to be manufactured to a particular specification regarding dimension, surface finish and hardness. Quality services: means offering of services that meet and fulfill the requirements of the customers. Quality management: This is a system that a company lays down in ensuring that it achieves its objectives. Quality management involves procedures and means involved in measuring and maintaining the quality of products or services offered by a company. c) Quality standards. The better business bureau has set up quality standards that monitor the daily performance of its duties. The better business bureau has been putting some measures like introducing online services that are set towards improving the quality of services the company offers. To promote the quality of services the company offers it has promoted the public trust in advertising. The better business bureau does its advertisement in order to foster truth and accuracy in national advertising through voluntary self-regulation.  To improve the quality of services the better business bureau offers it the business has been using online services to report its operations. d) Quality audit. The better business bureau offers quality services to its customers. The better business bureau meets the needs of its customers by enabling its customers to be using an online reporting and evaluation system. Through the internet customers make their requests to the company and they get the necessary feed back through the internet. Only competent and trustworthy businesses are member: The better business bureau encourages quality in its services by registering only qualified businesses as its members. The organization does not encourage illegal business practices among its members. The organization also supports many other good programs. The business offers other community services like scholarships to need students within the community. 4) Information review: To create a healthy, safe and productive working environment some information are essential. First information about a particular company is crucial. To understand its objectives, mission and vision. After understanding the objectives, mission and vision of the company then its possible to create a conducive working environment. To create a conducive working environment there should be a well laid down organizational structure for the company. The employees should understand their duties well. A good relationship should also exist between the junior and senior staff. To create a safe working environment all the employees should understand the necessary safety precautions, they should follow in performing their duties, they should also understand other necessary rules to be followed in performing their duties. For encouraging a productive working environment employees should be well conversant to their work. They should understand all the procedures of performing a specific task. b) The guidance that is in our work place that creates a healthy, safe and productive work environment is through regular training of employees. The better business bureau offers regular training to its employees on how to, have a heath work environment by encouraging employees to co-ordinate and network among themselves in ensuring that the required standards of working are achieved at the work place. The organization promotes a save working environment by encouraging its employees to observe safely measures like how to control emergence situation like fire in case of an emergence. The company also encourages a productive working environment by training its employees adequately. The better business bureau has trained its employees to be at a better position of offering recommended services to its customers. Training: The better business bureau trains its business managers on how to encourage many businesses to join the organization. The business managers are taught on how to face business men and how to promote good business practices in their businesses. For the better business bureau to create a healthy and productive environment among its members it usually monitors on their performance. Only businesses with performance, that is according to the required standards that the better business bureau serves. Risk analysis: (i)Political situations:- The political situation of America and other countries can affect the smooth running of the better business bureau. The political situation of countries that have member businesses registered with the better business bureau affect the smooth running of the organization. (ii)Exchange rates:-Due to high prices of oil and food, the global economy is performing poorly thus affecting the strength of the dollar particularly to poor countries. Thus the better business bureau being an international organization will be greatly affected. Potential business: -It becomes difficulty for the better business bureau to determine genuine businesses. Since the better business bureau deals only with competent business it becomes difficulty to know the trustworthy once. iv. Facing competition: the better business bureau faces competition from other international organization. Hence it is likely to lose some of its potential customers.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Shakespeare s The Tempest - Illusion Of Justice - 1061 Words
Illusion of Justice in The Tempest INTRO.. Thesis:William Shakespeare’s The Tempest portrays an ongoing historical struggle for power through acts of injustice. Antonio alienates Prosperous by isolating him on a island far away from civilization. Prospero explains to Miranda,By foul play, as thou say st, were we heaved thence (1.2.63). Antonio, Prospero s brother, used Prospero s own lack of vigilance against him leading to his exile (Frey). Prospero was distracted from his job as Duke of Milan which made him an easy target for Antonio to overthrow. This act of injustice shows the extent of betrayal one will go to in order to gain power. Antonio went against his brother just to take over the thrown. Antonio s betrayal led Prospero and Miranda to be cut off from humanity, Miranda being very young at the time cannot remember her life before the island.â€Å" Tis far off / And rather like a dream than an assurance†(1.2.44-45). Miranda describes her memory of her old life as a dream. Prospero on the other hand, remembers his old life very well, and the sea that surrounds them serves as a constant reminder and reinforcement of exotic isolation (â€Å"Themes in The Tempest†). Isolationism leads Prospero to think up multiple plans for revenge. In exile Prospero had a ton of time to focus on his magic, which was his manifestation of power and control. Prospero s obsession with magic is the key reason why Antonio was able to overthrow him. Prospero explains how his countless hoursShow MoreRelatedMacbeth, By William Shakespeare1725 Words  | 7 PagesIn Shakespeare s time, supernatural entities, such as witches or ghosts, were to be feared. It was a point in history of extremely superstitious people, where women were burned at the stake for being accused of using magic. At odds with the beliefs of his time, Shakespeare uses the supernatural in a very logical way, providing a glimpse into his characters unique dispositions through the use of witches, ghosts, or magic to represent their internal thoughts and struggles. Each play deals with corruptionRead MoreModern English Macbeth21221 Words  | 85 PagesModern English Macbeth www.nosweatshakespeare.com Modern English Shakespeare resources ebooks Contents About the Author Page 3 Act One Scene One Act One Scene Two Act One Scene Three Act One Scene Four Act One Scene Five Act One Scene Six Act One Scene Seven Page 5 Page 6 Page 8 Page 12 Page 14 Page 16 Page 17 Act Two Scene One Act Two Scene Two Act Two Scene Three Act Two Scene Four Page 19 Page 21 Page 23 Page 26 Act Three Scene One Act Three SceneRead MoreCleanth Brookss Essay Irony as a Principle of Structure9125 Words  | 37 Pagesunderstanding the coherent structure of that method from the point of view Of logic as well as content. As a consequence it has become difficult, if not almost impossible, to understand the life nerve of that method, namely the dialectic. We cannot do justice to the concrete, historical dialectic without considering in some detail the founder of this method, Hegel, and his relation to Marx. Marx’s warning not to treat Hegel as a ‘dead dog’ has gone unheeded even by many good Marxists. (The efforts of EngelsRead MoreA Picatrix Miscellany52019 Words  | 209 PagesLondon, The Warburg Institute, University of London, 1962 French B. Bakhouche, F. Fauquier, B. Pà ©rez-Jean: Picatrix Un traità © de magie mà ©dià ©val. 388 p., 130 x 210 mm, 2003, Paperback ISBN 2-503-51068-X, EUR 37.91. Newest critical edition. French S. Matton, La magie arabe traditionelle, Paris, 1977 (incomplete) Latin Picatrix: The Latin Version of the Ghà ¢yat Al-Hakà ®m, ed. David Pingree (London, Warburg Institute, 1986). Spanish Abul-Casim Maslama ben Ahmad: Picatrix (El fin del sabio y el mejor
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Shimabara Rebellion in Japan
The Shimabara Rebellion was a peasant revolt against Matsukura Katsuie of the Shimabara Domain and Terasawa Katataka of the Karatsu Domain. Date Fought between December 17, 1637 and April 15, 1638, the Shimabara Rebellion lasted four months. Armies Commanders Shimabara Rebels Amakusa Shiro27,000-37,000 men Tokugawa Shogunate Itakura ShigemasaMatsudaira Nobutsuna125,000-200,000 men Shimabara Rebellion - Campaign Summary Originally the lands of the Christian Arima family, the Shimabara Peninsula was given to the Matsukura clan in 1614. As a result of their former lords religious affiliation, many of the inhabitants of the peninsula were Christian as well. The first of the new lords, Matsukura Shigemasa, sought advancement within the ranks of the Tokugawa Shogunate and aided in the construction of​ Edo Castle and a planned invasion of the Philippines. He also pursued a strict policy of persecution against local Christians. While Christians were persecuted in other areas of Japan, the degree of Matsukuras repression was considered particularly extreme by outsiders such as local Dutch traders. After taking over his new lands, Matsukura constructed a new castle at Shimabara and saw that the Arima clans old seat, Hara Castle, was dismantled. To finance these projects, Matsukura levied heavy taxes on his people. These policies were continued by his son, Matsukura Katsuie. A similar situation developed on the adjacent Amakusa Islands where the Konishi family had been displaced in favor of the Terasawas. In the fall of 1637, the discontented populace as well as local, masterless samurai began to meet in secret to plan an uprising. This broke out in Shimabara and the Amakusa Islands on December 17, following the assassination of the local daikan (tax official) Hayashi Hyà ´zaemon. In the revolts early days, the regions governor and more than thirty noblemen were killed. The ranks of the rebellion quickly swelled as all those living in Shimabara and Amakusa were forced to join the rebel armys ranks. The charismatic 14/16-year old Amakusa Shiro was selected to lead the rebellion. In an effort to snuff out the revolt, the governor of Nagasaki, Terazawa Katataka, dispatched a force of 3,000 samurai to Shimabara. This force was defeated by the rebels on December 27, 1637, with the governor losing all but 200 of his men. Taking the initiative, the rebels laid siege to the Terazawa clans castles at Tomioka and Hondo. These proved unsuccessful as they were forced to abandon both sieges in the face of advancing shogunate armies. Crossing the Ariake Sea to Shimabara, the rebel army laid siege to Shimabara Castle but were unable to take it. Withdrawing to the ruins of Hara Castle, they re-fortified the site using wood taken from their ships. Provisioning Hara with food and ammunition seized from Matsukuras storehouses at Shimabara, the 27,000-37,000 rebels prepared to receive the shogunate armies that were arriving in the area. Led by Itakura Shigemasa, shogunate forces laid siege to Hara Castle in January 1638. Surveying the situation, Itakura requested aid from the Dutch. In response, Nicolas Koekebakker, the head of the trading station at Hirado, sent gunpowder and cannon. Itakura next requested that Koekebakker send a ship to bombard the seaward side of Hara Castle. Arriving in de Ryp (20), Koekebakker and Itakura began an ineffective 15-day bombardment of the rebel position. After being taunted by the rebels, Itakura sent de Ryp back to Hirado. He was later killed in a failed attack on the castle and replaced by Matsudaira Nobutsuna. Seeking to regain the initiative, the rebels launched a major night raid on February 3, which killed 2,000 soldiers from Hizen. Despite this minor victory, the rebels situation worsened as provisions dwindled and more shogunate troops arrived. By April, the 27,000 remaining rebels were facing over 125,000 shogunate warriors. With little choice left, they attempted a break out on April 4, but were unable to get through Matsudairas lines. Prisoners taken during the battle revealed that the rebels food and ammunition were nearly exhausted. Moving forward, shogunate troops attacked on April 12, and succeeded in taking Haras outer defenses. Pushing on, they finally managed to take the castle and end the rebellion three days later. Shimabara Rebellion - Aftermath Having taken the castle, the shogunate troops executed all those rebels who were still alive. This coupled with those who committed suicide prior to the castles fall, meant that the entire 27,000-man garrison (men, women, children) died as a result of the battle. All told, approximately 37,000 rebels and sympathizers were put to death. As the rebellions leader, Amakusa Shiro was beheaded and his head taken back to Nagasaki for display. As the Shimabara Peninsula and the Amakusa Islands were essentially depopulated by the rebellion, new immigrants were brought in from other parts of Japan and the lands divided among a new set of lords. Ignoring the role that over-taxation played in causing the revolt, the shogunate opted to blame it on the Christians. Officially banning the faith, Japanese Christians were forced underground where they remained until the 19th century. In addition, Japan closed itself to the outside world, only allowing a few Dutch merchants to remain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)