1. MYP Global Context
1.1. The Global Context that I will build my personal project upon, is "Personal & Cultural Expression". As a whole it is a research of the way a different and unfamiliar culture to ours can affect our perception of art. Also, a quite sizeable part of the project is also about the moral code and beliefs of said culture, as well as how easy it is for someone who hasn't experienced first hand, to translate it to themselves and others (and to apply our current experience of culture onto this unfamiliar one - compare, find differences, similarities, doubt and question it's origins and effectiveness as well as how it influences today).
1.2. Besides the "history and culture" aspect of my project, there is also the artstic part. With this I strive to find the core elements of different (at times even contrasting) forms of art and express it in a creative and unique way that is exclusive to my style of self expression. It expresses both my own ideas and values (which are mirrored into the story) but also keeps the integrity of the key theme.
1.3. 1. What Do I Want To Achieve Through This Project? Answer: Acquiring and spreading knowledge and fusion of contrasting art genres. 2. What Do I Want Others To Understand Through My Work? Answer: I want others to understand both the story and the way it's told but also the ethics and morals that are deep rooted in the Japenese culture. 3. What Impact Do I Want My Project To Have? Answer: I want my project to inspire others to take interest in unalike types of art and in the beautiful world of Japan. 4. How Can A Specific Context Give Greater Purpose To My Project? Answer: A specific context can make the project more focused and concentrated onto it's central themes instead of it being extremely loose and abstract. It creates a path for the one creating the project to walk upon towards the final product.
2. What about the final product?
2.1. The final product will be a video containing all the genres and types of art I included above with additional music and narration.
3. Themes It Explores
3.1. The project will explore several themes that are present both today and were also present in the Edo Period Japan and Miyamoto Musashi's life. Those include strength, battle tactics and a plethora of duels but they also include the spiritual, Buddhism, philosophy, mortality, honesty and Bushido. And of course it also explores human relationships, doubt, confidence, emotions and different states of mind, as it is partly fictional story.
3.1.1. The Importance Of Those Themes In Edo Japan
3.1.1.1. A lot of these themes were heavily present in the 1603-1867 Japan. Strength and Kenjutsu in general was important due to the art of the sword as a fighting technique. It was very common to see ronin and samurai and dojos all around Japan, teaching the way of the sword. But Japan is also known for it's connection to philosophy and the spiritual and Kenjutsu is heavily connected to it. It's not just respect for your opponent, it's also appreciating the way of life of the ronin and realizing that a duel to the death is the last thing a warrior should resort to. Hence the quote "The battle must first be done within the sheath". Lastly, the project will also explore the depth of the human mind and different states of mind, as a work of art and express my personal emotions through this piece.
3.1.2. Psychology - Human Emotions
3.1.2.1. In my project characters are a big focus and so is their development through the story. To express such development in a realistic and satisfactory manner, I had to reseearch on character pscyhology in storytelling. Of course, it's a very important part of storytelling and no sort of story can be made without psychology.
3.1.3. Bushido
3.1.3.1. Bushido is the moral code that samurai were "supposed" to follow. A lot did not, but this story expresses the Bushido code deeply, through indirect means. The 7 virtues of Bushido are: Rectitude 義, Courage 勇, Benevolence 仁, Respect 礼(禮), Honour 名誉, Honesty 誠, and Loyalty 忠実
3.1.4. Buddhism
3.1.4.1. A lot of the characters in my story are Buddhist (such as the monk Takuan) or follow certain Buddhist principles. They are apparent in Edo period Japan and important to the overall development and expression of certain individuals within the story
4. What types of art?
4.1. - Text/Paragraphs
4.2. - Poems/Haiku
4.3. - Paintings/Sketches
4.4. Manga
4.5. Comics/Fumetti/Graphic Novel
4.6. Music
5. Goals
5.1. My goal is to educate both myself and others on the history of early modern Japan and one of it's most influential figures. I am also creating this idea to push the boundaries of art and create a unified work of many genres and mediums but to also test my own limits as an artist. Lastly, I am exploring the depth of psychology in certain personalities.
5.1.1. Why?
5.1.1.1. Why Miyamoto Musashi?
5.1.1.1.1. Miyamoto Musashi is not only an important historical figure, but he is also a giant of pop culture, appearing in many cultural circles in Japan. His influence on martial arts is immense and is still felt throughout the world today
5.1.1.2. In order to both research, observe and later on describe the history of Musashi Miyamoto and the Edo Period Japan but also to fuse different art mediums into one cohesive piece accompanied by my own personal style of self expression.
5.1.2. Why is this project personal to me?
5.1.2.1. I have always been an admirer and follower of Japanese culture and the whole idea of "samurai" and "ronin". I've associated myself with a plethora of "jidaigeki" works, meaning movies/manga/shows/etc. that focus on Edo Period Japan - the commoners, warriors, the shogunate and many more. I am also an artist, mainly on visual arts and I aspire of expanding my skill range and branching out onto other forms of art. Another important part of my personality is an interest in psychology which I tend to apply on my art, exploring the humane psyche.