I'm at that point where everything in my midterm study materials is funny to me. You know, that point where some mixture of sleep deprivation and information overload causes something to snap and suddenly you are fighting the giggle fits every three seconds.

So, I'm studying for Japan Civ right? Here is the latest story:

Once there was the Tang dynasty of China. They were a pretty cool period to be living in if you didn't have to worry about the big-ass war with Korea. Very civilized, explosion of culture, that sort of thing. It was already a well-established traditional belief that the Chinese ruler was the "Son of Heaven," imbued with divine power to lead and guide his subjects. The enlightening power of his influence was said radiate out from his capitol to shine even on the barbarian tributary states of the outer fringes of the empire. These outer fringes would sometimes come to pay their respects to the Emperor. To show just how much cooler he was than them, the Emperor would generously shower these barbarian entourages with gifts unimaginable.

Then along came this guy called Prince Shotoku of Japan. He was part of this new hotshot ruling family there, the Soga. Prince Shotoku was all about believing in the godly origins of the Yamato Kings (who he just so happened to be descended from due to some strategic matchmaking by his Gramps). So, whether from an attempt to assert his country's power or just old-fashioned hubris, he sends a diplomatic group along with a letter to China that starts something like this:

This is the Son of Heaven in the land where the sun rises sending a big "HAI HOW U DOIN" to the Son of Heaven in the land where the sun sets...

To which the Emperor said to his advisers in tones displeased, "Bitch, please. This Prince Shotoku is such a douche. Get the offending paper out of my sight, or I swear I shall have the vapors! No more swag for Japan!"

And thus ended the Japanese involvement in the Chinese tributary system.

TRUFAX.

Mood drained Tags: school