Personal Statement - Japanese and History 1

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Japan is a country that fascinates me like no other. I was exposed to it indirectly from a very young age through the parcels my uncle and aunt used to send me. As my interest in Japan's popular culture began, I soon resolved to discover more about the country. As I have matured and my academic interests developed, I have only found more reasons to do so. My first contact with Japanese literature was through Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood. The simplistic quality of Murakami's style eased the transition into Toru Watanabe's world and captured the essence of the troubling aspects affecting Japanese youth such as melancholy, depression and aimlessness that manifests itself in the suicides that play such an integral part of the story. Along with Soseki's Kokoro I consider it one of my favourite books. Kokoro struck me for the distinctly Japanese point of view seen through Sensei and student's contrasting views on life and Sensei's struggle to adjust through the rapid metamorphosis of Japan following the Meiji restoration.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

I had to opportunity to combine my interest with academic study when I used The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu as one of my texts for my English literature A2 coursework. I found the book especially insightful to my historical interests as a portrait of Heian Japan and its fascination with aesthetics, and its social values. Rich in poetry, it is clear to see the importance of poetry and words to Heian Japan, which is preserved in the poetic style of modern authors such as Murakami and Soseki. In order to greater understand the history of Heian Japan, I also read Ivan Morris' The World of the Shining Prince as an accompaniment. Taking the Extended Project Qualification has given me a chance to devote a piece of academic work to Japanese literature, and I hope to use The Tale of Heike, Kokoro, and Norwegian Wood to explore how literature portrays Japan's conflict with modernity and its history and traditions. I have also had the pleasure of witnessing the displays of Japanese students from ...... College at my town's annual culture festival.

So far, I have learnt many skills to aid me in undergraduate study. Physics is intellectually stimulating and encourages the development of analytical skills as well as the constant application of knowledge to various problems. Conversely History and English have developed my written communication skills as well as the techniques to remember facts and analyse them to construct a well written argument. I have especially enjoyed History as I like learning about events of the past and the way that it has shaped the world. Outside of the syllabus, I have read works on the Peninsula war by historians such as Mark Urban and Ian Fletcher to satiate my interest in Napoleonic Europe. History has proved especially useful for interlinking with English, as literature is an alternative record of history and therefore needs to be analysed with historical context in mind. English has aided my skills in source evaluation as both require a source or quotation to constantly tie into the question. I also developed my self-study skills when I took classes to learn Nepalese language courtesy of the Ghurkha Welfare Centre as part of a culture awareness scheme.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

I enjoy personal development, doing activities like drawing and writing as well as sports such as basketball and badminton. I also try to further my knowledge of Japanese if I can find the time. After graduating, I intend to apply to the JET scheme in order to gain the experience of playing an active role within Japanese society. It is because of my passion for this country's history, literature and culture that I would relish the chance to learn the language and take my interest to a high academic level. Despite the challenge; I am committed to reaching my full potential and giving my all in exchange for the opportunities that university life has to offer me.

Universities applied to:

• University of Sheffield (Japanese Studies and History)
• University of Kent (English and American Literature with a year in America)
• School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) (Japanese and History)
• School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) (Japanese)
• University of Sheffield (Japanese Studies)

Grades achieved:

• ABB
• ABB
• AAB
• AAB

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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