Post on 16-Jan-2016
JapanThe land of the rising sun
Open your notebook on page 66 and start taking Cornell notes
Geography of Japan• More than 3,000 islands• Four major islands: Hokkaido, Honshu,
Shikoku, and Kyushu • Very little farming land• Frequent earthquakes
Japan, the land of the rising sun pg.66
Geography of Japan
•The 4 major islands of Japan are: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku & Kyushu•Little farmland•Earthquakes
Japan’s culture is based on
Influence of Geography• Isolated islands• Mountain landscape• Sea as a resource
Influence of Geography• Isolated islands• Mountain landscape• Sea as a resource
Influence of China• Buddhism• Writing style• Arts and crafts• Government
Influence of China• Buddhism• Writing style• Arts and crafts• Government
Japanese mythology (Creation of Japan)
• Izanagi & Izanami : two gods (male and female who created the islands of Japan
• Amaterasu: The sun goddess, who gave life to everything
• Storm god: The brother of Amaterasu; fought for power with his sister and destroyed everything
• Niningi: The grandson of Amaterasu; conquered the storm god and restored the power of sun
• The Jewel, the mirror, and the sword: 3 divine objects from the legend that represent the emperor’s power from heaven
Religions of Japan• Shinto – based on respect for nature “ way of the gods”
• Various forms of Buddhism:
1.Zen Buddhism ( favorite religion of Samurai )2. Tendai Buddhism ( focused on intensive study of texts)3. Amida Buddhism ( belief that people will find salvation in a pure land after death)
• Shinto – based on respect for nature “ way of the gods”
• Various forms of Buddhism:
1.Zen Buddhism ( favorite religion of Samurai )2. Tendai Buddhism ( focused on intensive study of texts)3. Amida Buddhism ( belief that people will find salvation in a pure land after death)
Social classes of Japan
Golden Age of Medieval Japan• World’s first novel written by Lady
Murasaki Shikibu “ The Tale of Genji”
• Kabuki theater and Noh Drama- Use of elaborate costumes based on folktales
• Haiku poems- 5-7-5 syllables short poems capturing a moment in nature
• Calligraphy & painting• Ikebana- flower arrangement• Origami- art of folding paper