Chapters 12, 13, 14Cultural

Tang Foot Binding As a sign of wealth, during the Tang dynasty some noble Chinese

families started binding their daughter’s feet. When they were young the wife would squish their daughter’s feet

into a ball and wrap it as tight as they could with linen or cloth. Since there is only mostly cartilage in the foot in this age the foot

began to form in this smaller shape. When the daughter starts to age her feet grow into a little ball

because of how their foot is wrapped. This put the rich females out of work putting even more of a burden

onto the slaves and peasants. Only the rich could afford to be out of work, so only the rich people

practiced foot binding. The foot bindings led to an even bigger gap between men and

women in the Confucian social hierarchy. The men were always on top of this hierarchy, but since many women

had club feet they were unable to work, thus making this gap bigger. The woman couldn’t provide for herself so the male would have to do

that job making the woman useless and defenseless.

Foot Binding during the Tang

Broken toes by 3 years of age.

Size 5 ½ shoe on the right

Buddhism and Confucianism in the Tang

Confucianism and Buddhism potential rivals Buddhism had been central Mahayana Buddhism popular in era of

turmoil Chan (Zen) Buddhism common among elite

Early Tang support Buddhism Empress Wu (690-705) Endows monasteries Tried to make Buddhism the state religion 50,000 monasteries by c. 850

Conflict between Confucianism and Buddhism

Reversal of state sponsorship Confucianism regains favor for educational

purposes Confucianism has difficulty competing

against the multiple strains of Buddhism Ultimately Government sponsorship of

Buddhism declines because of financial problems Buddhism is permanently weakened, but

never dies out completely

Neo-Confucianism Emphasized tradition and the pursuit of

virtuous morality through ancient texts and the teachings of wise men Stressed Confucian social stratification! The past is man’s best example for future

Impact of Neo-Confucianism gender: men revered as household

equivalent to emperor society: encouraged to “stay in your place” government: less receptive to other

“foreign” ideas

Art of the Song monumental landscape painting often done in a watercolor/ink wash

style Great poetry continues

Japan

Japan’s Contact with China

Early contact tempered by faithfulness to traditional values Shinto views on supernatural/natural world

Success of Chinese Cultural Adoption Elites create a world based on reputation and

social status Emphasis on physical appearance, material

wealth – shallow & fake Achievements in poetic and literary works –

focus on sentimentality

The Tale of Genji

Written by Lady Murasaki first novel in any language relates life history of prominent and

amorous son of the Japanese emperor's son

evidence for mannered style of the Japanese society.

Korea

Overview of Korea

Korea has the longest “cultural exchange” relationship with China Most content with relationship

Question: Is it possible for Korea to develop a unique culture, given its proximity to China?”

Development of Korea

Much cultural borrowing from China (Sinification)Buddhism, art, architecture

(temples), Confucian learningAttempted bureaucracy fails

without support from Korean nobles

Vietnam

Origins of Vietnam

In possession of a sophisticated culture prior to Chinese contact

Conflicted between benefits of Chinese culture & loss of national identity

Early military conflicts resulted in cultural exchange, but no political control

Have a closer connection to SE Asian groups (Cambodians, Khmers & Tais) Language bore no resemblance to Chinese Preference for nuclear family vs. Chinese

extended family Greater freedom held by Viet women Distinct art & literature

Development of Vietnamese Dynasties Despite political independence, cultural adoption

continues Finally establish small-scale bureaucracy

Less powerful than China’s Relate with peasants more than elites interests

and revolts Creation of civil-service exam (Confucian base) Construction of Chinese-style capital cities

Successful conquest of neighbors result of learned Chinese techniques

Fragmentation development of cultural conflict between North and South (US?)

Vietnamese culture separate from Chinese Spoken language not related to Chinese,

strong tradition of village autonomy favored nuclear family to extended household,

never developed the clan networks Vietnamese women had more freedom and

influence both within the family and in society different style of clothing, cockfight, chewed

betel nut, and blackened their teeth developed art and literature (poetry) different

from Chinese.

Culture after Chinese Conquests

Chinese cropping techniques and irrigation technology

political and military organization gave them decisive edge over Indianized peoples to the west and south

adopted extended family model, ancestor veneration

Mongols

Review of Pastoralists

Pastoralists = nomadic

Traveled in systematic patterns based on seasonal changes and environmental conditions

Not homeless took their homes and belongings with them

FYI Mongols did NOT become Chinese and

they did not accommodate EVERY aspect of Chinese culture

The Mongol Empire

Mongol rule was generally tolerant Religious toleration Administrators drawn from Islamic and

Chinese worlds Intellectuals taken from conquered kingdoms

Trade and cultural exchange flourished Pax Mongolica Protect merchants

Mongols Being Mongols Many still lived, ate, slept, and gave

birth in yurts they put up everywhere Planted steppe grass within the capital

and let animals roam freely Didn’t use civil service exams Didn’t learn Chinese

Reaction by Confucianists

Thought of the Mongols as “uncouth barbarians”

Refusal to reinstate the exam system was resented

The bolstering of artisans and merchants bothered them

Mongols liked popular entertainment raising the status of actors and actresses which went against the earlier hierarchy

Persia and the Mongols

Many Mongols in Persia were heavily influenced by the Persians there: Adopted Islam Left government operation in Persian

hands Learned Persian Some turned to farming and abandoned

nomadic ways Some married local people

Influence on the Russians Although the Mongols weren’t

influenced much by the Russians, the Russians were influenced by the Mongols: Adopted Mongols

weapons court practices diplomatic rituals taxation system military draft

Marco Polo In the late 13th century, Marco Polo left his home

in Venice, and eventually traveled for many years in China.

He was accompanied by his father and uncle, who were merchants anxious to stimulate trade between Venice along the trade routes east.

Polo met the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan (Genghis Khan's grandson), who was interested in his travel stories and convinced him to stay as an envoy to represent him in different parts of China.

He served the khan for 17 years before returning home, where he was captured by Genoans at war with Venice.

What evidence shows that the Mongols and the Chinese did not intermix cultures? Chinese scholars forbidden to learn

Mongol script Mongols forbidden to marry ethnic

Chinese only women from nomadic families

selected for imperial harem no friendships; Mongol religion,

traditions, and style retained Mongol military forces remain separate

from Chinese military

Explain how Kubilai Khan’s toleration of other religions and travelers affected later history. Enhanced European interest in Asia and

helped inspire efforts by navigator like Columbus to find a water route to China