The student will demonstrate knowledge of civilizations and empires of the Eastern Hemisphere and their interactions through regional trade patterns by: Describing Japan, with

emphasis on the impact of Shinto and Buddhist traditions and the influence of Chinese culture

Questions How has Japan’s

geography influenced its development?

How did Chinese culture influence Japan?

Why were Shinto and Buddhism important to the development of Japanese culture?

Chain of islands between Sea of Japan & the Pacific Ocean

Four large islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, & Kyushu)

3900 smaller islands

Mountains cover ¾ of Japan

Valleys between mountains are fertile (rice)

Sea is also a main source of food

Advantages Southern Japan enjoys mild

climate with plenty of rainfall Being surrounded by water

offered protection from outsiders. Japan’s development was

influenced by the proximity to China

Disadvantages Mountainous

Only 15% of land is suitable for farming

Lack of natural resources Natural disaster threats

Typhoons, earthquakes, and tidal waves

Japan a collection of hundreds of clans Not a unified state

Practiced early form of Shinto religion No complex rituals or

philosophy Based on respect for

the forces of nature and worship of ancestors

Believed in kami The divine spirits that

dwelled in nature

The Yamato By 5th century, the

Yamato clan established itself as the leading clan Claimed to be

descended from sun goddess, Amatersu

By 7th century called themselves the 1st emperors of Japan Lacked real power but

never overthrown

About 500

Around same time agriculture improved dramatically

Chinese influences begin to appear

Buddhism Brought to Japan by

Korean travelers Imperial court accepted

in mid-700s By 8th century had

spread throughout Japan

Appreciated its teachings and the beauty and mystery of its ceremonies and art

Combined both Shinto and Buddhist beliefs

Buddhism is declared the state religion of Japan in 594 C.E.

Shinto – ancient Japanese religion focusing on rituals of cleanliness, loyalty to family, respect to ancestors, valuing nature, & worshipping the emperor. Associated with Imperial family No scriptures but ceremonies

that are a part of daily life

Confucianism from China

Prince Shotoku 607 C.E. Converted to

Buddhism Sent “missions” to

China to study Chinese civilization 1st hand

Sent several groups over a 200 year period, during the Tang Dynasty

Taking Chinese ways but modifying them Example:

Japan didn’t adopt civil service exams but they did adopt a tradition of inheriting status through family tradition Officials were educated sons

of nobles As Tang Dynasty declined

in China, Japan turned away from that model

Asserted Japanese identity Japanese culture would

bloom

1st brought by Korean travelers

Pictographic Writing (kanji) - one character represents a meaning

By 900, Japanese simplified kanji to make kana (“borrowed letters”). Kana includes Hiragana & Katakana.

Simpler set of letters based on sounds

ArchitectureArchitecture

Chinese building Japanese building

Other areas of influence

Government Modeled Japanese

government on China’s Planned a strong central

government Examination system failed Noble families retained

power Art

Painted landscapes like Chinese artists

Everyday living Cooking, gardening,

drinking tea, and hairdressing

Japanese capital moved to Heian (Kyoto) in 794 C.E. Many noble families

moved as well Capital moved away from

influence of Buddhist priests

Led to creation of highly refined court society

Japan broke off much of their Chinese contacts

By 1000 C.E. Japan was isolated from China and Korea

Court Elegant and

sophisticated culture Fairy-tale atmosphere

Elaborate rules of dress Heian women produced

important works of literature Diaries, essays, poetry Pillow Book, written by Sei

Shonagon 900s A.D. Court manners,

Amusements Décor , dress

Women had a certain level of equality

Laws made it clear that women were still subordinate to men Men could still divorce

women for not bearing children, talking to much, or severe illness

Played an active role in society

Aristocratic women were prominent at court Writers painters

Lady Murasaki Best know writer Tale of Genji, world’s

first full-length novel Adventures of Prince

Genji and his son Full of romance, but

haunted by sadness Love does not last

Most of Heian period the Fujiwara family held real power By 11th century power of the

central government and family declined

Large families living away from capital set up private armies Marked beginning of feudal

system Farmers and small landowners

traded parts of their land to strong warlords in exchange for protection

Daimyo – a local warrior-lord in Japan during the samurai era

Since warfare was common, each lord surrounded himself with loyal warriors called samurai “one who serves” Lived according to a code

called Bushido “way of the warrior”

In late 1100s the two most powerful clans fought for power

1192 C.E. the emperor gave a Minamoto leader named Yoritomo title of Shogun Shogun – head of the

military government of Japan during the samurai era

Powers of a military dictator

Officials, judges, armies, and roads under his authority

Pattern continued until 1868 C.E.

Local lords still held great power

Military Training Archery Fencing (kendo style) Horsemanship Alternative Weapons

(metal fans or wood staffs)

Martial Arts Valued accuracy

without thinking

Mental Training Self-Control (endure

pain & suffering) To think they were

already dead. Alertness (as a “6th

sense”)

Bushido – code that samurai lived by ~ “the way of the warrior”

Includes the need to be honest, fair, and fearless.

Loyalty to their lord Personal Honor Price for failing to meet

the code was seppuku

Educated in writing and calligraphy.

Matsuo Basho – a samurai who invented the haiku

Tea Ceremony – performed in a certain way (step by step)

Defined as a ritual suicide by cutting the stomach with a knife or sword

Also known as hara-kiri

Performed when disgraced, to protest an injustice, or when sentenced to death

Kublai Khan launched invasion in 1274 Typhoon wrecked

Mongol fleet 1281, Mongols tried again

but again a typhoon hit! Called kamikaze or

divine winds Reinforced the

Japanese sense that were a people apart who enjoyed the special protection of the gods