Japan:-Cultural Diffusion-

-Shintoism-

EQs:1. How did Japan experience cultural

diffusion?2. What are some beliefs found in Shintoism?3. How did the Tokugawa Shogunate impact

Japan?

Map of Diffusion

• Japanese culture includes:

– original traditions

– ideas borrowed from Korea and China

Japan & Korea

• These cultures meet due to warfare and trade

• Korea acts as a bridge between Japan and China

• Korea introduces– Chinese writing system (c.500CE)– Buddhism

Japan & China

• C. 600CE = Japan sends nobles to study Chinese culture– During China’s Tang Dynasty, Japan

imports ideas directly from China

• 700-1100CE = Japan blends the best Chinese ideas with their own traditions– This creates Japan’s specific culture

Japanese Language

• C. 800CE = Japan adapts Chinese writing

• Japan has their ownlanguage

Chinese symbol for “life”

Japanese symbol for “life”

The Tokugawa Shogunate• In 1603, the Tokugawa

shogunate was founded• This shogunate stabilized

Japan by bringing the fighting daimyo under control

• The Tokugawa ran a centralized feudal government

• Japan’s economy prospered due to having a stabilized society

• New seeds & farming techniques allow farmers to produce more food

• Population grows• Trade increases

– By 1638, the Tokugawa only allowed internal trade (among the Japanese islands)

• Advances in culture– Tea ceremony– Landscape gardening– Kabuki theater– Haiku

Customs & Art: China’s Influence• Tea drinking, tea

ceremonies (Zen Buddhism)

• Music, dancing, Kabuki Theater

• Rock garden design & landscaping

• Architecture– Pagoda style– Buddhist monasteries

Belief Systems in Japan

• As Japanese civilization developed, various religions were practiced– Shintoism

– Buddhism

– Zen Buddhism

– ConfucianismThe Garan, the central temple complex in the town of Koyasan

Shintoism• Japan’s traditional religion• Shinto = “the way”, or “the way of the gods”• To practice Shinto, one must worship the “kami”

– Kami = spirits found in all living and nonliving things– Kami control the forces the nature

• Attempt to win the favor of the kami through praying, offerings, and visiting shrines

“Tsumairi” style shrine

Effects of Shintoism• Followers help unite

all of Japan

• Strong respect for the natural world in Japan

• Shrines built in places of natural beauty & they appear throughout Japan

Torii Gate: The Torii gate, as seen above, is the entrance to a Shinto shrine; the gate may be on land or water

Beliefs from China to Japan• Confucian ideals of

proper behavior and social order are popular in Japan

• Japan likes the ideas of family loyalty, honoring parents, and the respect for education

• Zen Buddhism develops in China and spreads throughout Japan

• Zen Buddhists value peace, simple living, nature, and beauty

Exit Ticket

• On 1/2 sheet of paper, answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1) How did Japan experience cultural diffusion? Describe two examples.

2) What is a major belief found in Shintoism?3) How did the Tokugawa shogunate influence

Japan?