The Spread of ChineseCivilization

Japan, Korea and Vietnam

“sinicization”In general contexts, Sinicization refers to the process of "becoming Chinese"

Borrowing from the neighbors

Japan has always looked to China as an influence

During 7th to 9th centuries this was intense

Taika reforms tried to make Japanese government more like China

Intellectuals and aristocrats absorbed Chinese culture

The common people looked to Buddhism for comfort

The Taika reforms were resisted by the aristocracy

After a takeover attempt the Taika reforms were abandoned, local lords started their own armies

The Heian Era- Court Life

A new capital was started at KyotoThere were strict rules for lifePoetry flourished, Chinese script was

modifiedWomen were very involved in court life

Lady Murasaki

The Tale of Genji

This was the first novel published anywhere, it is a story of love and intrigue in the Imperial court

The Decline of Imperial Power

Aristocratic families began to take more and more control

Fujiwara family came to dominatePeasants and artisans lost even more

power

The Warrior Elite

Warrior leaders (BUSHI) governed and taxed their lands for themselves, not the court

They created their own armies- SAMURAI “one who serves”

By 11th century samurai were widespread

The warrior code valued honor and courage above all

Seppuku (ritual suicide) was considered the way to maintain honor in defeat

Peasants lost even more powerThey became serfsThey could not move up in

classMany looked to pure land

Buddhism for comfort

Declining influence of ChinaBy 838 the Japanese cut ties

with Tang ChinaThe Gempei wars caused great

sufferingThe Minamoto emerged

victoriousMilitary govt. (Bakufu)

established at KamakuraJapan became a feudal state

After the Minamoto the Hojo family came to power (Shogun)

The emperor and Minamoto became puppet rulers

Civil wars followed for 10 years Japan broke into 300

competing states run by warlords (Daimyos)

TOMOE GOZEN

Comparing Japanese and European Feudalism

Both rose due to weak central governments.

Both were based on mutual obligations and military needs

There were differences- In Japan family and social bonds were very strong

Losing in battle was the worst disgrace

Military divisions/ Social Change

15th and 16th century Warfare became deadlier and constant

Daimyos gained more power, the economy grew.

A new class of wealthy merchants emerged.

Women lost almost all power with rare exceptions

KOREA

KoreaThe Tang ruled Korea till

668,remained independent till early 20th century

During Silla alliance period China had its greatest influence

Art, learning and manufacture were borrowed

Some Koreans studies for Confucian exams, but most jobs were determined by family connections

Most of Korean society was dominated by a small aristocratic elite

All groups below them served them- ‘low born’ virtual slaves

Periodic revoltsThe burdens on the

commoners caused periodic revolts

A century of conflict till YI dynasty established in 1392

Maintained ties with ChinaIt lasted till 1910

SOUTHEAST ASIA VIETNAM

Southeast Asia - VietnamChina pushed south into their

territoryViet people resisted the Chinese,

they had a strong culture and were far from the Chinese center

They took what they wanted from Chinese culture

The Han dynasty demanded tribute, later they conquered and ruled directly

Viets were sent to school in ChinaThere were some revolts,

peasants never wanted Chinese control

Trung sisters led a revolt in 39 C.E.

"All the male heroes bowed their heads in submission;Only the two sisters proudly stood up to avenge the country."15th century Poem

The great distance from China helped

By 939 Korea was independentLocal scholar gentry never had

the same power as in ChinaLocals Viet officials favored the

peasants and village rulers instead of the ruling dynasty

Struggle for Control

Two main powers Trihn- centered in HanoiNguyen- centered in HueFought for 200 years

SummaryJapan, Korea and Vietnam were

influenced most because they had large farming centers

Writing, bureaucracy, religion, art were all influenced China

Each culture was mixed in how much they borrowed

Korea- political submission and cultural dependence

Vietnam- conquest and control for a 1000 years

Japan escaped direct rule, but Japan adopted many aspects of Chinese arts and government, then modified them