Sinification- to assimilate, spread, absorb or have traditional Chinese culture thrust upon you. During the Tang-Song Dynasties (and even before) China’s hegemony had a great impact on its neighborsTo the South and East. One of the driving forces… Buddhism

China had been a dominant force in the region for over a thousand yearsAnd through conquest, trade and emulation, its neighbors will selectivelyAdopt many political, economic and cultural components of its way of life

It is important to note, however, that ethnocentrism, location and resistanceBy Japan, Korea and Viet Nam will lead to unique differences amongst The individualized Sinification process. Here is a basic overview of aProcess some are saying exists today:•Japan- emulation, assimilation, no direct contact with China•Korea- tributary states, Kingdom of Silla a vassal state to China•Viet Nam – direct colonization, resistance and autonomy no match for •Subsequent Qin, Han and Tang Dynasties

• Japan borrowed much from Chinese culture including Buddhism, Confucianism, and writing

• 646 CE - Japanese emperor introduced the Taika Reforms intended to remake Japanese government along Chinese lines including using a scholar-gentry

• Chinese influence challenged at all levels of Japanese society including nobles, Buddhists, and peasants

• Buddhist dominance caused emperor to flee Nara and establish new capital at Heian

• Buddhists re-established power at court

Buddha at Nara

• Court at HeianSocial status was

supreme goalLove affairs were

major preoccupation

Pursuit of beautyTale of the Genji -

written by Lady Murasaki

• Reforms abandoned• Bureaucracy staffed by

nobles• Nobles and Buddhists

nibbled away at imperial power

• Landed nobles and large landowners established private “kingdoms” replete with governments

• These mini-states were ruled by the Bushi from fortresses

• Bushi raised private armies

• Mounted knights- samurai- were loyal to local lords though often called upon to protect the emperor

• Bushi and samurai made up warrior class - food produced by serf-like peasants

• Battle evolved into duels of champions

• Rising power of Bushi and corresponding loss of power of emperor created feudal system

• Chinese influence declined as influence of the new warrior class increased

• Age of the WarlordsAshikaga shogunate established 1336Emperor refused to recognize it causing

Japan to erupt in civil warBy 1477, Japan divided into 300 kingdoms

ruled by DaimyoDaimyo built up kingdoms through irrigation,

trade and commerce, and construction projects

• Women lost power. Given in marriage to cement alliances

• Women encouraged to commit suicide if dishonored

• Zen Buddhism - stressed simplicity and discipline

• Zen Buddhism became basis for Japanese art

• Adopted Chinese Confucianism, Buddhism, and writing

• Alliance with China allowed Silla to subjugate neighboring kingdoms

• Silla resistance against Tang forces caused Tang to accept Silla as vassal state

• Silla borrowed much of Tang government practices

• Korea maintained independence until 20th century.

• Yi Dynasty lasted from 1392-1910

• Vietnamese had strong cultural identity

• Took care not to let borrowing from China dominate Vietnamese culture

• More willing to intermarry between different ethnic groups

• Women enjoyed greater freedom than Chinese

• Vietnam first came under Chinese domination during Han Dynasty

• Adopted bureaucracy including civil service exam

• Adopted Chinese agricultural techniques

• Adopted Chinese military organization and weaponry allowing them to conquer peoples to south and west

• Defeated the Indianized armies of the Khmer

• Gained independence after fall of the Tang

• Attempts by Ming Dynasty and Mongols to conquer Vietnam failed

• Buddhism became dominant religion – frustrating attempts of Vietnamese scholar-gentry to gain power like that in China

• South Vietnam became more populated and powerful

• Power struggle erupted between two powerful families: Trinh/north and Nguyen/south

• Struggle lasted centuries

Sinification Similarities and Differences

Japan Korea Viet Nam

Zen BuddhismNeo- Confucian patriarchyEmulation but retention of cultural identityRegion aristocratic military warlords (Bushi) would dominant despite attempts at Chinese bureaucracy

BuddhismConfucian patriarchyVassal state of Silla maintains direct control as tributary statesChinese writing and dominance of regional aristocracy (despite attempts at Chinese bureaucracy)

BuddhismWomen struggle for more economic rolesDirectly controlled since Han Dynasty struggles for identity gains independence after Tang