CH 13 The Spread of Chinese Civilization Japan

CH 13 The Spread of Chinese Civilization 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 7 th to 9 th 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 Kyoto £There were strict rules for life £Poetry flourished, Chinese script was modified £Women 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 dominate £Peasants 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 11 th 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 power £They became serfs £They could not move up in class £Many looked to pure land Buddhism for comfort

Declining influence of China £By 838 the Japanese cut ties with Tang China £The Gempei wars caused great suffering £The Minamoto emerged victorious £Military govt. (Bakufu) established at Kamakura £Japan 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 £ 15 th and 16 th 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

Korea £The Tang ruled Korea till 668, remained independent till early 20 th 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 revolts £The burdens on the commoners caused periodic revolts £A century of conflict till YI dynasty established in 1392 £Maintained ties with China £It lasted till 1910

SOUTHEAST ASIA VIETNAM

Southeast Asia - Vietnam £China pushed south into their territory £Viet 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 China £There 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. " 15 th century Poem

£The great distance from China helped £By 939 Korea was independent £Local scholar gentry never had the same power as in China £Locals Viet officials favored the peasants and village rulers instead of the ruling dynasty

Struggle for Control £Two main powers £Trihn- centered in Hanoi £Nguyen- centered in Hue £Fought for 200 years

Summary £Japan, 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