Japan Objectives The student will demonstrate knowledge of

Japan

Objectives 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?

Geography Chain of islands between Sea of Japan & the Pacific Ocean Four large islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, & Kyushu) Mountains cover ¾ of Japan 3900 smaller islands Valleys between mountains are fertile (rice) Sea is also a main source of food

Geography 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

Early 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 5 th century, the Yamato clan established itself as the leading clan Claimed to be descended from sun goddess, Amatersu By 7 th century called themselves the 1 st emperors of Japan Lacked real power but never overthrown

About 500 Around same time agriculture improved dramatically Chinese influences begin to appear

Influences from China Buddhism Brought to Japan by Korean travelers Imperial court accepted in mid 700 s By 8 th century had spread throughout Japan Combined both Shinto and Buddhist beliefs 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 Appreciated its teachings and the beauty and mystery of its ceremonies and art Buddhism is declared the state religion of Japan in 594 C. E. Confucianism from China

Selective Borrowing Prince Shotoku 607 C. E. Converted to Buddhism Sent “missions” to China to study Chinese civilization 1 st 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

Chinese influence 1 st 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

Influences from China Chinese building Architecture Japanese building

Influences from China 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

Heian Period (794 - 1185 C. E. ) 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 900 s A. D. Court manners, Amusements Décor , dress

Women’s Rights 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

Heian Period 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

Japanese Feudal System Most of Heian period the Fujiwara family held real power By 11 th 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

Japanese Feudal System 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 1100 s the two most powerful clans fought for power 1192 C. E. the emperor gave a Minamoto leader named Yoritomo title of 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

Samurai 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 “ 6 th sense”)

The Samurai Code 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)

Seppuku 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

Mongol Invasion 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