The Main Idea
Japan initially borrowed many cultural elements form its neighbor China, such as: writing, Confucianism, Buddhism, and government. Beginning in the 8th century with the Heian Period, however, Japan took what it borrowed and used it to create a unique culture all its own. In time, the samurai warrior class came to dominate the country and the strong, centralized imperial government gave way to a feudal society of rival warlords
Classwork Packet
Notes 10 pts. each (6)
Test
Japan initially borrowed many cultural elements form its neighbor China, such as: writing, Confucianism, Buddhism, and government. Beginning in the 8th century with the Heian Period, however, Japan took what it borrowed and used it to create a unique culture all its own. In time, the samurai warrior class came to dominate the country and the strong, centralized imperial government gave way to a feudal society of rival warlords
Classwork Packet
Notes 10 pts. each (6)
Test
I. Early Japan: Prince Shotoku’s Reforms. (AD 600)
A.About 600 A.D., a prince named Shotoku, of the Yamato clan, became regent for his aunt, the Empress Suiko. A regent is someone who rules for someone else. B.Prince Shotoku was a reformer who wanted to change Japan. C.Shotoku created a constitution, or a written plan of government that gave more power to the emperor and allowed him to appoint officials. D.Shotoku sent officials and students to schools in China to learn about many subjects, including Confucianism and Chinese writing. E.Buddhism spread rapidly in Japan after its introduction to Japan by Korean monks and due to Shotoku’s encouragement and influence. F.Many Buddhist temples and monasteries were built, including Horyuji Temple, the world’s oldest wooden building.Summary: Tell who began Japan's period of cultural borrowing and describe three things Japan borrowed from China and Korea.
A.About 600 A.D., a prince named Shotoku, of the Yamato clan, became regent for his aunt, the Empress Suiko. A regent is someone who rules for someone else. B.Prince Shotoku was a reformer who wanted to change Japan. C.Shotoku created a constitution, or a written plan of government that gave more power to the emperor and allowed him to appoint officials. D.Shotoku sent officials and students to schools in China to learn about many subjects, including Confucianism and Chinese writing. E.Buddhism spread rapidly in Japan after its introduction to Japan by Korean monks and due to Shotoku’s encouragement and influence. F.Many Buddhist temples and monasteries were built, including Horyuji Temple, the world’s oldest wooden building.Summary: Tell who began Japan's period of cultural borrowing and describe three things Japan borrowed from China and Korea.
II. Japanese Animism: Shinto
A.Shinto is Japan’s original, native religion. B.Shinto is a form of animism, or belief that all natural things (mountains, rivers, people, etc.) have their own spirits. C.The spirits (or Gods) of Shinto are called Kami. The Japanese worship the Kami at shrines entered through a Torii gate. D.Japanese place offerings of food, wine, etc. for the Kami at the shrines and was before entering. E.The most important Kami was that of the sun goddess Amaterasu. According to Shinto myth, Japan’s first emperor was a grandson of this sun goddess. F.Japan’s emperors are the greatest living Kami and have a role as a religious figurehead (symbol) even more important than their role as political emperors.
Summary: Describe 3 characteristics of Shinto
A.Shinto is Japan’s original, native religion. B.Shinto is a form of animism, or belief that all natural things (mountains, rivers, people, etc.) have their own spirits. C.The spirits (or Gods) of Shinto are called Kami. The Japanese worship the Kami at shrines entered through a Torii gate. D.Japanese place offerings of food, wine, etc. for the Kami at the shrines and was before entering. E.The most important Kami was that of the sun goddess Amaterasu. According to Shinto myth, Japan’s first emperor was a grandson of this sun goddess. F.Japan’s emperors are the greatest living Kami and have a role as a religious figurehead (symbol) even more important than their role as political emperors.
Summary: Describe 3 characteristics of Shinto
III. The Heian Period: Japan’s Golden Age (794-1185)
A.In 794, The emperor moved Japan’s capital to the city of Heian to escape Buddhist influence.
B. This began the Heian Period, a Golden Age of art and culture in which Japan’s unique culture was born.
C. The wealthy courtiers, or members of the emperors court prized beauty, elegance, social position, and correct manners above all else.
D. Courtiers enjoyed watching Sumo wrestling, Noh Theater, and playing Go.
E. Painting flourished during the Heian Period.
F. Poetry, literature and calligraphy were the most valued forms of art.
G. Women wrote stories in Hiragana a simplified writing system used when there is no correct Kanji (borrowed Chinese) word.
H.Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji, the world’s first novel.
Summary: Describe 3 cultural elements created during Japan's Heian Period.
A.In 794, The emperor moved Japan’s capital to the city of Heian to escape Buddhist influence.
B. This began the Heian Period, a Golden Age of art and culture in which Japan’s unique culture was born.
C. The wealthy courtiers, or members of the emperors court prized beauty, elegance, social position, and correct manners above all else.
D. Courtiers enjoyed watching Sumo wrestling, Noh Theater, and playing Go.
E. Painting flourished during the Heian Period.
F. Poetry, literature and calligraphy were the most valued forms of art.
G. Women wrote stories in Hiragana a simplified writing system used when there is no correct Kanji (borrowed Chinese) word.
H.Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji, the world’s first novel.
Summary: Describe 3 cultural elements created during Japan's Heian Period.
IV. A Military Gov. :Feudal Japan (1185-1600)
A.The Military government of the Shoguns was a system known as feudalism.
B.Feudalism is a system of government based on the giving of land in exchange for promises of loyalty.
C.Here’s how it worked in Japan:
1.The Shogun ruled the country by giving large
pieces of land to samurai lords called Daimyo.
2. The Daimyo ruled their territory however
they wanted.
3. Daimyo created armies of samurai by giving
them pieces of land in exchange for their promise of loyalty.
4. Daimyo needed samurai to defend their
lands from other daimyo and their samurai.
D. Feudal Japan was a time of constant warfare as Daimyo fought each other to take over another daimyo’s
land.
E. War ended in 1600 when a powerful daimyo named Tokugawa Ieyasu united Japan under his rule and
became Shogun.
A.The Military government of the Shoguns was a system known as feudalism.
B.Feudalism is a system of government based on the giving of land in exchange for promises of loyalty.
C.Here’s how it worked in Japan:
1.The Shogun ruled the country by giving large
pieces of land to samurai lords called Daimyo.
2. The Daimyo ruled their territory however
they wanted.
3. Daimyo created armies of samurai by giving
them pieces of land in exchange for their promise of loyalty.
4. Daimyo needed samurai to defend their
lands from other daimyo and their samurai.
D. Feudal Japan was a time of constant warfare as Daimyo fought each other to take over another daimyo’s
land.
E. War ended in 1600 when a powerful daimyo named Tokugawa Ieyasu united Japan under his rule and
became Shogun.