Unit 3: Japan From Isolation to Adaptation

Unit Questions How did Japan’s geography shape people’s beliefs and values? In what ways did the isolation policy of the Edo period and contact with other cultures during the Meiji period affect the Japanese identity? What impact did contact with western cultures have on the Japanese worldview? What tensions can occur when a society must adapt to rapidity changing circumstances? How can different cultures learn to appreciate and benefit from each other?

Chapter 12 Shaping a Unique Worldview

Elements of the Worldview Affected Geography Time Beliefs Values

The Land of the Rising Sun Japanese Creation Myth Long ago all the elements were mixed together with one germ of life. This germ began to mix things around and around until the heavier part sank and the lighter part rose. A muddy sea that covered the entire earth was created. From this ocean grew a green shoot. It grew and grew until it reached the clouds and there it was tranformed into a god. Soon this god grew lonely and it began to create other gods. The last two gods it made, Izanagi anf Izanami, were the most remarkable. One day as they were walking along they looked down on the ocean and wondered what was beneath it. Izanagi thrust his staff into the waters and as he pulled it back up some clumps of mud fell back into the sea. They began to harden and grow until they became the islands of Japan. The two descended to these islands and began to explore, each going in different directions. They created all kinds of plants. When they met again they decided to marry and have children to inhabit the land. The first child Izanami bore was a girl of radiant beauty. The gods decided she was too beautiful to live in Japan, so they put her up in the sky and she became the sun. Their second daughter, Tsuki-yami, became the moon and their third and unruly son, Sosano-wo, was sentenced to the sea, where he creates storms. Later, their first child, Amaterasu, bore a son who became the emperor of Japan and all the emperors since then have claimed descent from him.

The Land of the Rising Sun The Japanese people refer to their homeland as the “Land of the Rising Run”. The sun goddess, Amaterasu brings hope to the people of Japan each morning when she rises into the sky. All Emperors of Japan are said to be the descendent of Amaterasu. All emperors of Japan are said to be divine (god-like), he represents the gods on earth.

The Land of the Rising Sun Japan is about 60% the size of Alberta, however, it has always had a much larger population that Alberta’s. – In the 1600s Japan’s population was 12,000,000 – Albert’s current population is 4.1 million – Japan’s current population is 126,000,000 80% of Japan’s land is covered by forested mountains and steep valleys (these areas are not inhabited). Only 18% of the land is suitable for living, this entire space fits their entire population.

A Land Apart Japan is an archipelago (a chain of islands) made up of 4 main island and over 3000 smaller island. This means they have no land borders or neighbors. Japans nearest nations are Korea, China, and Russia. Japan is isolated (separated)

A Land Apart The 185km of ocean between Japan and continental Asia is a patch of very rough water, making is very difficult to travel historically. The west coast of Japan (close to Asia) also has less natural bays/harbors/inlets than the east coast (one closest to USA/Canada). Historically we can see that Japan and the Chinese had contact as early as the 200s.

Adopting and Adapting Elements of Culture Japan’s culture is a mixture of ideas and functions they learned from cultures. – Their style of writing is from the Chinese kanji – Originally the Japanese actually used the Chinese language, over time they created the Japanese language called kana

Nature Shaping a Worldview The Beauties of Nature – The natural world have always been a great source of pride for the Japanese people. – Many rituals (special ceremonies), mark the changing of the seasons and play a major role in the Japanese way of life. – Cherry Blossom trees are held in very sacred regard, they represent New Beginnings Beauty The Shortness and beauty of life

Nature Shaping a Worldview Nature and the Ainu – Nature has a dominant role in the culture of the Ainu (pronounced Eye-noo), Japan’s indigenous people. – The Ainu regard things such as fire, water, wind, thunder, animals, and plants as gods called Kamuy (kuh-moo-ee) who visit the Earthly world. The brown bear is one of the most important kamuy

Nature Shaping a Worldview Shinto: The Way of the Spirits – Shinto: is the ancient religion of Japan – The love of nature is the most important aspect of Shinto. Flower arranging Garden planning – Shinto is based on the belief that sacred spirits called Kami take on the form of objects in nature such as trees, mountains, and stones. The sun goddess Amaterasu is the most important Kami – Human beings become kami when they die and are honored by their families.

Nature Shaping a Worldview Shinto: The Way of the Spirits – Festivals called matusuri (muhts-ree) are held throughout the year to honor the kami. The spring and fall festivals are the most important. – Shinto does not have a founder or any religious laws. The Japanese turned to Buddhism and Confucianism from China for these elements of religion. When Buddhism and Confucianism mixed with Shinto, they created a uniquely Japanese belief system.

Nature Shaping a Worldview The Dark Side of Nature – Extreme and dangerous aspects of nature can also shape a cultures worldview. – Japan is located in the “Ring of Fire”, a region on their earth bordering the Pacific Ocean where tectonic plates and continents meet. Earthquakes, Tsunamis (massive destructive waves) and Volcanic eruptions frequently hit Japan.

Deadliest Japanese Disasters

A Self-Sufficient Country Self-Sufficient: being able to provide for yourself Resources and Climate: – Japan had little to no trade with other countries before 1853 and it was still able to survive and prosper, how? Farms and Fishing provided food Forests provided wood Silkworms and cotton provided clothing Skilled workers provided goods

A Self-Sufficient Country Resources and Climate: – Although Japan’s land was largely uninhabitable, the land was very fertile arable (farmable) land. Warm temperatures and plenty of rain allowed for ideal growing conditions. Japan only has short winters which made it easy to provide enough food to survive.

A Self-Sufficient Country Rice: Symbol of a Country – Rice was the main food of Japan. Even today’s modern Emperor tends his own rice plants. – Growing rice is very labor intensive and requires a lot of rain, luckily Japan frequently is hit with monsoons (massive wind and rain storms). – For centuries Japan also used rice as a currency. The value of land was relative to how much rice it could produce, the value of an individual was determined by how much rice they had. Fish is the main source of protein for Japan

A Self-Sufficient Country A Homogenous Society – The Japanese people pride themselves on being a homogenous society (sharing the same values, beliefs, and culture), despite having such a wide arrange of different climates and environments. – Most Japanese people lived near the sea which gave them a common way of life.

A Self-Sufficient Country A Distinct People: – The Ainu people typically resided in the northern parts (called the Ezochi, or “Land of the Ezo”) of Japan for several thousands of years. – Eventually the southern Japanese (possibly of Korean disent) people expanded north and overtook the Ainu lands through a series of wars. – They renamed the island of Ezochi Hokkaido. – The Japanese people began to assimilate the Ainu (made them similar) The Ainu were forbidden from: – Speaking their language – Practice their customs – Had to live on reserves – Were forced to farm (traditionally were a hunting/fishing people)

Ainu vs Japanese