Japan Project January 5, 2012 Kelly Luevano INFLUENCES ON JAPAN: HOW IT EFFECTED THEIR LIVES

Table of Contents Prince Shotoku……………………………………………………….1 Japanese Buddhism…………………………………………………2 Feudal Japan…………………………………..…………………….3 The Role of the Samurai: In the Military Society……………… Golden Age of Literature, Art, and Drama…………………………5 Index…………………………………………………………………7

Prince Shotoku Prince Shotoku made a big impact on Japan’s way of living. He served as a regent for his aunt, Empress Suiko. Prince Shotoku admired the Chinese culture all his life. Taking advantage of being a regent, he sent scholars to China and Korea so that they can learn more about their culture. The scholars brought back information that changed Japan forever. One thing the scholars brought to Japan was about Confucius. He out lined the ways families should behave. As well as having men from China and Korea came to stay in Japan to teach them about their ways. The whole ‘Japan Project’ helped change Japan’s government, language, religion, and philosophy. 1

Japanese Buddhism Buddhism entered Japan in the mid 6 th century from Korea. Later, Buddhism split into sects, Zen Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism. People who believed in Pure land Buddhism believed in happiness in afterlife for all. This religion was most popular among poor people. They oriented practices and concepts of the religion. People who believed in Zen Buddhism, believed that physical and mentally exercise is key. They practiced meditating to clear the mind of wrong thoughts and desires. 2

Feudal Japan Shogun Daimyo Samurai Peasants They are military and political leaders of Japan. Also called “Great General’s” Are high ranking samurai lords who provided the shogun with warriors in exchange for land They are the lowest class and work the land for their lord. Are lower ranking warriors who serve their daimyo in exchange for small manors 3

The Role of the Samurai: In the Military Society Samurai’s started training during their childhood at schools combining physical training, Chinese studies, poetry, and spiritual discipline. The young warriors also studied Kendo, which is “The Way of the Sword,” the moral code of the samurai, and Zen Buddhism. Samurais were expected to live according to Bushido, “The Way of the Warriors,” which is a strict ethical code influence by Confucianism. “The Way of the Warriors” stresses frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and honor unto death. 4

Golden Age of Literature, Art & Drama The Japanese didn’t have a written language. Chinese representatives taught them how to write in Chinese, but they still spoke in Japanese. Two hundred years later, people revised it in Japanese- they used Chinese characters to represent the sounds used in Japanese. For many years, Chinese was Japan’s official language. Writing was very popular among nobles, especially among women. These women wrote in Japanese. The men usually wrote in the Chinese language. In early Japanese history, Lady Murasaki Shikibu, wrote one of the world’s oldest novels in 1000 named “The Tale of Genji”. The novel described the daily lives, customs, and attitudes of Japanese nobles at the time. In the this book, there were paintings that illustrated scenes from the story. Around the time the book was written, some popular forms of art in the Heian period 5

was calligraphy. The nobles of Heian greatly admired Chinese architecture. They copied the building styles featuring buildings with wooden frames usually curved upward and unpainted, and thatched roofs for that natural feel. Performing arts was popular during the Heian period. People gathered to watch musicians, jugglers, and acrobats. Centuries later, those types of performances became a more serious form called Noh. Noh play had music, speaking, and dancing to tell about hero’s or figures from Japan’s past. A Noh stage 6

Index Empress Suiko- Prince Shotoku’s aunt empress. Scholars- A person who is well educated about a certain branch of study. Confucius- He is a Chinese philosopher who stressed the importance of loyalty and filial piety. Buddhism- A religion believing life is permeated with suffering caused by want or desire. Nobles- A person in a class with high social or political status. 7

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