Japan Copyright © Clara Kim 2007. All rights reserved.

SOL Standards Essential 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?

Japan is influenced by the proximity of China and Korea Geography of Japan Located on an archipelago (chain of islands) Four main islands Only 500 miles from China & Korea

Separated from Asian mainland by the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea Mountainous terrain making about 15 percent of Japan is farmable.

Japan’s Major Religions Shinto Buddhism Shinto Ethnic religion unique to Japan. Japan’s earliest religion. Becomes Japan’s state religion. Venerates natural features, forces of nature and ancestors.

Torii A traditional Japanese gate that is found at the entry way into a Shinto shrine.

SHINTO Shinto means- way of the gods Respected nature and the worship of ancestors Worship the emperor as God Kami – divine spirits that dwelled in nature Beautiful tree, rock, waterfall-home of kami

Shinto and Buddhism Buddhism started in India -> China -> Korea -> Japan

China/Korea Influence on Japan Mahayana Buddhism Writing Architecture Painting Strong Central Government

Buddhism Buddhism spread from India to China Chinese forms of Buddhism spread to Korea and the to Japan Buddhism stressed meditation and the precise performance of everyday tasks.

Japanese Writing Based on Chinese characters, which first reached Japan through Korea.

Japanese Architecture Pagoda style architecture from China: sloping roofs

Japanese Art Reflected the values of Japanese society. Japan maintained the Chinese landscape art style.

Reflection Which of the following religions is characterized by a focus on the importance of natural features and worship of the emperor and is unique to Japan? A. Buddhism B. Shinto C. Confucianism D. Islam