The Emergence of Japan World History

Social structure & daily life Rise of the Shogun Geography Social structure & daily life Early Japan Emergence of Japan Nara & Heian Periods Religion

Geography Archipelago of 4000 islands (4 main ones) with 12% arable land 146,000 square miles (size of Montana or California) Few natural resources Temperate climate, & mountainous; prone to earthquakes, floods, typhoons, & volcanic eruptions Geographically isolated; ocean/seas provided food and protection (harvest sea urchins)

Early Japan Kyushu 1st island inhabited; tribal society of farmers with an aristocratic class Creation myth – sun goddess call Amaterasu (each emperor claimed to be a descendant) Yamato clan rules Japan (A.D. 400), & emperor is a ceremonial religious figure Prince Shotoku rules Japan (A.D. 593) – writes a constitution & converts to Buddhism Centralized political system & sent missions to China (constant threat) Chinese culture influences Japan: Confucianism, written characters, Buddhism, civil service, and government

Nara & Heian Period Capital moved to Nara (710) Calligraphy, literature (Tale of the Genji – 1st novel), & poetry Aristocracy dominates with the Fujiwara clan becoming powerful Capital moved to Heian (Kyoto) in 794 – becomes the imperial capital Bushi maintained own military Rise of samurai w/feudalism (lesser nobility and military retainers) - lived by Bushido (w/seppuku) and were loyal military retainers/lesser nobility Taika reforms - attempt to revamp imperial administration along Chinese lines (eventually rejected)

Rise of the Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo becomes 1st shogun (Kamakura) in Tokyo; eventually overthrown after establishing bakufu Decline of imperial power; Mongols invade in 1274 & 1281 (with 150,000); typhoon destroys fleet (twice); “divine wind” or kamikaze protects Japanese people Gempei Wars (1100s) – peasants vs. samurai & Minamoto vs. Taira; countryside destroyed Daimyo’s (warlords each with a kingdom - #300) power grows; collects taxes for irrigation – have castles or fortresses like in Europe Civil war (1467-1477); shogunate collapses

Social Structure & Daily Life Farming society; the masses were peasant farmers who became serfs Merchants and artisan guilds arose (for men and women) Traded paper, pearls, lumber, gold, painted fans, iron casting, porcelain, silk, books, swords, etc. Japanese elite enjoyed life of leisure & court ritual Early art imitated Chinese art, but then became uniquely Japanese (tea ceremony and decorative gardens)

Religion Worshipped nature spirits (animism) or kami - evolves into Shinto Divinity of the emperor - serves as a figurehead from Kyoto Buddhism arrives from China (6th cent.) & mixes with Shinto Most Japanese become Shinto & Buddhist – can be both Zen Buddhism becomes most popular

Korea Most profoundly influenced by China (& longest) Descended from hunting & herding peoples of eastern Siberia & Manchuria Earliest Korean kingdom – Choson in the north Koguryo people established independent kingdom in north Kingdoms of Silla and Paekche fight wars w/Koguryo – weakens each other & Tang dynasty conquers (allied w/Silla)

Korea Chinese withdraw in 668 – Silla left in power & Korea remains independent until 20th century (off & on) Sinification (adoption of Chinese culture) hits Korea – Buddhism, Chinese writing; also porcelain (celadon) & printing, but became better than Chinese Tribute system used by Chinese instead of invasion – Korea sent embassies, kowtowed, offered gifts to Chinese - (ensured peace) Had access to Chinese learning, art , & manufactured goods

Vietnam Conquered by China in 2nd century Maintained unique identity & culture – dressed differently, language, village autonomy, nuclear family; women had greater freedom & influence than in China Considered “barbarians” by Chinese Conquered by the Han Chinese – assimilation & diffusion through Chinese troops and administrators (bureaucracy, agriculture, schools, & military)

Vietnam Revolts – Trung sisters in 39 C.E. – women were hostile to Confucian ideals 939 C.E. win independence & remains so until the French in 19th century (Mongol & Ming try, but fail) Expansion & division – north vs. south, Nguyen vs. Trinh, defeated Khmer & Cham neighbors