Civilizations of Asia (500-1650) Topic 3, Lesson 5 The Island Kingdom of Japan
Explain how geography set Japan apart. Civilizations of Asia (500-1650) Topic 5, Lesson 5 The Island Kingdom of Japan Learning Objectives Explain how geography set Japan apart. Understand how China influenced Japan, and describe the Heian period. Summarize the Japanese feudal system. Explain how the Tokugawas united Japan. Identify how Zen Buddhism shaped culture in Japan.
archipelago Tsunamis Shinto selective borrowing Kana Murasaki Shikibu Home Learning: Vocabulary Topic 3, Lesson 5 The Island Kingdom of Japan Key Terms archipelago Tsunamis Shinto selective borrowing Kana Murasaki Shikibu Samurai Bushido Zen
Bell Ringer:
Key in its development as a culture Japan’s Geography Japan is an archipelago, or chain of islands, about 100 miles off the Asian mainland and east of the Korean peninsula. Japan's isolation Key in its development as a culture
The Sea Sets Japan Apart The Pacific Ring of Fire Japan’s Geography Read pg. 208-209 A Mountainous Land The Sea Sets Japan Apart The Pacific Ring of Fire 6. Integrate Information: How did Japan avoid being dominated by Chinese armies and influences?
Bell Ringer: Tsunamis in Japan What is a tsunami? What effect does tsunamis have on island nations? How can island nations prepare for tsunamis?
Mountainous Land Most land too mountainous to farm, therefore most people settled along the coast Mountains prevented Japanese from uniting
Sea Sets Japan Apart Seas protected and isolated Japan Closed enough to Korea and China to trade, but too far for them to conquer Japan Seas allowed for trade, especially among the Japanese islands The seas provided enough food resources
The Pacific Ring of Fire Japan lies in the Ring of Fire—a region subject to earthquakes and volcanoes. Underwater earthquakes lead to tsunamis. Japan has experienced many tsunamis, which are caused by earthquakes in the sea floor that send out huge surges of water that come ashore with destructive force. This one shows the 2011 Tsunami https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWzdgBNfhQU
Early Japan Japanese people likely migrated from the Asian mainland more than 2,000 years ago. They slowly pushed the earlier inhabitants, the Ainu, onto the northernmost island of Hokkaido.
Activity: Early Japan Read pg.209-210 The Yamato Clan Shinto: A Religion of Nature Contact With Korea 7. Connect: How did the Yamato clan affect Japan? 8. Identify Cause and Effect: Explain why the Japanese language is related to Korean. Use text details to support your answer.
Yamato Clan Japanese society was divided into uji (clans)—each uji had its own chief and god or goddess. The Yamato clan came to dominate Japan in the 500s Set up Japan’s only dynasty—the rising sun became their symbol Japanese emperors were revered as Gods
Early Japan Since A.D. 500, the Japanese emperor has traced his lineage through one clan. Here, the Japanese royal family poses around 1900.
Shinto: A Religion of Nature Early Japanese honored kami (natural or divine spirits) Worshipping these spirits became known as Shinto— “The way of kami” Today its not a major religion, but plenty of Shinto shrines exist in Japan usually dedicated to objects, such as mountains, ancient trees, waterfalls, etc.
Contact With Korea Japanese language is related to Korean, but different from Chinese Korea and Japan proximity allowed for cultural exchange—pottery, metalwork, language, etc. Missionaries from Korea introduced Buddhism
Chinese Influence in Japan In the early 600s, Prince Shotoku of the Yamato clan decided to learn about China directly instead of through Korean sources. He sent young nobles to study in China. Over the next 200 years, many Japanese students, monks, traders, and officials visited the Tang court. Prince Shotoku was an advisor to Empress Suiko. He revolutionized Japan by creating a government based on Chinese practices and Buddhist teachings.
Culture (clothing, food, music, etc.) Chinese Influence in Japan Read pg. 210-211 “Japan Imports Ideas from Tang China” and “Selective Borrowing” Categories Identify the Ideas Japan Borrow From China Government/Law 1. 2. 3. Cities Culture (clothing, food, music, etc.) Religion Confucius Philosophy 3 Architecture
Japan’s Feudal Age While the Emperor ruled his court at Heian, rival clans batted for control of the countryside. Local warlords were loyal to these clans, rather than the Emperor As these armies struggled for power, Japan created a feudal system. As in medieval Europe, a warrior aristocracy (nobles) dominated Japanese society.
Japan’s Feudal Age In the 1100s, daimyo Yoshitsune Minamoto (center) appeals to the shogun for forgiveness after being defeated in battle. The shogun refused.
Japan’s Feudal Age
Japanese Feudal Culture Evolves During Japan’s feudal age, a Buddhist sect from China won widespread acceptance among samurai. Known in Japan as Zen, it emphasized self-reliance, meditation, and devotion to duty.
Japanese Feudal Culture Evolves Zen Beliefs Artistic Traditions Change New Drama Develops Literature Painting and Printmaking
Japanese Feudal Culture Evolves This painting, Flowers of the Four Seasons (ink and watercolor on gold leafed paper), by Shiko Watanabe (1683–1755) demonstrates the Zen ideal of subtle suggestion.
Quiz: Japan’s Geography Why do tsunamis pose a great threat to Japan? A. They cause the Ring of Fire to get worse. B. They create hurricane strength winds that sweep inland into populated areas. C. They occur at the same time volcanoes erupt. D. They strike coastal areas where many Japanese live.
Quiz: Early Japan How did the Yamato clan affect Japan in the long term? A. They developed Shinto and helped it spread to other countries. B. Their homeland became the center of Japanese government, and they established Japan’s only dynasty. C. They warred frequently with Korea and China, until finally defeating them. D. They sent Buddhist missionaries to Korea, where it became the national religion.
Quiz: Chinese Influence in Japan Why did Japan adopt elements of Chinese society? A. They believed some Chinese practices were superior to theirs. B. The Chinese invaded Japan and forced their ways on the Japanese. C. The Koreans adopted Chinese customs first. D. Japanese society and government were failing and needed to be replaced.
Quiz: Japanese Culture in the Heian Period Why did the Fujiwara have to use marriage to gain power? A. They could not perform traditional religious ceremonies. B. They could not produce great works of literature. C. Their heirs could not become emperors. D. Their marriages established elaborate rules of etiquette.
Quiz: Japan’s Feudal Age Why did the shogun hold all the real power in the 1400s? A. The Emperor was not descended from other emperors. B. He controlled all the land in Japan. C. The samurai were unorganized and disloyal. D. Military strength was the only real power at the time.
Quiz: A United Japan What was the main reason that the population of Japan increased after a central government was imposed? A. Fewer people died during constant warfare. B. People can travel freely from their homes to the capital. C. Agriculture improved due to lack of war. D. Merchants began to lend money to daimyo and samurai.
Quiz: Japanese Feudal Culture Evolves Why did new artistic traditions most likely develop following the end of the earlier feudal period of warfare? A. These traditions came out of military culture. B. People now found time and money for the arts. C. They were an extension of control of the population. D. They appealed to the lawless nature of the Japanese.