Grade 7

Japan contains 3000 islands. The largest islands in Japan include Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu, Honshu. Japan is separated from Russia by a mere 186 miles. Korea is 124 miles, and China is not too far from there. Japan is about the size of California.

Japan was quite isolated. Because of such a wide separation from other countries. Japan was able to develop it’s own culture unlike many others. Arts were about to develop on their own. ( such as this pottery masterpiece)

Korea gave Buddhism to Japan. While Japan was isolated, it did gain many influences from China and Korea. This influence allowed for Chinese cultures that were out of practice to be remembered. Coins, Chinese language principles, taking notes on history, and a centralized government were borrowed from the Chinese. Korea gave Buddhism to Japan.

Nara (710-794) AD Yamato (About 250-538) Ruled by Emperor Capital was moved several time throughout the time period. Yamato (About 250-538) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4rWWtSWf_k&fe ature=player_embedded

The capital was moved to Nara in 710 They copied many different Chinese cultural aspects Buddhism History started to be recorded during the Nara period The Manyoshu Collection of poetry 759

Also worshiped during the Yamato(Kofun) period Buddhism Embraced and developed within Japan. Arrived from Korea and soon from China. Was the last country to adopt Buddhist practices. There was some resistance to the ideas of Buddhism, but was soon adopted during the Nara period. Prince Shotoku was one of the first people to adopt Buddhism in Japan. Also worshiped during the Yamato(Kofun) period

Shintoism Created around 500 B.C Beliefs Sacred places Tells the story of the divine Japanese deities “Kami” Sacred places Mountains, springs, and any other peaceful places in nature (In background is Shinto Torri Gate)

Similarities to Buddhism Shintoism Four affirmations Family: traditions the form of celebration in the family Adoration of nature: sacred; they believed that if you are in nature than you are close to God Physical cleanliness: they valued being clean “Matsuri”: worship of the deities and spirits Similarities to Buddhism They both expressed the value of human nature

Temples formed to worship Buddhism. The Yamato Period valued decorating and honoring the deceased's’ burial mounds Clay sculptures (haniwa) Figures of nature Furnished the graves with jewelry, stones, and metal Temples formed to worship Buddhism. Buddhist statues made of bronze. This Colossal Buddha is an example of this as Japan experienced a sense of prosperity. Political unity allowed for the arts to prosper.

Brought together Japan in 300 A.D Occupied present-day Osaka Many new ideas come from their region Osaka rested on the southwestern peninsula on Honshu Located on the Yamato Plain.

Review Who was one of the first people to embrace Buddhism in Japan? Prince Shotoku What was the significance of the Torii Gates? To signify the entrance into a more holy place. From where did the Japanese receive the ideas of Buddhism? From Korea. * *

http://www.echigonagaoka.com/turbot/isl/map_of_japan.GIF http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1975.268.425 http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/japan/GEOGRAPHY.html http://isobe.typepad.com/sketchpad/images/rice_paddy.jpg http://www.herdaily.com/blogimg/recipes/japanese%20rice.jpg http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/6036012.jpg http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/early-japanese-buddhism.html http://www.religioustolerance.org/shinto.htm http://tiger3.net/periods/Kofun.html http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/history/japan-kofun-period.cfm http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/history/japan-nara-period.cfm http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/750c9/ed6ce/ http://m.wikitravel.org/en/Japan http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread630706/pg2 http://epistemic-forms.com/Online-course/Course%20Files/What-social-forces-operate-among-Asian- Englishes.html http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/asna/hd_asna.htm http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/bender4/eall131/EAHReadings/module02/m02japanese.html#part2 http://www.123rf.com/photo_534332_japanese-letter-ai-meaning-love.html

Work Cited (cont.) http://www.sarudama.com/japanese_history/jushichijokenpo.shtml * *