Japan & Mongolia Vocabulary Unit 8

Archipelago Group of islands

Mainland Area that is part of a continent **China and Korea are Japan’s neighbors on the Asian mainland**

Clan Group of families with a common ancestor

Kami A holy being that represents a spirit of nature, sacred place, ancestor, or clan in Japanese culture

Regent Someone who governs a country in the name of a ruler who is unable to rule, often because of age (Prince Shotoku- regent for his aunt)

Figurehead When someone appears to be in charge, but someone else was really in control

Shogun Title given to supreme military commanders

Feudalism Social system in which landowners granted people land or other rewards in exchange for military service or labor Spelled out relationships among different classes of people

Daimyo Wealthy land-owning lords

Samurai Highly trained warriors

Bushido Meaning ‘personal honor’, and was a strict code of conduct that guided samurai behavior.

Kabuki Dramatic Japanese plays that had beautiful costumes and sets. Kabuki actors are all men.

Confucianism Described as a philosophy, a religion, a way of governing, or simply a way of life Came from traditional Chinese society

Shinto Traditional religion of Japan. Literally means “the way of the gods”.

Shrine Places of worship. Thousands still exist today.

Japanese Buddhism Spread from India, China, Korea, and arrived to Japan. Shinto gods are present in Japanese Buddhism.

Mantra Sacred word, chant, or sound that is repeated over and over to advance one’s spiritual growth- seen in Buddhism and Shintoism

Mongols Nomadic tribes who formed together to create an empire Terrifying warriors Invaded a large majority of Asia

Steppes Large flat area of grasslands- where the Mongols originated

Khan Title given to Muslim rulers

Barbarian Member of a tribe not belonging to a great civilization Thought to be uncivilized and wild