Japan

Why is Japan…. Known as the “land of the rising sun”? Click to add notes Known as the “land of the rising sun”?

Geography Only 500 miles away from China Is an ARCHIPELAGO – a group of islands Name another Archipelago you know of Japan is made up of 4,000 islands!

Geographical ADVANTAGES Mild climate plenty of rainfall

Geographical DISADVANTAGES Very mountainous Only 15% of land is farmable Short in natural resources like: Coal, oil, iron Japan experiences typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis

SHINTO Shinto means = way of the gods Respected nature and the worship of ancestors Kami – divine spirits that dwelled in nature Beautiful tree, rock, waterfall Home of kami

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

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

Buddhism and Shinto began to get combined Japanese Buddhism Japan was impressed by Buddhism’s teachings, beautiful ceremonies and art Buddhism and Shinto began to get combined

Chinese Influence System of writing Ways of painting Followed Chinese styles of cooking, gardening, drinking tea and hairdressing Strong central government Tried the civil service exam but nobles were too powerful

The Samurai Soldiers became corrupt and attacked farmers and travelers Landowners surrounded themselves with bodyguards or SAMURAI (one who serves) Lived according to the BUSHIDO BUSHIDO – code of behavior or “the way of the warrior” Show courage Reverence to gods Protect those who were weaker Die an honorable death

Japan Decline Japan was attacked and taken over by the Mongols led by Kublai Khan