Chapter 15: Japan Section 1: Geography and Early Japan Section 2: Art and Culture in Heian Section 3: Growth of a Military Society

Section 1 Geography and Early Japan Islands Largest is Honshu Mountain and Volcanoes Seafood Islands separated from other Asian people Korea (100 mi) and China (200 mi) are very close to Japan, but not attached

Early Japan There were two cultures: Ainu (EYE-noo) in the North and who became Japanese in the South Lived in Clans Yamato rulers were the most powerful and called themselves emperors Believed in kami (KAH-mee) Traditional religion was Shinto Rulers of Japans sent missionaries to Korea and China to learn about other cultures Japanese wrote in Chinese first Prince Shotoku (shoh-toh-koo) served as a regent, loved Chinese culture Built Buddhist temples Confucianism spread throughout Japan Koreans had introduced Buddhism to Japan, but Shotoku helped spread it

Section 2 Art and Culture in Heian A court was built in Heian (Kyoto) by the nobles and became a center of culture and learning. Nobles lived apart from poorer citizens and called themselves “dwellers among the clouds.” Nobles: Beauty and elegance Valued their appearances (silk robes/gowns, gold jewelry, and decorative fans) Great care in how they spoke and wrote (men in Chinese and women in Japanese)

Literature and Arts Lady Murasaki Shikibu (moohr-ah-sahk-ee shee-kee-boo) wrote The Tale of Genji Considered the world’s 1st full-length novel (Japan’s greatest) Paintings (bright, bold color and nature) Calligraphy (decorative writing) Architecture (copied Chinese buildings Noh plays (music, speaking and dance)

Zen Buddhism Religion became an art form in Japan Pure Land Buddhism (no rituals) Zen Buddhism came from China and wisdom comes from self-discipline and meditation. This became popular in Japan, especially among the warriors.

Section 3 Growth of a Military Society Nobles and rebel were fighting for land and power in Japan. Japan’s rulers were too focused on courtly life to notice other problems in their country. So…Japan’s large landowners decided they needed to protect their lands and a new social class is created.

This system and social class is similar to what system in Europe? Samurai comes from the Japanese word servant Though two major clans fought for almost 30 years, the Minamoto clan won. The Minamoto leader established the shogun title.

The Samurai Lived honorably Respected No Entertainment Could be killed if you disrespect a Samurai No Entertainment No trade or Commerce Must follow Bushido “the way of the warrior” Live simple, but disciplined Bushido influenced much of Japanese society Values: Loyalty, Bravery, and Honor A samurai’s entire family, men and women learned how fight to protect

Mongols attack Japan Mongolian invasion helped Japanese nobles put aside their differences to fight the enemy. The weather help Japanese warrior combat the Mongols and the Mongols never invaded again. The grateful Japanese called the storms “kamikaze” or divine wind. After the war, nobles began to resent the shogun’s power over them.

Samurai Order Changes Emperor fights shogun for control. Daimyo fought to break free from shogun. Shoguns lost power by 1400s and daimyo ruled much of Japan. Japan unifies 1st leader was Oda Nobunaga (ohd-ah noh-booh-nah-gah) Solders had guns Tokugawa leyasu (toh-koohg-ah-wuh ee-e-yahs-ooh) became shogun after fighting off enemies Ruled all of Japan Opened up Japan to the rest of the world Became known as Tokugawa Shogunate

Isolation Some shoguns feared that Japan would become too much like Europe and shoguns could lose their power. Japanese rulers banned guns with fear peasants would revolt. Isolation with limited technology allowed samurai period in Japan to last until the 1800s.