Chapter 13 The Spread of Chinese Civilization: Japan, Korea and Vietnam

Chinese influence on surrounding areas was particularly prominent in agrarian-based societies, including Japan, Korea and Vietnam A tribute system formed the major channel of exchange between China and these civilizations. Besides Buddhism, Chinese imports were monopolized by the upper classes These societies were torn between emulating China and retaining their own distinct customs and institutions.

Japan I. Pattern of selective borrowing from China, which peaked in the postclassical era II. Taika reforms in the mid-600s were the most aggressive attempt to revamp the imperial administration to resemble China’s A. Examples: wrote dynastic histories, attempted to master Confucianism B. These reforms faced too much resistance by dominant groups and were eventually abandoned.

III. Elements Japan borrowed from China A. Court life: characterized by elaborate rituals, luxuries, aesthetic delights, strict codes of polite behavior, love affairs and rampant gossip (and female involvement in power struggles)

B. Poetry: most highly valued art of court life C. Lady Murasaki’s The Tale of Genji is the most famous, distinctly Japanese poem 1. Its content highlights the intricacies of court life 2. Court women in Japan had the unique opportunity to write novels and explore other creative outlets.

IV. Japanese Politics A. The emperor and the court isolated themselves with the rituals of court life. B. This gave elite provincial lords, called bushi, an opportunity to gain more land and influence in their regions, carving out little kingdoms and denying resources to the court.

C. Bushi built self-contained fortresses and created a feudal system similar to medieval Europe’s.

European versus Japanese feudalism Europe Lord/noble Knight Serfs Japan

European Fortress Japanese Fortress

Japanese fortress Constructed primarily of wood. Built on hill or mound. Defenses Bamboo Spikes Trapdoors Suspended logs from ropes to drop on attackers

European armor and weapons

Samurai armor

Samurai weapon: katana

Medieval Code of Chivalry Promoted ideal knighthood qualities: bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women. An honorable death was one in which a knight was killed in battle rather then admitting defeat.

D. Bushido: Samurai Warrior Code 1. Stressed family honor 2. Seppuku: suicide for defeated or disgraced warrior in front of enemy to restore his honor

E. As the imperial government’s power weakened and bandits became a problem, court officials hired bushi and their samurai as bodyguards. F. Bushis’ influence continued to grow as the power of the imperial and court aristocracy declined.

G. Eventually, the emperor nominally remained in power but essentially handed over control to a bushi family, thus forming a shogunate (military government) – bushi were now called “daimyo.” H. Japan was ruled by a shogunate until the late-19 th century.

V. Economic and cultural growth A. Economic and cultural growth occurred throughout this politically tumultuous period. B. Shogunate period witnessed a rise in women’s status among merchant and artisan families but a drop in status for elite women.

C. Pure land Buddhism gained many converts among the peasants. D.Zen Buddhism appealed to the warrior elite and therefore influenced artistic developments, garden designs and the evolution of the tea ceremony

VI. Examples of China’s limited influence A. Japan borrowed many cultural and intellectual ideas but attempts to borrow political ideas were unsuccessful due to Japan’s very different circumstances. B. Buddhism in Japan had distinct elements from Chinese Buddhism. C. Shintoism is a uniquely Japanese religion.

Korea A. Of the 3 civilizations, Korea was the most profoundly influenced by China for the longest period of time. B. The Korea people did, however, still maintain a distinct culture and identity.

C. Korea was ruled by indigenous dynasties for most of its history, although it was colonized by China for periods of time. D. Sinification (extensive adoption of Chinese culture) was facilitated by Buddhism.

E. Tang alliances 1. Chinese conquerors created a tribute system with Korea’s Silla dynasty, allowing Korean dynasties to rule their civilization independently until the 20 th century. 2. Chinese influence peaked under the Silla monarchs, during which Korea tried to create a miniature version of the Tang empire.

a.The Chinese were content to leave Korea alone due to their successful tributary arrangements. b. The Koreans were also content under this system, because they had privileged access to Chinese intellectual developments and manufactured goods.

F. Chinese characteristics adopted by Korea 1. Buddhism 2. Chinese writing and texts 3. Unified law code 4. Education in the Confucian classics, Confucian exam system

5. Chinese court fashions and etiquette 6. Artwork: Korea’s celadon pottery surpassed China’s 7. Their capital was designed to look like the Tang counterpart.

G. Limits of Chinese influence 1. Korea favored Buddhism over Confucianism 2. Besides Buddhism, Chinese imports to Korea were limited to the upper class

Vietnam A. China and Vietnam traded for centuries before China conquered Vietnam in the classical era. B. Vietnamese customs and culture differed significantly from Chinese, and the Vietnamese retained these elements even when politically dominated by China. C. Vietnam resisted assimilation and gained its independence from China in 939.

D. Elements Vietnam borrowed from China 1. Smaller version of Confucian bureaucratic system 2. Chinese architecture, including palaces 3. Agricultural techniques that made Vietnam the most productive area in the region 4. Chinese political and military organization, which gave Vietnam a huge advantage over its neighboring adversaries

E. Limits of Chinese influence on Vietnam 1. Women in Vietnam historically had more freedoms than women in China and were therefore resistant to Confucian codes and family system. 2. Besides architecture, Vietnamese intellectual developments remained distinct from that of the Chinese. 3. Scholar-gentry had significantly less influence in Vietnamese society.