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

Japan’s Imperial Age Indigenous cultural ideas (Shinto) Taika, Nara, Heian periods-peak of borrowing from Chinese Taika Reforms: –Modify administration to Chinese way –Scholars attempt to master Chinese writing –Dynastic histories –Court etiquette –Confucian ways, Buddhist art (Chinese flavor) –Peasants turn to Buddhism (combine w/ Shinto)

Cont. Aristocracy challenges Chinese influence Peasants change Chinese Buddhism into Japanese religion Taika reforms ultimately fail Power shifts from emperor -> aristocrats- >local lords

Crisis at Nara/shift to Heian Resistance centered in aristocracy and Buddhist monasteries “Rowdy Monks” New capital at Heian (Kyoto) Buddhists forbidden there but re-establish power as royal advisors Aristocrats take over gov’t Local leaders organize military (feudalism?)

Court Life Strict codes of behavior Elaborate etiquette/rituals Social status, love affairs, gossip (soap opera) Simplified script to write poetry Tale of Genji – Lady Murasaki (1 st novel) Women-behind the scenes power

Decline of imperial power/rise of warrior elite Aristocratic families run everything Fujiwara Power of local lords grows Bushi + samurai Emergence of warrior class Japanese feudalism Peasants reduced to serfs Artisans – poor and low status

Era of warrior dominance Feuding between powerful families Minamoto establish bakufu Locate capital at Kamakura Emperor – no real power ******In Depth****** Comparison of feudalism (Europe/Japan)

Chinese influence declines Stop embassies/diplomats to China Paranoid leaders weaken the regime **Hojo family-real power ->in charge of Minamoto shoguns ->who ruled in the name of the emperor Ashikaga Shogunate Civil war!!! 300 daimyos

Troubled times Change in type of warfare Fortresses/castles Peasant forces cause problems Economic and cultural growth –Village life improves –New commercial class develops –Women in merchant/artisan families –Women in merchant/artisan families –Women of warrior families  –All women lose some status

Art Zen Buddhism Zen monasteries-points of contact w/China Ink sketches (nature scenes) ArchitectureGardens Tea ceremony Cultural growth lays foundation for unification of Japan

Korea Descended from hunter/herder people of Siberia/Manchuria Partial colonization by China Resist Chinese rule Three kingdoms (Koguryo, Silla, Paekche) Sinification (Buddhism is link) –Chinese writing –Universities –Chinese-style bureaucracy (failed)

Tang alliances Internal warfare weakens Korea Tang takes them over, leave Silla as independent rulers in exchange for tribute and monarch is vassal of emperor Silla = “miniature Tang” Favored Buddhism over Confucianism Borrowed then improved

Social Aristocracy dominated everything Artisans – poor, low status Merchants – not even a distinct class Common people would rebel Contributes to fall of dynasties Yi dynasty (1392 – 1910)

Vietnam Very independent-minded (stubborn, too) Viets control Red River valley, blend w/ others, form distinct ethnic group Many characteristics of SE Asia –Language not related to Chinese –Village autonomy –Nuclear family –Women – more freedom and influence –Culture/customs also different –More attached to Buddhism –Distinct art and literature

Conquest Han conquers and tries to assimilate Viets pick/choose what they want –Education + exam system –Farming techniques –Political and military organization –Elites are most “Sinified”

Resistance Revolts –Literature expresses hostile attitudes –Trung sisters –Aided by distance/mountain barriers –Only small numbers of Chinese lived there –Viets take advantage of chaos in China –Independent until French in 19 th century

Continuing Chinese impact Chinese-style palaces Bureaucracy w/exam system Vietnamese officials identified w/ peasants, looked out for local interests Buddhism stronger

Drive to the South Will conquer Chams and Khmers Differences develop between N/S Continuous attempts to unite Internal problems cause them to ignore external threats (French)