1. Geography and Early Japan Chapter 8 Section 1

2. Geography of Japan  Four main Islands are the tops of Mountains / Volcanoes  Result: Many Japanese live on the coastal plains were it is easier to farm  Japanese use the sea to make a living  Result: Japanese eat all types of sea creatures and plants  Being a Island Nation Japan was isolated from other cultures  Result: Japanese are allowed to form their own cultural identity  Four main Islands are the tops of Mountains / Volcanoes  Result: Many Japanese live on the coastal plains were it is easier to farm  Japanese use the sea to make a living  Result: Japanese eat all types of sea creatures and plants  Being a Island Nation Japan was isolated from other cultures  Result: Japanese are allowed to form their own cultural identity

3.  Ainu: One of the first people to live in Japan  Believed they came from Siberia in eastern Russia  What happened to them?  Driven out of Main Land Japan -> Island of Hokkaido  Early People lived in small villages led by clans  Clans: extended Family  Clan Chiefs ruled over the whole village  Ainu: One of the first people to live in Japan  Believed they came from Siberia in eastern Russia  What happened to them?  Driven out of Main Land Japan -> Island of Hokkaido  Early People lived in small villages led by clans  Clans: extended Family  Clan Chiefs ruled over the whole village Clan System

4. Shinto  Original religion of Japan  Japanese believed that everything in nature has a spirit  Spirit is called Kami  Kami must be worshipped because they keep people from harm  Japanese believed that Clan Chiefs are born from Kami so they should be worshipped as well  Original religion of Japan  Japanese believed that everything in nature has a spirit  Spirit is called Kami  Kami must be worshipped because they keep people from harm  Japanese believed that Clan Chiefs are born from Kami so they should be worshipped as well

5. The First Emperors  Yamato clan was one of the most powerful clans  They said they were descended from the sun-goddess  Therefore they called themselves emperors of Japan  Yamato clan was one of the most powerful clans  They said they were descended from the sun-goddess  Therefore they called themselves emperors of Japan

6. China and Korea influence Japan  Japan sent scholars to learn about life in China and Korea  They brought back new ideas:  Language - began to write in Chinese  Philosophy - Confucianism  Religion - Buddhism  Japan sent scholars to learn about life in China and Korea  They brought back new ideas:  Language - began to write in Chinese  Philosophy - Confucianism  Religion - Buddhism

7. Prince Shotoku  He was a regent for his aunt, the empress  Prince Shotoku loved Chinese culture  Result:  He helped to spread Chinese culture and ideas in Japan  Spread the religion of Buddhism by building a huge temple  Prince Shotoku wanted the Emperor to have more power like the Chinese Emperor’s did but he could never gain more power  He was a regent for his aunt, the empress  Prince Shotoku loved Chinese culture  Result:  He helped to spread Chinese culture and ideas in Japan  Spread the religion of Buddhism by building a huge temple  Prince Shotoku wanted the Emperor to have more power like the Chinese Emperor’s did but he could never gain more power