1. Early Japan Islands, mountains, and shortage of farmable land
Isolation helped shape a unique history
Shōtoku Taishi, unification, and a supreme ruler

2. Early Japan
Early Japanese society was made up of clans. Although there were a small aristocratic class of rulers, most people were farmers or other workers. In the early 7th century, Shotoku Taishi, a prince of the Yamato clan, united the clans under a centralized govt based on the Chinese model. The central govt was led by a supreme ruler, who was portrayed as a divine figure and a symbol of the Japanese nation. A new tax system was created, in which all taxes were paid to the central govt rather than the local aristocrats, limiting the aristocrats’ power.

4. This image shows Japanese samurai, or warriors, fighting in the Heiji Insurrection of This conflict was among the earliest battles to involve samurai.

6. Minamoto Yoritomo and the Kamakura Shogunate
Failed Mongol attacks
Overthrow of Kamakura shogunate and civil war
Daimyo or the head of noble families are now in control of large estates holding power with samurai and coalitions of other noble families.
The Onin War, a civil war lasting 10 years destroys the capitol and leads to constant warfare

7. Life in Early Japan Farming society, with trade slow to develop
Bartering was used until 12 century
Growth of manufacturing and trade
Paper and porcelain emerged as industries
Active role of women, despite subordination to men

8. Early Japanese Religion
Kami and the development of Shinto
Buddhism from China and the popularity of Zen 
Zen’s belief about self discipline became part of the samurai’s warrior code.
Zen’s belief is that nirvana comes by instantaneous enlightenment or meditation

10. Early Japanese Culture
Prolific women writers and The Tale of Genji
Importance of landscape in art and architecture

11. The Kingdoms of Koguryo, Paekche, and Silla
A mountainous peninsula
Three kingdoms emerge
Introduction of Buddhism
Kaya is taken over by the Silla

12. Silla Rule, Invasion, and a New Korean Dynasty
Silla became dominant with Chinese aid.
Silla used the Chinese ideals to run their country
Civil war and Koryo dynasty
The King of Silla is killed and Koryo dynasty emerges from the civil war.
Korea is invaded by Mongols and Koryo accept Mongol authority
The Koryo people are forced to build the ships to invade Japan
When the Mongol Empire collapses so does the Koryo