1. Japan
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2. SOL Standards Essential Questions
How has Japan’s geography influenced its development?
How did Chinese culture influence Japan?
Why were Shinto and Buddhism important to the development of Japanese culture?

3. Japan is influenced by the proximity of China and Korea
Geography of Japan
Located on an archipelago (chain of islands)
Four main islands
Only 500 miles from
China & Korea

4. Separated from Asian mainland by the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea
Mountainous terrain making about 15 percent of Japan is farmable.

5. Japan’s Major Religions
Shinto
Buddhism
Shinto
Ethnic religion unique to Japan. Japan’s earliest religion. Becomes Japan’s state religion.
Venerates natural features, forces of nature and ancestors.

6. Torii
A traditional Japanese gate that is found at the entry way into a Shinto shrine.

7. SHINTO Shinto means- way of the gods
Respected nature and the worship of ancestors
Worship the emperor as God
Kami – divine spirits that dwelled in nature
Beautiful tree, rock, waterfall-home of kami

8. Shinto and Buddhism
Buddhism started in India -> China -> Korea -> Japan

9. China/Korea Influence on Japan
Mahayana Buddhism
Writing
Architecture
Painting
Strong Central Government

10. Buddhism Buddhism spread from India to China
Chinese forms of Buddhism spread to Korea and the to Japan
Buddhism stressed meditation and the precise performance of everyday tasks.

11. Japanese Writing
Based on Chinese characters, which first reached Japan through Korea.

12. Japanese Architecture
Pagoda style architecture from China: sloping roofs

13. Japanese Art
Reflected the values of Japanese society. Japan maintained the Chinese landscape art style.

14. Reflection
Which of the following religions is characterized by a focus on the importance of natural features and worship of the emperor and is unique to Japan? A. Buddhism B. Shinto C. Confucianism D. Islam