1. Early Japan Study for Quiz Complete Quiz Grade and Discuss Quiz
EQ: How did geography shape Japan’s early society?
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2. Geography Japan lies to the East of Korea and China.
It is an archipelago – a chain of islands
The islands run north to south in the Pacific Ocean
Most Japanese live on the 4 largest islands
1.Hokkaido 3.Shikoku
2.Honshu 4.Kyushu

3. Geography The islands are actually the tops of mountains.
Earthquakes occur
Only a small amount of land can be farmed.
This farmland has been fought over for centuries.
Many Japanese make a living from the sea.
The seas keep Japan isolated from rest of Asia.
It is a strongly independent civilization.

4. Map Work Label the following on your map: Yalu River Honshu
Korea Hokkaido
China Heian-kyo
Sea of Japan Mt. Fuji
Yellow Sea Pacific Ocean
Kyushu Japan
Shikoku
Use Maps on pages 217 & 221

6. Quick Check! Why was early society in Japan isolated?
Japan is composed of islands and was therefore isolated from other nations.
What is an archipelago?
An archipelago is a chain of islands.
TAKE NOTES AS YOU WATCH THIS VIDEO ON JAPAN’S GEOGRAPHY!

7. The First Settlers
The first people to settle probably came from NE Asia around 20,000 years ago.
300 BC the Yayoi brought farming to Japan & were the ancestors of the Japanese.
AD 500s the Yamato clan ruled most of Japan.
They claimed to be descended from a sun goddess. Legend says her grandson Jimmu was the first emperor of Japan.

8. Quick Check! (Write questions and answers in comp book.)
Where did the first people in Japan come from?
Northeastern Asia
Who were the Yayoi?
They brought farming to Japan in about 300 BC and were the ancestors of the Japanese.

9. ESSENTIAL QUESTION please copy
7.27 Compare the major features of Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion, and Japanese Buddhism.
I can describe Japan’s indigenous religion.
Define “animism”
Define “kami”

10. Shinto: Way of the Spirits
Read page 222, “Shinto: Way of the Spirits” in your textbook. After reading, answer the following questions:
Why did the early Japanese believe that nature was important?
How did the Japanese show respect to the kami?
Watch the video clip -

11. Prince Shotoku
600 AD – A Yamato prince named Shotoku ruled Japan on behalf of his aunt.
He created a Constitution, or a plan of government.
Emperor was all-powerful.
Japanese expected to obey him
Used Confucianism
He admired Chinese civilization and wanted the Japanese to learn from it. They studied Buddhism and Chinese art, philosophy and medicine.
After his death, they continued to use China as a model for Japan. The Taika, or Great Change – Japan was divided into districts
All farmland under Emperor’s control.
Government collected taxes.
Japan’s first strong central government.

12. Quick Check! (Copy and answer in your comp book.)
What was Prince Shotoku’s main reform in government?
He wrote Japan’s first Constitution.
What was the Taika?
Known as the Great Change, the Taika divided Japan into districts, all farmland was controlled by Emperor, and taxes were collected. The Taika created Japan’s first strong central government.

13. The Nara Period
Please copy EQ in your notes.
7.29
I can trace the emergence of the Japanese nation during the Nara Period,
Read page 223, “The Nara Period.”
Write a paragraph to describe how Chinese ways influenced Japan during the Nara Period.

14. Reflection 3-2-1 3 Most Important Concepts
2 New Vocabulary Words I learned
1 Question I still have