1. Early Japan It Matters Because:
Many of the characteristics of modern Japanese culture can be traced back to Shinto & the Samurai.

2. I. Geography & Settlement
Off coast of China & Korea, Japan is an archipelago
1. Archipelago - chain of islands
2. Most live on 4 largest islands
3. Islands actually tops of mountains
4. Difficult to farm due to mountainous terrain
a. armies fought for fertile land for centuries
5. Most settled on coast & fished
6. Isolation led to unique & independent culture

3. I. Geography & Settlement
B. First settlers arrived from NE Asia 20,000 years ago
1. Originally joined to Korea and Siberia through a land bridge
2. Hunter-Gathers
C. Yayoi people were ancestors of modern Japanese
1. Brought farming to Japan
2. Pottery, metalworking
3. Organized in clans led by warrior-chiefs
D. Yamato clan ruled during 500s
1. Claimed to be descendants of sun goddess
2. First Japanese emperors

4. II. Shinto: Way of the Spirits
A. Early Japanese believed humans, animals, plays, rocks, etc. all have own spirits
1. Animism - philosophy that every object has a spirit
2. Believed the kami (nature spirits) could be called on for help
3. Beliefs became philosophy known as Shinto
a. Shinto - “way of the spirits”
b. Shinto influenced Japanese love of nature, simplicity, cleanliness, good manners

5. III. Prince Shotoku
Yamato prince, created constitution to strengthen government
1. Made emperor all-powerful
2. Constitution based on Confucianism
3. Admired Chinese culture
a. studied Chinese art, philosophy, medicine
4. In 646, Yamato rulers began Taika (“Great Change”)
a. divided Japan into districts
b. farmland placed under emperor’s control
c. officials collected taxes for central government