1. Japan’s Geography

2. China
Russia
Sapparo
N. Korea
Pyongyang
Seoul
Hiroshima
S. Korea
Tokyo
Osaka
Nagasaki

3. Island Nation Japan is an archipelago, or a chain of islands
Sea provided protection as a natural barrier.
Sea was also a link btwn the islands and the mainland (China)
Irregular coastline positive for trade and fishing
Scarce natural resources
Culture developed mostly in isolation

4. Location on Pacific Rim
Exposed to threats:
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Tsunami

5. Climate: Mild/Temperate climate

6. Mt. Fuji

7. Mountains Only 20% of the land is arable. Kanto plain is most fertile
Terrace farming increases the available farmland.
Crops: rice, barley, and soy beans

8. Diet Strongly influenced by the sea Seafood diet Rice Tea Sushi
Sushi sashimi
Rice
Tea
Green tea herbal remedy
Sake

9. Shintoism: Religion inspired by nature’s beauty
“The way of the gods”
Respect for nature
Tori gates and shrines
Kami – spirits that controlled the forces of nature
People offer gifts to the kami for good harvests, etc.

10. Traditional tori gate
When entering a shrine, one passes through a Tori a special gateway for the Gods. It marks the line between this world and the infinite world of the Gods.

11. Zen Buddhism "dry-landscape" style of Japanese gardens
The two main elements of a zen: are rocks to represent mountains and sand to represent flowing water.