1. Chinese Influence in Japan
You are learning about China’s influence on culture, politics, and economics in Japan.

2. Japan’s Geography Chain of islands
Isolated from rest of Asia
Like CHINA, Japan is covered by mountains
Earthquake prone
20% of land is farmable
Made living on and from the sea
Fiercely independent society

3. Early Japan
Jomon – “cord marks”, earliest group, made living from fishing
Yayoi – intro. Farming to Japan, prob. learned skills from CHINESE and Koreans
Yamato – claim to be descendants of the sun goddess, Japan’s present emperor is a Yamato!!

4. Yamato Period: 300-710 “Great Kings” era
Began promoting the adoption of CHINESE culture (sent officials to study in China):
Confucianism.
Language (kanji characters).
Buddhist sects.
Chinese art & architecture.
Government structure.
“Great Kings” era

5. Prince Shotoku: 573-621 Adopted CHINESE culture and Confucianism.
Buddhist sects allowed to develop.
Created a new government structure
Created a constitution

6. SHINTO Shinto- “way of the spirits”
Animism- believe that all natural things (mountains, water, etc.) have spirits.
Kami- nature spirits
Shrines- holy places were spirits are worshiped.
There are "Four Affirmations"in Shinto:
Tradition and the family: Their main celebrations relate to birth and marriage.
Love of nature: Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the Gods.
Physical cleanliness: Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often.
"Matsuri": The worship and honor given to the Kami and ancestral spirits.

7. ORIGAMI
Origami ("Paper of the spirits"): This is a Japanese folk art in which paper is folded into beautiful shapes. They are often seen around Shinto shrines. Out of respect for the tree spirit that gave its life to make the paper, origami paper is never cut.
Get ready to make a flapping bird.
GOOD LUCK!! 