1. Japan: -Cultural Diffusion- -Shintoism-
EQs:
How did Japan experience cultural diffusion?
What are some beliefs found in Shintoism?
How did the Tokugawa Shogunate impact Japan?

2. Map of Diffusion Japanese culture includes: original traditions
ideas borrowed from Korea and China

3. Japan & Korea These cultures meet due to warfare and trade
Korea acts as a bridge between Japan and China
Korea introduces
Chinese writing system (c.500CE)
Buddhism

4. Japan & China C. 600CE = Japan sends nobles to study Chinese culture
During China’s Tang Dynasty, Japan imports ideas directly from China
CE = Japan blends the best Chinese ideas with their own traditions
This creates Japan’s specific culture

5. Japanese Language C. 800CE = Japan adapts Chinese writing
Japan has their own language
Chinese symbol for “life”
Japanese symbol for “life”

6. The Tokugawa Shogunate
In 1603, the Tokugawa shogunate was founded
This shogunate stabilized Japan by bringing the fighting daimyo under control
The Tokugawa ran a centralized feudal government
Japan’s economy prospered due to having a stabilized society
New seeds & farming techniques allow farmers to produce more food
Population grows
Trade increases
By 1638, the Tokugawa only allowed internal trade (among the Japanese islands)
Advances in culture
Tea ceremony
Landscape gardening
Kabuki theater
Haiku

7. Customs & Art: China’s Influence
Tea drinking, tea ceremonies (Zen Buddhism)
Music, dancing, Kabuki Theater
Rock garden design & landscaping
Architecture
Pagoda style
Buddhist monasteries

8. Belief Systems in Japan
As Japanese civilization developed, various religions were practiced
Shintoism
Buddhism
Zen Buddhism
Confucianism
The Garan, the central temple complex in the town of Koyasan

9. Shintoism Japan’s traditional religion
Shinto = “the way”, or “the way of the gods”
To practice Shinto, one must worship the “kami”
Kami = spirits found in all living and nonliving things
Kami control the forces the nature
Attempt to win the favor of the kami through praying, offerings, and visiting shrines
“Tsumairi” style shrine

10. Effects of Shintoism Followers help unite all of Japan
Strong respect for the natural world in Japan
Shrines built in places of natural beauty & they appear throughout Japan
Torii Gate: The Torii gate, as seen above, is the entrance to a Shinto shrine; the gate may be on land or water

11. Beliefs from China to Japan
Zen Buddhism develops in China and spreads throughout Japan
Zen Buddhists value peace, simple living, nature, and beauty
Confucian ideals of proper behavior and social order are popular in Japan
Japan likes the ideas of family loyalty, honoring parents, and the respect for education

12. Exit Ticket
On 1/2 sheet of paper, answer the following questions in complete sentences.
How did Japan experience cultural diffusion? Describe two examples.
What is a major belief found in Shintoism?
How did the Tokugawa shogunate influence Japan?