1. Japan Cultural Development

2. Influence of Culture Japanese cultural development was influenced by proximity to China.

3. Geography Japan is located on an archipelago, or chain of islands, about 100 miles off the Asian mainland. Japan is located on an archipelago, or chain of islands, about 100 miles off the Asian mainland. Mountainous Japanese archipelago (4 islands) Mountainous Japanese archipelago (4 islands) It was east of the Korean peninsula. It was east of the Korean peninsula.

4. Geography Sea of Japan or East Sea separated Japan and Asian mainland. It is in close proximity to China and Korea.

5. Chinese Influence Chinese culture influenced Japan tremendously: 1.Writing

7. Chinese Influence (cont.) 2. Architecture

8. The Great Wall is the only manmade object visible from space. The Great Wall is the only manmade object visible from space.

9. Chinese Influence (cont.)  3. Buddhism (Zen Buddhism) During Japan’s feudal age, a Buddhist sect from China won widespread acceptance among samurai.  Known in Japan as Zen, it emphasized meditation and devotion to duty.

10.  The Great Buddha sits 44 feet high, and is 30 feet wide from knee to knee. It weighs 274,428 pounds and is approximately 720 years old. Great Buddha, Japan

11. Shinto Traditions  It was an ethnic religion unique to Japan.  Shinto emphasized importance of natural features, forces of nature, and ancestors.  Shinto and Buddhism coexisted as religious traditions.  State religion: worshipping the emperor.