Japanese Civilization Chapter 19

Questions and Answers

How did Japan's geography affect the historical and cultural development of Japan?

Through trade and migration, cultural diffusion occurred between Japan and China as early as 100 B.C.E.

How did Shinto tie Japan together and how did it tie Japan into family groups?

In ensuing centuries, shinbutsu-shūgō was adopted by Japan's Imperial household.

How did Prince Shotoku unify Japan using a Chinese model of centralized government?

Ties with China, introducing principles of Chinese government.

What ideas did Japan borrow from China and adapt to their own culture?

A long list of ideas including rice cultivation, writing, Buddhism, centralized government models, civil service examinations, temple architecture, clothing, art, literature, music, and eating habits. Signup and view all the answers

What are some forms of art that came out of Japan?

The highly refined traditional arts of Japan include such forms as the tea ceremony, calligraphy, ikebana (flower arranging), and gardening, as well as architecture, painting, and sculpture. Signup and view all the answers

How did the adoption of Zen Buddhism affect Japanese culture?

Japanese Zen Buddhism has helped to mold Japanese culture. Signup and view all the answers

How did large landowning families gain and maintain control of Japan?

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How did Japan become reunified after the Warring States Period and what foreign policy followed?

Japan was reunified under the leadership of the prominent daimyō Oda Nobunaga and his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Signup and view all the answers

What is an archipelago?

A group of islands. Signup and view all the answers

What is aristocracy?

A government in which power is in the hands of a hereditary ruling class or nobility. Signup and view all the answers

What is caligraphy?

Art of beautiful handwriting. Signup and view all the answers

What is a clan?

A group of related families. Signup and view all the answers

What is an embassy?

A diplomatic center that a nation maintains in a foreign country. Signup and view all the answers

What is a regent?

Someone who rules for a child until the child is old enough to rule. Signup and view all the answers

What is a ritual?

A ceremonial act; a customary procedure. Signup and view all the answers

What is haiku?

3 unrhymed lines (5, 7, 5) usually focusing on nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is Kabuki?

A type of Japanese drama in which music, dance, and mime are used to present stories. Signup and view all the answers

What is meditation?

The focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What is Noh?

Japanese drama that appealed to the nobles and samurai. Signup and view all the answers

What is Bushido?

The Feudal Japanese code of honor among the warrior class. Signup and view all the answers

What is a daimyo?

A Japanese feudal lord who commanded a private army of samurai. Signup and view all the answers

What is feudalism?

A political system in which nobles are granted land usage that legally belongs to their king, in exchange for loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land. Signup and view all the answers

What is a samurai?

Class of warriors in feudal Japan who pledged loyalty to a noble in return for land. Signup and view all the answers

What is a shogun?

A general who ruled Japan in the emperor's name. Signup and view all the answers

What is a shogunate?

The Japanese system of centralized government under a shogun, who exercised actual power while the emperor was reduced to a figurehead. Signup and view all the answers

What is a vassal?

A knight who promised to support a lord in exchange for land. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Prince Shotoku?

Founder of Japanese civilization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Ring of Fire?

A major belt of volcanoes that rims the Pacific Ocean. Signup and view all the answers

What is Shinto?

"Way of the Kami"; Japanese worship of nature spirits. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Matsuo Basho?

Greatest of all the Japanese haiku poets. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Murasaki Shikibu?

Perhaps Japan's greatest author, known for 'The Tale of Genji.' Signup and view all the answers

Who is Sei Shonagon?

Author of 'The Pillow Book.' Signup and view all the answers

What is Zen Buddhism?

A Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Tokugawa Ieyasu?

Vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi; succeeded him as the most powerful military figure in Japan. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Japan's geography and its culture?

Japan is an archipelago with neighboring countries being S. Korea (150 miles away) and China (500 miles away). It developed from one ethnic group that gave them a sense of unity. Signup and view all the answers

How did Japan's geography affect where people settled?

Mountainous terrain limited the amount of available space for farming and building homes. Population is crowded onto few plains. Signup and view all the answers

What are some advantages and disadvantages of Japan's location and terrain?

Influenced by China and Korea, lacked natural resources like metals and coals. Signup and view all the answers

What inspired the development of the ancient Japanese religion called Shinto?

Shinto was inspired by Japan's rugged mountains and forests. Signup and view all the answers

What are some distinctive features of the Shinto religion?

Belief that spiritual powers reside in nature, worship divine spirits (Kami). Signup and view all the answers

How did the Yayoi culture affect Japan?

Yayoi brought advanced culture, rice cultivation, metalwork, weaving, and building villages. Signup and view all the answers

What are Prince Shotoku's greatest accomplishments?

Established practice for having both a ruler in name and an actual ruler, introduced Chinese ideas to strengthen control. Signup and view all the answers

How did Prince Shotoku unify the Japanese people?

He brought Chinese culture into Japan and issued Japan's first constitution. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Prince Shotoku stress the fact that Japan had only one ruler?

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What is Prince Shotoku's greatest accomplishment?

Establishing a centralized government which helped Japan emerge as a nation. Signup and view all the answers

What is Shinto based on?

Belief that spiritual powers reside in nature. Signup and view all the answers

What does the constitution establish as the most important values in government?

Everyone has their own work, only one person can rule. Signup and view all the answers

What does the constitution emphasize?

Obedience to the emperor and that the emperor has a duty to care for its subjects. Signup and view all the answers

What ideas were mixed in the first constitution of Japan?

Buddhism and Confucianism. Signup and view all the answers

Who do followers of Shinto worship?

Kami. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Japanese system of writing demonstrate Japan's tendency to adopt and adapt ideas from China?

Chinese words: 1 syllable, Japan's words: numerous syllables. Initially wrote in Chinese, later adapted and added new characters. Signup and view all the answers

How does Japan's name reflect the influence of China?

"Nippon" land of the Rising Sun comes from Chinese language. Signup and view all the answers

What new forms of literature and drama did the Japanese develop?

Noh, Kabuki, Haiku, and novel. Signup and view all the answers

How do traditional Buddhism and Zen Buddhism differ?

They differ in their approach to enlightenment; Zen practices meditation, while traditional Buddhism focuses on scriptures and rituals. Signup and view all the answers

Which guiding principles of Zen Buddhism had an impact on Japanese society and culture?

Simplicity, understatement, and grace. Signup and view all the answers

What were the key events in Japan's unification and isolation?

Tokugawa Ieyasu unifying Japan, isolation starting in 1639 and reopening again in 1854. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Tokugawa shogunate decide to isolate Japan from foreign influence?

Fearing that foreign contact was corrupting the people and upsetting the traditional balance of power. Signup and view all the answers

Do you think that the policy of isolating was wise for Japan?

Yes, it was wise because Japan was able to keep peace and tradition. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Geography and Cultural Development

Japan's trade and migration history began around 100 B.C.E., fostering cultural diffusion with China.
The geographic isolation and mountainous terrain led to a predominantly ethnic homogeneity, creating a sense of national unity.
Japan’s position as an archipelago resulted in limited farmland and concentrated settlements on a few plains.

Shinto and Unification

Shinto, meaning "Way of the Kami," emphasizes nature spirits and is deeply connected to Japan's mountains and forests.
Spiritual powers are believed to reside in nature; worshippers engage in purification rituals and honor kami at shrines.
Prince Shotoku played a pivotal role in unifying Japan, instituting a centralized government based on Chinese model and Buddhism principles.

Prince Shotoku's Influence

Shotoku's greatest achievements include fostering imperial control and creating the first constitution that merged Confucian and Buddhist ideals.
The constitution emphasized obedience to a single emperor and the responsibilities of the emperor towards subjects.
His efforts entrenched the idea of a unified Japan under centralized authority.

Cultural Borrowing and Adaptation

Japan adapted various cultural elements from China, including writing systems, governance, agriculture, and artistic expressions.
Traditional Japanese arts include the tea ceremony, calligraphy, and ikebana, highlighting Japan’s rich cultural heritage.
New literary forms such as Haiku, Kabuki, and Noh emerged, reflecting Japan's unique artistic identity.

Buddhism's Role in Society

Zen Buddhism significantly influenced Japanese culture, emphasizing meditation for enlightenment and inner peace.
Traditional Buddhism contrasts with Zen, focusing more on scriptures and rituals for achieving spiritual goals.
Principles of Zen, like simplicity and grace, permeated various aspects of Japanese society and arts.

Feudal System and Governance

A feudal hierarchy developed, with the shogun wielding actual power while the emperor became a figurehead.
Daimyo were powerful landowning lords who commanded samurai armies, reinforcing the feudal system.
Bushido emerged as the warrior code of honor in feudal Japan.

Isolation and Foreign Policy

The Tokugawa shogunate opted for isolation in the 17th century to preserve traditional values and resist foreign corruption.
Key events include the unification under Tokugawa Ieyasu and the re-opening of Japan in 1854 after more than two centuries of isolation.
This isolationist stance allowed for internal stability but limited foreign influence and modernization for an extended period.

Important Figures and Contributions

Matsuo Basho stands out as a master of Haiku poetry, while Murasaki Shikibu is celebrated for writing "The Tale of Genji."
Prince Shotoku is recognized as the founder of Japanese civilization, pivotal in blending different cultural influences from China.
Tokugawa Ieyasu's establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate marked a significant turning point in Japanese governance and society.

Vocabulary and Concepts

Archipelago: a group of islands, which characterizes Japan's geography.
Clan: a group of related families, significant in historical social structure.
Ritual: customary ceremonial acts vital to Shinto and other cultural practices.
Vassal: a knight who supported a lord in exchange for land, illustrating feudal relationships.
Shinto: the indigenous spirituality of Japan, emphasizing nature worship.

Summary of Cultural Characteristics

Japanese writing evolved from Chinese characters, developing unique grammatical structures and syllables.
Japan's name "Nippon," or "land of the Rising Sun," reflects Chinese linguistic influence.
Artistic expressions like Noh, Kabuki, and Haiku depict the distinctive features of Japanese literature and drama.

The blending of Buddhism and Confucianism shaped Japan’s moral and ethical frameworks within its governance and cultural practices.
The policy of isolation, while controversial, contributed to Japan's ability to maintain peace and cultural traditions throughout its history.

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Dive into the historical and cultural development of Japan through this flashcard quiz based on Chapter 19. Explore how geography, Shinto, and cultural diffusion shaped Japanese society. Perfect for studying key concepts and terms in Japanese history.