East Asia 1200–1450: Song Dynasty and Cultural Interactions

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from East Asia, 1200–1450, including the Song Dynasty, Confucianism, Buddhism, and related political and economic developments.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (c. 960–1279) that became a major power around 1200, maintaining authority through Neo-Confucianism and a merit-based imperial bureaucracy, and driving economic prosperity.

Neo-Confucianism

Revival of Confucian thought during the Song that integrated Buddhist/Daoist ideas and helped legitimize rule; reinforced a hierarchical social order.

Confucianism

State philosophy since the Han that emphasizes hierarchical social roles, benevolence, and filial piety as foundations of social harmony.

Filial piety

Core Confucian virtue of honoring and caring for one’s ancestors and parents; supports social order and loyalty to the emperor.

Foot binding

Practice of binding or deforming women's feet to create a small, “bound” foot; symbol of elite status and female subordination.

Imperial bureaucracy

Central administrative system that carried out the emperor’s orders across China; expanded under Song rule.

Civil service examinations

Merit-based tests on Confucian classics used to recruit officials into the bureaucracy; emphasized merit and competency.

Tributary system (Korea)

Korea’s political relationship with China in which Korea acknowledged China’s superiority, paid tribute, and exchanged cultural practices.

Korea's cultural influence

Korean elites adopted Chinese culture, including Confucian family structures and a civil service examination system.

Japan’s adoption of Chinese culture

Japan selectively borrowed Chinese governance, writing, Buddhism, and cultural practices (primarily 7th–9th centuries) and restructured its government accordingly.

Grand Canal

Expansion of the canal linking the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, facilitating internal trade and administration.

Magnetic compass

Navigational instrument perfected during this period, enabling longer and more reliable maritime travel.

Shipbuilding innovations

Improvements such as watertight bulkheads and stern-mounted rudders that boosted long-distance sea trade.

Champa rice

Drought-resistant rice from Vietnam that could be harvested twice a year, boosting yields and supporting population growth.

Paper money and credit

Song-era development in which paper currency and credit systems facilitated commercial exchange.

Iron and steel production

Rising mass production in China by the 11th century, supporting weapons, coins, tools, and broader economic activity.

Buddhism (core beliefs)

Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path; karma and rebirth; emphasis on moral living, meditation, and compassionate practice.

Theravada Buddhism

Early Buddhist tradition focused on monastic life and personal liberation; practiced mainly in Sri Lanka; closer to original teachings.

Mahayana Buddhism

East Asian form of Buddhism open to laypeople; emphasizes compassion and devotion to the Buddha.

Chan Buddhism

Chinese form of Zen Buddhism emphasizing meditation and sudden insight; influential in China and East Asia.

Vietnam and the tributary system

Vietnam participated in the tributary system, adopted Confucianism, Buddhism, and Chinese literary styles, adopted civil service exams, and generally did not practice foot binding; women often retained more rights.