HISTORY Part 4 : CHINESE, JAPANESE, ISLAMIC, THAI

Huang He and Yangtze Rivers

rivers in China that flow from west to east not linking the northern, central, and southern parts of China

Shang

Known as the bronze period; known for bronze casting

Zhou Dynasty

Emergence of the 3 great philosophies

-Mandate of heaven: the idea that there could be only one legitimate ruler of China at a time, and that this ruler had the blessing of the gods

Qin Dynasty

Quin Shi Huangdi: unified China by implementing strict laws, taxing everyone and introducing one script for writing, one standard each for money, weights and measurements

- Terra Cotta warriors: 3000 life-size foot soldiers buried in the tom of Qin

Han Dynasty

The spread of Buddhism and philosophy of Confucianism through the Silk road. Invention of paper

Tang Dynasty

Also known as the Golden Age of Civilization

Song Dynasty

Culture and arts flourished and became a prolonged Golden Age for artists.

Ming Dynasty

Urbanization started. Great wall of China was completed

Qing Dynasty

The Golden Age of the 3 great emperors, Emperor Kangxi, Emperor Yongzheng and Emperor Qianlong.

Pagoda

Body is used to enshrine a statue of Buddha. Base is used for burying Buddhist relics

Pai-lou

Or Paifang. Monumental archway or gateway with one, three or five openings. A memorial at the entrance to a place, tomb or processional way. Built of stone with faux wood finish.

Pavilion

Covered structures without surrounding walls.

The Forbidden City

The walled section of Beijing where emperors lived between 1121 and 1924. A portion is now a residence for leaders of the People's Republic of China.

Great Wall of China

Fortified wall commenced under the Zhou Dynasty to protect China against nomads from the north to serve as means of communication.

Temple of Heaven

China's largest existing complex of ancient sacrificial buildings. For worship of the Heavens.

Yellow

Earth element, it is a royal color and signifies power, authority and growth.

Silk Road

An ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean Sea extending some 6,440 km (4,000 mi) and linking China with the Roman Empire. Marco Polo followed the route on his journey to Cathay.

Porcelain

Hard, translucent ceramic mixture of Kaolin.

Kaolin

China clay; porcelain and ceramic production.

Dougong

Bracketing System. Interlocking parts of timber or dougong. A structural member found between the top of a column and a cross beam.

Jade

Symbol of vitality and authority.

Jade Cicada

Symbol of eternal life. Placed on the mouth of a deceased person.

Calligraphy

Chinese writing on silk then on paper.

Taoism

Teaches individualism and transcendence through direct connection with the natural world.

Tao

Incomprehensible natural force which all events in the universe unfailingly follow.

Confucianism

Emphasized strict adherence to social conventions and rituals for proper functioning of the state.

Buddhism

Pat of practice and spiritual development leading to insight of the true nature of reality.

Danlu

Stove to make pills of immortality

Bagua Style

All structures surround the Danlu in the center. Reflects Taoist philosophy that the human cosmos follows the natural cosmos to integrate energy.

Yin-Yang

Balance and symmetry.

Feng Shui

Traditional concepts of 5 elements that were believed to constitute the universe.

Number 9

Odd numbers were considered masculine. Applied in imperial architecture

Dragon

Zoomorphic symbolism for the emperor.

Phoenix

Zoomorphic symbolism for the empress.

Lion

Zoomorphic symbolism for the guardian of palatial structures

Gong

Double bow-shaped arm.

Dou

A block of wood that supports the gong and dougong.

Zaojing

Caisson or spider web ceiling. Symbolizes that "Heaven is above and the Earth below," "Heaven is round and the Earth is square"

Jing

The round central deepest part of a Zaojing

Feng shui

Taoism's understanding of nature that there is a chi

Yoke

Curve on the roof.

Xiao

Butterfly roof tiles.

Feng

means wind

Shui

means water

Chuang Furniture

Raised seating because of the introduction of Buddhism.

Diao Tian

Chinese lacquer technique that employs a carved design that is then painted

Chinese Yoke Back Pattern

A chair with a spoon-shaped splat following the curve of the body.

Jomon

the earliest known Neolithic inhabitants of Japan, named for the cord pattern of their pottery. First signs of civilization.

Asuka

Prince Shotoku started the spread of Buddhism and Chinese culture.

Nara

Japanese state of the Golden Age.

Kamakura

Medieval Japan. There were powerful families called Daimyo, warlords or Shoguns and samurais or bushi.

Shoji screen

Outside screens that take the place of windows. The lower portion is made of solid wood panels

Tatami Mats

Mats made of straws. Rooms were planned according to the number of tatami mats which measure 3' x 6' x 2" THK

Cha-shitsu

"A small Japanese garden pavilion or room within a house, specifically designed for the tea ceremony."

Torii

Gateway of a Shinto shrine that separates the sacred world from the rest of the world

Sando

The approach to the shrine.

Chozuya

Or Temizuya. Purification font to cleanse one's hands and mouth.

Toro

Decorative stone lanterns.

Kagura-den

Building dedicated to Noh or the sacred kagura dance

Shamusho

The shrine's administrative office.

Ema

Wooden plaques bearing prayers or wishes.

Sessha

Or Massha. Small auxiliary shrines.

Komainu

Stone dogs which face each other at the entrance to shrines guarding the precincts.

Goju-no-to

five-storied pagoda

Gorinto

Erected at graveyards or as a memorial stone.

Kondo

Statues and images of the Buddha are kept here. Golden hall where main image of worship is kept.

Kodo

Where Buddhist scriptures are read. An assembly hall for monks.

Wabi-sabi

A comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete."

Chado

Tea ceremony.

Ikebana

The Japanese style of floral arrangements characterized by their linear forms.

Genroku Bunka

Period of luxurious display.

Shintoism

The way of the gods or kami.

Privy

A traditional Japanese toilet.

Kura

Fire proof buildings.

Engawa

Verandah; a space that connects the garden with the inside and is a space to receive guests.

Tokonoma

Bed space bay nearest the verandah; the floor is of polished plank and is higher than the Chigai-dana.

Oiishire

Closets used for storage of furniture.

Tsugi-no-ma

Ante-room; a small room that contains a single row of tatami mats. It is a place for visitors to hang their coats

Kamoi

A lintel that runs across a room.

Yoshi-do

A substitute for fusuma during the summer

Irori

Iron hearths where sand and ash with fire is mixed at the center.

Imari Pattern

Employed strong floral and brocade design painted in heavily saturated colors

Haiden

Hall of worship of the Shinto shrine. Found in front of the honden. Open to the laity.

Shahadah

sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith

Salat

Muslims performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day

Zakat

paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy

Sawm

Fasting during the month of Ramadan

Hajj

A pilgrimage to Mecca, performed as a duty by Muslims

Mohammed

Claimed to be prophet to Allah.

Arabic Calligraphy

Work of writing that uses the Arabic text as the basis of a written text

Lustreware

Type of pottery with an over-glaze finish containing copper and silver giving the effect of iridescence.

Masjid

Mosque. A place to prostrate. Principal place of worship used every Friday.

Jami Masjid

A big mosque or neighborhood mosque.

Madrasa

A school for the study of Muslim law and religious science

Sahn

An open courtyard in a mosque

Haram

Covered area in front of qibla wall.

Mihrab

(Islam) a niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca

Dikka

A platform in a mosque, often made of wood, that holds muezzins who chant in unison with the prayer leader.

Reading desk where Quaran is read.

Maqsura

in some mosques, a screened area in front of the mihrab reserved for a ruler

Minbar

Raised platform for ceremonial announcements.