Chapter_8__Section_1_Presentation

Geography of Japan

Japan consists of islands that are the tops of undersea mountains and volcanoes, with only about 20% being flat land.

Ainu

An early people of Japan who spoke a unique language and were eventually confined to Hokkaido.

Kami

Spiritual beings in Shinto; everything in nature has kami according to Shinto beliefs.

Shinto

The traditional religion of Japan centered around rituals honoring kami.

Emperors of Japan

The rulers who emerged from powerful clans in the Yamato region, especially in the 500s.

Influence of China and Korea

Japan was significantly influenced by the cultures of China and Korea despite its geographical isolation.

Prince Shotoku

A regent from 593 to 621 who admired Chinese culture and spread Buddhism in Japan.

Written language in early Japan

Initially, early Japanese did not have a written language and learned to write using Chinese characters.

Buddhism in Japan

Introduced by Korean visitors, Buddhism gained popularity under Prince Shotoku.

Clan structure in early Japan

Japanese society was organized in clans, with each clan led by a chief who had political and religious authority.