East Asian Japan Test

Yayoi Culture

Introduced wet-rice agriculture to Japan; used bronze and iron tools/weapons; society became more organized with social classes and villages

Tomb/Kofun Culture

Known for giant burial mounds (kofun); rise of powerful warrior elites; showed development of early Japanese state power

Yamato

Early ruling clan that unified Japan; claimed descent from Amaterasu; foundation of imperial family

Sun Goddess Amaterasu

Major Shinto deity; emperors claimed descent from her; justified divine authority of emperor

Arrival of Buddhism

Came from Korea/China in 500s; influenced art, government, and culture; sometimes conflicted with Shinto

Prince Shōtoku

Promoted Buddhism and centralized government; sent envoys to China; created Seventeen Article Constitution

Shōtoku's Constitution

Based on Confucian ideas; encouraged harmony and loyalty; strengthened imperial authority

Taika Reforms

Modeled after Tang China; centralized government; reduced power of regional clans

Tenmu Reforms

Continued centralization; expanded bureaucracy/legal codes; strengthened imperial rule

Immigrants from the Korean Peninsula

Brought ironworking and writing; spread Buddhism/Chinese culture; served as artisans and officials

Heian (new capital)

Capital moved to Heian-kyō (Kyoto) in 794; known for aristocratic court culture; central government weakened

Role of the Emperor (Heian)

Emperor mostly symbolic; Fujiwara family held real power; court politics dominated

Estates (Shoen)

Private tax-free lands; weakened government revenue; helped rise of warrior class

Heian Buddhism

Connected to aristocratic life; focused on rituals/spirituality; included Tendai and Shingon sects

Tendai

Founded by Saichō; taught all people could reach enlightenment; influenced by Chinese Buddhism

Shingon

Founded by Kūkai; focused on rituals and secret teachings; popular with elites

Kana

Japanese phonetic writing system; allowed writing in Japanese; important for women writers

Waka Poetry

Traditional 5-7-5-7-7 poetry; important in court culture; focused on emotion/nature

Heian Literature

Refined court writing and diaries; focused on beauty and relationships; many works written by women

"Women's" Literature

Women used kana for literature; included diaries/novels/poetry; famous example is The Tale of Genji

Painting (Yamato-e)

Japanese-style painting; focused on nature and court life; different from Chinese styles

Oligarchs

Small group of Meiji leaders controlled government; mostly former samurai; directed modernization

Role of the Emperor (Meiji)

Emperor symbolized national unity; legitimized reforms; oligarchs still held much real power

Universal Conscription

Required military service for men; ended samurai monopoly on warfare; created modern army

The Iwakura Mission

Leaders traveled to U.S./Europe (1871–73); studied Western systems; shaped modernization reforms

Guidance from the West

Borrowed Western technology/institutions; hired foreign experts; aimed for equality with Western powers

Government Involvement in Industry

Government built factories and railroads; encouraged industrialization; later sold industries privately

Silk Industry

Major export industry; funded modernization; relied heavily on labor from young women

Territorial Expansion

Japan expanded influence abroad; driven by nationalism/imperialism; sought resources and power

"Civilization and Enlightenment"

Promoted Western learning/customs; encouraged modernization; sometimes conflicted with tradition

Freedom and Popular Rights Movement

Demanded constitution and political participation; inspired by Western democracy; included some women activists

Satsuma Rebellion

Samurai revolt in 1877; led by Saigō Takamori; defeat showed strength of modern army

Meiji Constitution

Created constitutional monarchy in 1889; influenced by Germany/Prussia; emperor kept major power

Importance of Confucian Values

Emphasized loyalty and hierarchy; maintained social order; blended tradition with modernization

"Spirit of Meiji"

Combined modernization with Japanese identity; encouraged nationalism; reflected rapid change

Zaibatsu

Powerful family-run business conglomerates; examples include Mitsubishi and Mitsui; dominated economy

Disillusionment with the West / Social Darwinism

Japan faced unequal treatment from West; Social Darwinism stressed survival of strong nations; justified imperialism

Sino-Japanese War (Treaty of Shimonoseki)

Japan defeated China in 1894–95; gained Taiwan; increased international power/status

Annexation of Korea

Korea annexed by Japan in 1910; became Japanese colony; part of imperial expansion