The Evolution of Japanese Civilization Through History

Prehistory

Period before written records, starting 12,000 BCE.

Protohistory

Transition period leading to recorded history.

Nihonjinron

Discussion on Japanese national identity and character.

Cultural Essentialism

Belief in a singular national character.

Dower's Critique

Criticism of Japan's cultural essentialists and nationalists.

Paleolithic Age

Earliest human presence, nomadic hunter-gatherers.

Mesolithic Age

Period introducing agriculture to societies.

Neolithic Age

10,000 - 4500/2000 BCE, marked by settled agriculture.

Jomon Era

Period known for distinctive pottery and lifestyle.

Jomon Pottery

Earliest pottery with rope-like designs.

Edward Morse

American zoologist, pioneer of Japanese archaeology.

Omori Excavation

Site where modern Japanese archaeology began.

Dogu Figures

Small figurines, possibly fertility symbols.

Yayoi Era

300 BCE - 300 CE, marked by agricultural advancements.

Yayoi Migration

Three waves of migration from Korea to Japan.

Wet Rice Production

Agricultural method introduced during Yayoi period.

Dotaku

Bronze bells found across Japan, possibly musical.

Yayoi Magatama

Comma-shaped beads, part of imperial treasures.

Himiko

Shamanistic leader of Yamatai, first named Japanese.

Yamatai

Historical region associated with Himiko's rule.

Chinese Influence

China's recognition provided legitimacy to early Japan.

Kofun Period

Period from 300 to 552 CE in Japan.

Three Kingdoms of Korea

Fought and influenced migration to Japan.

Kofun

Large keyhole-shaped tombs for the elite.

Magatama

Curved, comma-shaped beads found in tombs.

Haniwa

Terracotta statues used in burial practices.

Wazumi technique

Method of coiling clay for Haniwa.

Hashihaka Kofun

Possible tomb of Himiko in Nara.

Nintoku

Benevolent ruler with Japan's largest tomb.

Buddhism's Introduction

Brought to Japan from Korea in 552 CE.

Soga family

Promoted Buddhism and reforms in Japan.

Prince Shotoku

Key leader in early Japanese reforms.

Seventeen-Article Constitution

Document promoting Buddhism and Confucian values.

Heian Period

Japan's classical period marked by cultural refinement.

Man'yoshu

First collection of Japanese poetry, over 4000 poems.

Choka

Long form of Japanese poetry.

Waka/Tanka

Short form of Japanese poetry, 5-7-5-7-7.

Sedoka

Head-repeating form of Japanese poetry.

Gagaku

Court music influenced by China and Korea.

Fujiwara Ascendancy

Powerful family controlling the emperor for centuries.

Miyagi

Refinement and sophistication in court culture.

Monogatari

Prose literature genre in Heian period.

Kana

Japanese syllabary for native and foreign words.

Iroha Poem

Perfect pangram showcasing kana script.

Murasaki Shikibu

Author of 'The Tale of Genji', first novel.

Sei Shonagon

Author of 'The Pillow Book', lists of thoughts.

Karma

Belief in cause and effect in Buddhism.

Tendai Buddhism

Founded by Saicho, syncretic and esoteric.

Shingon Buddhism

Founded by Kukai, emphasizes realization in body.

Honji-suijaku

Concept of kami as manifestations of Buddhist deities.

Heian-kyo

Capital city moved from Nara to Kyoto.

Cherry Blossoms

Symbol of beauty and impermanence in Japan.

Shinden-zukuri

Architectural style of noble residences.

Kokinshu

Imperial anthology of Japanese poetry, 905.

Buddhist Deities

Kami regarded as different forms of deities.

Courtly Refinement

Cultural elegance and behavior in Heian society.

Aristocratic Women

Had independence but still inferior to men.

Six Schools of Buddhism

Different sects influencing Japanese beliefs.

Mudras

Religious hand gestures in Shingon Buddhism.

Diamond World Mandala

Symbolizes interconnectedness in Buddhist belief.

Buddhists

Followers of Buddhism, influencing Japanese practices.

Burisakas

Grounds for Japanese Buddhist practices.

Shinto deities

Spiritual beings in Shintoism, linked to Buddhism.

Buddhist deities

Divine figures in Buddhism, associated with Shinto.

Shrines

Sacred spaces containing Shinto and Buddhist symbols.

Pure Land Scrolls

Illustrations depicting Pure Land Buddhist teachings.

Tendai Buddhism

Buddhist school emphasizing diverse texts and practices.

Prince Genshin

Promoter of Pure Land teachings, not a sect founder.

Gaki zoshi

Depiction of hungry ghosts with tiny mouths.

Yamai no Soshi

Also known as 'Evening Faces', from Genji.

Murasaki Shikibu

Author of the world's first novel, Genji.

Tale of Genji

First novel, over 1200 pages, 54 chapters.

Waka

Traditional Japanese poetry included in Genji.

Emotional complexity

Depth of feelings portrayed in Genji's characters.

Heian period

Era marked by cultural flourishing in Japan.

Insei era

Period of cloistered emperors, 1086 - 1185.

Hogen Disturbance

1156 conflict over succession disputes in Kyoto.

Heiji Disturbance

1159 conflict leading to Taira clan's power rise.

Gunki monogatari

War tales, fictionalized accounts of battles.

Genpei War

Conflict between Minamoto and Taira clans, 1180-1185.

Taira no Kiyomori

Regent and chancellor, pivotal in Heike clan.

Minamoto no Yoshinaka

Cousin of Yoritomo, key in Taira expulsion.

Kyushu

Region where the Genpei War concluded.

Heike Monogatari

Epic tale of the Taira clan's downfall.

Biwa hoshi

Blind priests who performed Heike songs.

Taira no Kiyomori

Antagonist, consumed by hatred, dies mid-tale.

Minamoto Yoritomo

Protagonist, first Shogun of Japan.

Dan-no-Ura

Final battle where Taira clan loses.

Mujo

Buddhist concept of impermanence, 'not always'.

Karma

Buddhist principle of cause and effect.

Hard impermanence

Illusion of permanence in life is false.

Courtly refinement

Cultural appreciation of beauty and elegance.

Martial spirit

Valuing natural life and warrior ethos.

Atsumori

Character whose death is poignantly depicted.

Gio and Hotoke

Love triangle leading to Gio's nunnery.

Kamakura period

Era of new governmental power (1185-1333).

Shogunate

Military government led by a shogun.

Nun Shogun

Hojo Masako, influential in decision-making.

Hojo regency

Hojo clan's administrative control over shogunate.

Imperial authority

Legitimizes shogun's power in Japan.