Japan, Korea and Ming Dynasty

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on Japan, Korea and Ming Dynasty, designed to help students review and prepare for an exam.

Japan

A country in East Asia located in the Northwest Pacific Ocean.

Japanese lifestyle and geographical features

Very mountainous, hard to unite

Island, surrounded by water

• Few natural resources: must rely on trade, few resources helped to create hardworking, resourceful society

• ARCHIPELAGO w/ 4 MAIN ISLANDS:

  • seas protected Japan (Korea was also a buffer) and helped make it a unique yet isolated culture (ethnocentric)

  • Long coastline = excellent fishing industry

  • Hard to unify:

    • More clan based

    • Come to use a feudal 

system

On the ring of fire

• tecnoic plates, lots of natural disasesters (ex: Tusanmi)

  Space

• Ity bity

  Japan —> small
  

What was Japan like before they had contact with other cultures?

• Clan-based: each had own gods

• Heavily influenced by the native religion:
  Shintoism

  • Ethnocentric

  • Polytheistic religion meaning “way of the gods”

  • There was a heavy focus on nature

  • Kami= nature spirits or divine spirits (spirits can be found in nature!)

  • Rituals  focus on ancestor worship and nature worship

  • No sacred scripture

  • Fun fact: kamikaze= divine wind (they believed protected the Japanese from invaders); kamikaze planes in WWII were seen as protectors of Japan.

Korea

A country in East Asia; formerly one country, now divided into North Korea and South Korea.

Yellow Sea

A coastal body of water located between China and Korea.

Archipelago

An archipelago is a group of islands closely scattered in a body of water.

How did archipelago with 4 main islands shape Japanese living and development?

Seas protected Japan (Korea was also a buffer) and helped make it a unique yet isolated culture (ethnocentric).

Ring of Fire

A geographic area known for frequent earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity.

Japanese selective borrowing under the Yamato clan?

• Prince Shotoku engaged in selective borrowing.

• The Prince wanted to study China “first hand” after learning about them through the Koreans, so he sent scholars there to observe.

• After interacting with the Chinese, Prince Shotoku developed his own Constitution based on Chinese ideas: 

  1. Established emperor as an authority.

  2. Confucian relation structure “imported,” and an emphasis on proper behavior (“li”).

  3.  Emphasis on harmonious society.

Japanese selective borrowing under the Yamato clan?

• Buddhism is introduced in about 500 A.D. when the Japanese started interacting with the Shilla in Korea.

• But Japanese are practicing Buddhism by infusing it with Shintoism. 

  • Shintoism was more for everyday use (family rituals).

  • Buddhism provided more spiritual guidance and structure—there were ideas of ethical behavior and preparing  for the next life that were appealing to the Japanese. 

Both religions’ focus on
harmony allowed for overlap.

How did the Heian period try to emulate China? (794-1185 AD)

• They drew a lot of influence from the Tang Dynasty.  

• They copied ideas of city layout, architecture, and tea ceremonies.

• They copied Chinese behavior, etiquette, dress/fashion.

• This helped them reach a golden age in which great literature was produced.

• Tale of Genji produced during this time. It was written by a woman.

• It was the world’s first full length novel.

Japanese values

Values nature!

What conditions led to a feudal society?

(12^th century - 19^th century) 

(japan)

• Selective borrowing brings in the concept of an emperor, but Why might it have been hard for him to rule (think geography!)?

• Heian Dynasty (good time period) but clans still dominated the countryside

• Threats of invasion; bandits in countryside

• Problems/fighting between clans (fight for resources) and large landowners challenged the government.  There were many civil wars

Feudal System Japan

How did feudal roles provide order in Japanese society?

• Gave everyone a responsibility and promoted a system of interdependence

• Gave everyone protection 

• Also promoted loyalty and good behavior during an unstable time

• The emperor was just a symbolic figurehead – more like a puppet figure that shoguns often took advantage of.

• People still respected the emperor though because he was thought to be a descendent of the sun god!

Samurai

• Samurai were the warrior class that existed in Japan  and became more prominent during the feudal age 

• They had many weapons but their swords were most prized

How were samurai’s supposed to behave in a feudal society?   (Code of Bushido)

• Loyalty to landowner and family. Respect the social hierarchy

• Put others’ needs before your own

• Practice Seppuku (suicide) in response to dishonor

• Deep reflection on actions; mental discipline

• Devotion to duty - fighting to death if necessary

• Decisiveness

• Samurai’s followed Zen Buddhism

• A form of Buddhism that focused on meditation (reinforced self-discipline) and having compassion for all, and for seeking (spiritual) freedom.  

Japanese Samurais vs. European Knights
(Code of Bushido vs. Chivalry Code)

• Both warriors valued bravery and honor, though Samurai practice of Seppuku was beyond the expectation of a Christian knight

• In Europe, lords entered into reciprocal “contracts” that ordered society. In Japan it was more of a “moral contract” (It was morally right to serve your leader since he was presumably wiser).  Lower classes in Japan didn’t thus have a sense of their political rights

• Japanese men could select which child would receive inheritance rights (thus avoiding many problems of succession).

• Women were not thought of as weak and beings that needed protection.  Samurai class women even fought!

What problems existed in

Medieval Japan?

• After a powerful shōgunate fell in 1338, political power fragmented.

• There was no single, powerful Shōgun.

• Daimyo were spread out across the country

• Decentralized feudalism with many competing Shōguns developed. 

• Disunity and conflict were norms. 

Age of the Warring States (1467-1568)

• Power shifts from above to below - from Shōgun to Daimyos

• Europeans arrive in Japan, bringing firearms & Christianity.

• Christianity & foreign trade flourish.

• Power belonged to whatever family could win it in battle

Then…the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu

• 1600: Tokugawa Ieyasu won an important battle, gaining complete control of Japan, making him shōgun.

• This began the Tokugawa Shōgunate—a long period of prosperity and stability that lasted until 1868!!

• He enforced a centralized feudalism. 

• Discuss! What do you think that means?

How did Tokugawa Ieyasu centralize power?

• Created a disciplined and educated military that answered to him
  
  

• People had to go to the shōgun to get permission for all things

• Enforced a strict 4 class system (no social mobility)
  
  

• These measures helped to unify Japan (finally!) under one strong shōgun

Christianity in Japan?

• Christianity was not a powerful force in Japanese society during Tokugawa period. 

• But it did disturb the ideological homogeneity of that Japanese leaders associated with Order and Stability—prized values. 

• Leaders did not to give it a chance to grow. 

How did society benefit from Tokugawa Ieyasu’s measures to unify and isolate Japan? 

• Safer land = agricultural boom = higher population.

• Towns developed due to population increase.

• Capital city, Edō, began to grow as well.

• Links between Japanese towns strengthened = great for commerce.

• More construction of roads (for daimyos to use to travel to the capital to spend half the year with the shōgunate).

Development of culture  (art, plays, poetry, etc.) 

• Rise of a new type of theater called Kabuki which featured lively action, colorful costumes and exciting plots.

• Begin to use woodblock prints as a form of art.

• City lifestyle changed 

  • More emphasis on sensual luxury, entertainment, and “conspicuous consumption”. 

  • Clothing style became more lavish.

• Class “reputations” changed

  • Merchant status rose because they helped towns grow/lent money out.

How did China shape Korean society?

• Early history: Korea was divided into 3 kingdoms in 300-600 A.D. (Koguryo, Paekche, Shilla).
  
  

• These divided kingdoms will become unified under Shilla kingdom (Tang Dynasty will help Shilla do this).
  
  

• Since the Tang helped the Shilla to consolidate power, the king agreed to become a tributary state to China.
  
  

• Since we now know that Korea will be the “cultural bridge” between China and Japan, what aspects of Chinese society do you think will diffuse into Korea? 

How did China shape Korean society?

• Confucian principles serve as basis for government (see China as the “older brother.”)
  
  

• Restricted role of women (before Shilla ruled, women had more rights).  Why would women lose rights/privileges under Shilla? 
  
  

• Civil service exams used to appoint officials.
  
  

• (Mahayana) Buddhism is introduced.
  
  

• Arts, writings (histories and poems), woodblock print. 

  • Koreans thus had access to the Chinese written language.
    

3 Korean dynasties

•  668-918: Silla  

(Korea heavily influenced by China.)

• 918-1392: Koryo
  
  

• 1392-1910: Choson (Korea starts developing own identity.)

Chinese Expansion

•  Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)  

•  Korea’s many periods of disunity & unity

•  Japan’s Tokugawa Shogunate

What was the Ming dynasty’s initial foreign policy?

• “The countries beyond the horizon and from the ends of the earth have all become subjects…We have crossed immense water spaces and have seen huge waves like mountains rising sky-high, and we have set eyes on barbarian regions far away…while our sails loftily unfurled like clouds day and night continued their course, crossing those savage waves as if we were walking on a public highway…” –Zheng He, Ming dynasty Admiral

What was the Ming dynasty’s initial foreign policy?

• 1405-1433:  Emphasis on exploration (to show off Navy) and economic control

• Admiral Zheng He sailed the Indian and Western oceans, visiting more than 30 countries from Asia to Africa and as far as the central and eastern coasts of the African nations.

• Zheng He's first fleet included 27870 men on 317 ships. 

• Willing to interact with others (but to show off their wealth; collect tribute)

• Wanted to establish trade networks

Why did China lose its lead?

• Confucian scholars fought with Eunuchs over political power (who is most loyal to emperor?) and foreign policy

  • Eunuchs- support commerce

  • Confucians- did not support commerce b/c then not focused on helping parents, honoring ancestors; suppress worldly things

• New Emperor in 1424 supported Confucian policies

  • Stopped all voyages; destroyed ships/records

• Europeans were more greedy—so they took the lead

• The Chinese were ethnocentric: didn’t believe they had anything to learn

• China was unified (so if emperor said no, that was it). Europe was disunified (so if an explorer needed funding he could appeal various countries for support and countries competed)

• Not enough money to fund navy at such a grand scale

• Leftover problems from Mongols Rule (Recovery!)

Why did the Ming turn isolationist and was this policy beneficial or detrimental to society?

Besides having a Confucian emperor ban future exploration, there were other reasons why the Ming suddenly relied on a foreign policy of isolationism 

Shogun

11^th century - Rise of shogun 将軍 (military commanders) They will have the real power in society even though the imperial court will still exist.

Located on the "ring of fire"

Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, typhoons. Prone to have coastal towns destroyed, resources destroyed = impact settlement patterns; influence religious views; different types of architecture have to be used

Few Natural Resources

Must rely on trade

Mountains

Difficulty in uniting Japan, Overcrowded plains and lowlands impacting settlement and farming, Development of terrace farming and Mountains will protect Japanese

Advantages of Korea's Geographic Location

Protected along northern border. Able to trade/interact with “two whales”. Plenty of food (fish). Can reap the benefits of cultural diffusion

Disadvantages of Korea's Geographic Location

Left open by the sea = prone to attack; Limited farming land/building space/living space; 2 superpowers can easily take advantage of you or take you over; hard to unify.

Tributary State

A nation that pays tribute to a more powerful nation

Ming Dynasty

A dynasty in China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, known for its initial period of exploration and later turn towards isolationism.

Foreign policy

An outline of a particular nation’s posture in regard to its international relations.

Ming dynasty’s initial foreign policy

Emphasis on exploration (to show off Navy) and economic control through Admiral Zheng He's voyages.

Reasons to become an isolationist

Confucian scholars fought with Eunuchs over political power, Eunuchs support commerce and Confucians did not support commerce.

Jizya

A tax on non-Muslims in a Islamic state.

Sati

Sati is a practice among married Hindu women to throw themselves on their husband's funeral pyre.

Gunpowder Empires

Muslim empires of the early modern period that used gunpowder technology to expand and maintain their rule.

Babur

Founded the Mughal Empire in 1526.

Akbar

Grandson of Babur, conquered India after local Indian rulers rose up against the Mughals. Akbar the Great is known for perceiving that 3 things were needed if his Empire was to be stable and long-lasting. Fair rent, impartial Rule and Religious Tolerance

Taj Mahal

The greatest example of Mughal architecture, built by Shah Jahan in 1631.

Religious Tolerance

Ended the jizya (tax on non-Muslims), Promoted Hindus into the government, Married a Hindu princess, Allowed Hindu temples to be built, Often met with Catholic priests