unit 1 - pg. 76-80

Comparative Cultural and Political Developments in Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia (600-1500 CE)

What were the three major dynasties in Korea and their time periods?

Unified Silla (688-900), Koryo (918-1932), and Joseon (1392-1910).

How did Korea maintain its political independence while interacting with China?

Korea maintained political independence through a tributary relationship with China, acknowledging China's preeminent position in East Asia and sending regular missions to the Chinese imperial court.

What cultural influences did Korea adopt from China?

Korea adopted Confucianism, which had a reportedly negative impact on Korean women, and other cultural practices, but Chinese influence was limited mainly to the aristocracy.

What was the significance of the phonetic alphabet Hangul in Korea?

Developed by 1400, Hangul encouraged Korean independence by providing a writing system reserved for private correspondence and fiction, especially among women.

How did the introduction of Confucianism affect women in Korea?

Confucianism led to increased restrictions on elite women in Korea, including limitations on property rights and social freedoms.

What distinguishes the cultural borrowing of Japan from that of Korea?

Japan borrowed culture voluntarily and selectively, due to the absence of a compelling military threat from China, allowing them to choose aspects of Chinese culture they wanted to adopt.

What was the impact of Buddhism on Japanese society?

Buddhism became a significant part of Japanese society, influencing art, architecture, education, and views on life and suffering.

What are the key features of the samurai culture in Japan?

Samurai culture emphasized bushido values such as bravery, loyalty, endurance, honor, and skill, contrasting with Chinese military virtues.

What is Shinto and how does it relate to Japanese beliefs?

Shinto is the indigenous spirituality of Japan focusing on kami (spirits), which provided legitimacy to the imperial family and coexisted with Buddhism.

What are the two parts of Southeast Asia mentioned in the notes?

Mainland Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar) and Maritime Southeast Asia (Philippine and Indonesian islands, New Guinea).

How did Vietnam's cultural development compare to Korea's?

Vietnam adopted Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and administrative techniques from China, similar to Korea, and maintained a tributary role while developing its unique cultural identity.

What role did women play in Vietnamese society compared to their counterparts in China?

Vietnamese women had a greater role in social and economic life, exemplified by figures like Lady Trieu, who led an anti-Chinese resistance movement.

What was the significance of the Chunom script in Vietnam?

Chunom served as the basis for independent national literature and was a vehicle for the writing of educated women.

How did the tributary system affect Vietnam's governance?

Vietnam's rulers adopted the tributary system, maintaining a vassal state relationship with China while utilizing Chinese administrative techniques.

What was the impact of Chinese cultural influence on the Vietnamese elite?

The elite viewed Vietnam as an extension of China, adopting many Chinese practices, but uniquely Vietnamese elements persisted among the broader population.

What were the main religions introduced to Southeast Asia through trade?

Buddhism, Hinduism, and later Islam were introduced to Southeast Asia via growing commercial networks.

How did the political power structure in Japan differ from that of China?

Japan's political power was decentralized, with local authorities gaining influence and the emergence of samurai warriors.

What was the relationship between Chinese cultural influence and the common people in Korea?

Chinese cultural influence had little impact on the common people, including peasants and enslaved individuals, who remained largely unaffected by elite cultural practices.

What were the characteristics of the Japanese writing system?

Japan developed its own writing system that combined Chinese characters with phonetic symbols.

How did the cultural practices of Japan evolve in relation to Chinese influence?

Japanese culture evolved distinctively, borrowing from China while developing its own artistic and literary traditions, often escaping the oppressive features of Confucianism.

What was the significance of the mandate of heaven in Vietnam's governance?

The mandate of heaven was used by Vietnamese rulers to legitimize their authority, similar to its use in China.

What was the impact of the absence of a compelling threat on Japan's cultural development?

The absence of a compelling threat allowed Japan to selectively borrow cultural aspects from China without the pressure of direct military occupation.