Ancient Japan

Japan is what type of geographical formation?

An archipelago

Define archipelago

Chain of islands

List the four islands that make up Japan

Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku

Honshu

Largest island, largest cultural center, largest population, lots of mountains, and major cities

Hokkaido

Northern most, second biggest island in size but not population (due to cold), and animals gravitate to hot springs (snow monkeys)

Kyushu

Southern most island, dense forests, third biggest, Nagasaki: one of only two cities that were hit by an atomic bomb

Shikoku

Smallest island, Longest bridges in the world (Honshu to Shikoku)

How much of Japan’s land is farmable?

About 1/5 due to mountains

What are Japans two major currents?

Oyashio Current (Cold) and Kuroshio Current (Warm)

What can happen if two cold and warm currents collide?

Harsh weather such as hurricanes and storms

What is Japan’s name

Nippon (older) or Nihon (younger/ more popular today)

What is the meaning behind Japan’s name

“The Land of the Rising Sun”

Why “Sun Origin?”

The eastern geo-graphical location

Japan’s origin in mythology?

The Japanese are descendants of the sun goddess, Amaterasu; imperial family members are considered direct descendants

How long ago did Japan’s settlemets’s begin to grow?

\~2000 years ago

What are the four main theories of Japan’s origins?

1. Ice Age people in Japan before 20,000 Bc
2. Horse-riding Asian nomads who conquered Japan in the 4th century
3. Immigrants from Korea who arrived in Japan around 400 BC
4. Combination of the three other theories

Define what a Kami is?

Spirits in nature

\~700s AD Japan’s Animalism becomes known as what?

Shinto

What is the meaning of Shinto?

“The Way of the Gods”

Define a Torii

Gate into a Shinto shrine

Define a Jinja

Main shrine behind a Torii, used to make offerings and send prayers

Shinto is basically a what?

A religion

What are the main principles of being a Shinto?

Purity, cleanliness, harmony, respect for nature, importance of the group over the individual

When was the first Japanese empire established?

\~400s AD

What was the first and only imperial family?

The Yamato

The early emperors were considered what?

Chief priests of Shinto

What happened to the imperial family and the common citizens?

As generations go on the imperial families became more and more separated from the average citizens

Japan used what type of charters early on?

Chinese characters

The start of what  spurred development of true Japanese writing?

Calligraphy

Buddhism comes to Japan from where?

China

List examples of Buddhism’s syncretism with Shinto.

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Zen Buddhism grows popular (strong nature component), Buddhist monks can perform Shinto rituals, Shinto practices lead to Buddhist Enlightenment, Because of clear afterlife, Japanese funerals become Buddhist, Births and marriages: Shinto rituals

Japan sends ambassadors to China in 600s AD and the realize what?

Realize Chinese superiority

What year does Japan build the capital city of Heian?

794 AD

What is the ear called after Heian is established?

The Heian Period

The Heian Period is considered Japan’s what?

Japan’s Golden Age

Why was the Heian Period considered Japan’s Golden Age?

Explosion of independent Japanese culture, art, music, calligraphy, literature, poetry written in Japanese

What is the name is history’s first novel?

The Tale of Genji

Who wrote the The Tale of Genji?

 Lady Murasaki Shikibu

The Tale of Genji is considered the first of what type of novel?

First “psychological” novel

Define feudalism.

Political system based on the granting of land in return for loyalty, military assistance and other services.

When did Japan begin to use feudalism?

\~800s AD

What does the Lord receive in feudalism?

Dues/ crops from the peasant from the lord and loyalty from the peasant

What does the peasant receive in feudalism?

Land from the lord and military assistance from Lord

What was the Emperor’s role/job?

Seen as a “figurehead,” symbolic leader, and lacks government authority

What was the Shogun’s role/job?

Had “real” government power, and controlled military, finances, law/courts

What was the Daimyo’s role/job?

They were local lords - owned parcels of land and translates to “great names”

What was the relationship like between the Emperor and the Shogun?

Had little direct contact, Emperor is respected, but it is understood that shogun holds true power

What is the relationship like between the Shogun and Daimyo?

They Daimyos have more local authority than the shogun, Shogun can easily overpower one daimyo

What was the Samurais’ role/job?

Hired warriors, devoted to defense, strict and disciplined

What is the meaning of Bushido?

“The Way of the Warrior”

What is Seppuku or Hara-kiri?

Ceremonial suicide

What was the relationship like between the Daimyo and the Samurai?

Daimyo is the samurai’s employer, the samurai vows to protect the Daimyo’s land

What was the peasants’ role/job?

Work their piece of land, would pay Daimyo crops and dues

Who was first non-imperial family gains more politics power than emperor?

The Fujiwara family

Where did the name Kamakura Shogunate come from?

After founding city

Who was the first shogun?

Minamoto Yoritomo

During civil war which family took over as the Shogun?

Ashikaga Shogunate

What are the six forms of Zen art?

Zen gardens, yea ceremony, noh theater, ikebana, and haiku

Where sis Zen Buddhism originate?

China.

Why did Zen Buddhism blend so well with Shinto?

Shared nature themes.

How would you get one the path to enlightenment?

Long hours of meditation, rigorous self-discipline

Zen Buddhism first appeals towards?

To samurai and eventually adopted by the country

What is the meaning of Sado?

“The Way of the Tea”

What was the origin of Sado?

Caffeine preventing drowsiness during long hours meditating

What is the usage of a Koan?

Zen brainteaser used to divert the mind