Japanese History and Culture

These flashcards cover significant terms and concepts from Japanese history and culture, spanning from ancient periods to modern times.

Jōmon Period/Culture

Japan’s earliest known culture, around 14,000–300 BCE, characterized by hunting, fishing, and clay pots with rope patterns.

Yayoi Period/Culture

Period from 300 BCE–300 CE that introduced wet-rice farming and metal tools, leading to permanent villages and social classes.

Kofun

Large tombs built for powerful rulers between the 3rd and 6th centuries, reflecting political control and class differences.

Yamatai Kingdom

One of Japan’s first political kingdoms, ruled by Queen Himiko, known for spiritual leadership and peace through magic.

Uji & Be

Clan families and workers that formed Japan’s early social and political system, illustrating pre-imperial organization.

Kami

Sacred spirits in nature central to Shintō belief, representing purity and life energy.

Ritual Pollution (Kegare)

Spiritual impurity caused by death or bad acts, requiring purification rituals.

Three Sacred Treasures (Sanshu no Jingi)

Symbols of imperial power representing wisdom, courage, and kindness, linked to the sun goddess Amaterasu.

Mandate of Heaven (Tianming)

A Chinese concept that rulers govern with divine approval; adapted in Japan to emphasize divine ancestry.

Pure Land (Jōdō)

A form of Buddhism that promises rebirth in paradise through faith in Amida Buddha.

Nenbutsu

The practice of chanting "Namu Amida Butsu" to express devotion to Amida Buddha.

Kanji

Chinese characters used in the Japanese writing system.

Kana

Simpler Japanese scripts (hiragana and katakana) derived from Kanji.

Yōkai

Japanese spirits or monsters, blending local beliefs and modern culture.

Ōkimi vs. Tennō

Terms meaning 'great king' and 'heavenly ruler,' reflecting the divine authority of early Japanese rulers.

Missions to Tang China

Embassies sent to China that influenced Japan’s laws, culture, and art.

Sesshō & Kanpaku

Regent roles held by noble families when the emperor was unable to rule.

Ritsuryō System

A government system adopted from China that organized land and taxes under clear laws.

Shōen Estates

Private lands owned by nobles or temples that were exempt from taxes, weakening the emperor's control.

Genpei War (1180–1185)

Civil war between the Taira and Minamoto clans, leading to the establishment of Japan’s first samurai government.

Shōgun

Military leader ruling in the emperor’s name, holding real political and military power.

Bakufu

Tent government led by the shōgun, marking the warrior-dominated rule in Japan.

Battle of Sekigahara (1600)

A decisive battle establishing Tokugawa Ieyasu as shōgun and uniting Japan.

Shi-nō-kō-shō System

Social class hierarchy in Tokugawa Japan ranking samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

Ryūkyū Kingdom

An island nation that maintained trade and cultural identity before being incorporated into Japan.

Eta and Hinin

Groups outside the main social system associated with 'unclean' jobs, highlighting purity concerns.

Nanban Trade

Contact with European traders in the 1500s that introduced firearms and Christianity to Japan.

Shimabara Rebellion (1637–1638)

A revolt by farmers and hidden Christians against oppressive taxes and persecution.

Dejima Island

A Dutch trade outpost during Japan’s period of isolation, connecting Japan to Western ideas.

Shintō vs. State Shintō

The distinction between Japan’s native religion and the government-controlled version promoting emperor worship.

Dutch Learning (Rangaku)

Study of Western science and medicine during Japan’s isolation, facilitating future modernization.

National Learning (Kokugaku)

Cultural movement emphasizing Japan’s classical heritage and rejecting foreign influences.

Kokutai

Concept of Japan as one family under the moral rule of the emperor.

Amaterasu

The sun goddess in Shintō, considered the ancestor of the Japanese imperial family.

Izanami & Izanagi

Deities credited with creating Japan and linking the divine and natural realms.

Emperor Jimmu

Legendary first emperor of Japan, symbolizing divine origins.

Queen Himiko

Ruler of the Yamatai Kingdom known for spiritual powers and leadership.

Prince Shōtoku

6th-century regent who advanced Buddhism and established government reforms.

Soga Clan

Powerful family that supported the spread of Buddhism in early Japan.

Ainu

Indigenous people of northern Japan, illustrating cultural diversity before unification.

St. Francis Xavier & Anjirō

Early Christian missionaries in Japan, marking the beginning of Christian communities.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Samurai leader who unified Japan and set policies that influenced the Tokugawa period.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate who established a long period of peace.

Commodore Matthew Perry

American officer who forced Japan to end its isolation and open trade.

Emperor Meiji

Leader during Japan’s modernization, adopting Western advancements.

Meiji Constitution (1889)

Established a modern government system in Japan, incorporating Western and traditional elements.

State Shintō (Kokka Shintō)

Government-controlled version of Shintō promoting loyalty to the emperor.

Yasukuni Shrine

Shrine honoring soldiers, controversial due to its inclusion of war criminals.