Song Dynasty, Confucianism, Japan, Shintoism, Korea, Printing, and Champa
Confucius
c. 551-478 B.C.E
-wanted policical, social, and economic stability
-chinese philosopher
The Analects
Political & Social Philosophy - NOT A RELIGION
Confucian Value: Junzi
individuals who are educated, conscientious
Confucian Value: Ren
sense of humility, kindness, and benevolence
Confucian Value: Li
respect for elders
Confucian Value: Xio
filial piety, respect for family obligation and ancestors
5 basic relationships
Ruler/Subject, Parent/Child, Husband/Wife, Older brother/Younger brother, Friend/Friend
Characteristics of Confucianism
Compatible with other religions
Created close societies
government liked it
led to orderly society
did not extend out of east asia
Neo-Confucianism
Blend of Confucian, Buddhist, & Taoist teachings
Reconciles traditional Confucianism with spirituality from other traditions
Focused on respect for authority, family, & class structure
Human nature is good, goal is to attain purity. Ideal man is the “Learned Sage”
Daoism/Taoism ☯
Lao-Tzu, c. 500 B.C.E.
Ethical System/Way of Life
NOT A RELIGION
Coexists with other traditions
The Dao
The “way” of nature
Wuwei
removal from worldly affairs
Taoists did not engage in politics - too worldly
Daoist/Taoist Beliefs
Scientific advancement is a way to be in harmony with nature
Belief in equality between sexes & classes
Accepted by the lower classes
Social Classes in China
Patriarchal - reinforcedby confucian values that emphasized obedience of wife to husband
Family - unit of society
Wealth generally based on land ownership
Growth of a large merchant class
Patriarchy
a system of society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of the family & descent is traced through the male line
Mandate of Heaven
Belief that dynasties rise & fall according to the will of heaven or ancestors
Dynastic Cycle
A dynasty rises to a political, cultural, & economic peak and then, because of moral corruption, declines, natrual disasters, loses the Mandate of Heaven, and falls
Song Dynasty
960 - 1279
Civil Service Exam
Bureaucrats chosen by merit
Increase role & prestige of scholar-gentry class
wealthy peopl have better access & resources to pass the exam
Song Dynasty Accomplishments
Fast-growing rice from Vietnam: Champa Rice, twice as many crops in one season
Paper Money Increases
Oceanic Explorations
Junks: large Chinese ships
Controlled Trade in the Indian Ocean
Gunpowder - traveled to Europe via trade
Silk Road trade grows
Moveable type printing
Abacus invented (beaded math board thing)
Fall of the Song Dynasty
1279
Never a strong empire
Paying tribute to nothern enemies burdened the economy
Confucian scholars given jobs as leaders of the army
Mongolian invaders overthrow Song Rulers, 1279
Tribute
payment made periodically by one state or ruler to another, especially as a sign of dependence
Women in China
China = Patriarchy
Wu Zhao - Only empress of China, r. 690-705
Women were generally subservient
Dowager Empress Cixi, 1835-1908
Dowager
a widow with title or property derived from her late husband
Concubine
women with whom a man cohabits without being married
One having a recognized social status in a household below that of a wife
Footbinding
Practice of tying a girls’ feet so that they did not grow
Seen as “beautiful”
cultural norm
Japan: Early influences from China & Korea
Confucianism (Voluntarily Borrowed)
Yamato Clan
5th Century\
Only Dynasty to rule Japan
Current Emperor - Naruhito, May 2019 (126th Monarch)
Period of Japan
Nara Period: 710-794
Heian Period: 794-1185
Cultural Highpoint
Government became localized into small states
Shintoism
Shinto: the way of the gods
Worship of Kami-Nature & all of the forces of nature both seen & unseen
Emperor is a direct decendant of the Sun Goddess
Korea
Colonized by the Qin Dynasty
Maintained native cultural practices
Horse Breeding
Shamanism
Koryo/Goguryeo
918-1392
Korean Kingdom
Peaceful relations with Song China
Promoted Buddhism
Pottery/Green Pottery
Printing
Carved woodblock printing
Shared with Song China
Created the first formal movable type printing (Koryo)
Vietnam
Champa, 192 - 1832
Largely Hindu (Hindus migrated from India)
Important on the Spice trade
Fast-growing rice