Developments in East Asia 1.1

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