Japanese Civilization

The House of Yamato

The House of Yamato is the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, established in Japan over a millennium ago, with lineage tracing back to Emperor Jimmu circa 660 BC.

The "land where the sun rises"

A term for Japan, referencing its location east of Asia, where the sun rises.

Nihon/Nippon

The two pronunciations of Japan in Japanese; "Nihon" is used in everyday speech, while "Nippon" is used officially and conveys national pride.

Empress Suiko

Reigned from 593 to 628 AD, she was Japan's first female emperor and significantly promoted Buddhism.

Prince Shotoku

A regent during the Asuka period, Prince Shotoku promoted Buddhism, adopted Chinese culture, and established a moral constitution.

The Taika Reforms

The Taika reforms (645 AD) were political and social changes in Japan focused on centralizing power and adopting Chinese governance.

Ritsuryo ("regular") state

The Ritsuryo state system was an ancient Japanese administrative framework, based on Chinese models, featuring a codified bureaucracy and legal structure aimed at centralizing government control.

Shoen

Tax-exempt manors in Japan, granted to aristocrats and temples, serving as agricultural production centers and fostering economic independence from central authority.

Nara (the city)

Nara is a historical city in Japan that was the capital from 710 to 794 AD, known for its temples, including Todai-ji, which houses a giant Buddha statue.

Nara period

The Nara period (710-794 AD) in Japan saw the establishment of a centralized government, flourishing Buddhism, and adoption of Chinese cultural influences, centered in Nara.

Kanji

Logographic characters in Japanese writing, derived from Chinese, representing whole words or concepts.

Kana

Kana is the Japanese writing system with two syllabaries, Hiragana for native words and Katakana for foreign words, representing phonetic sounds.

Heian (the city)

Heian-kyo, now Kyoto, was Japan's capital from 794 to 1868, established during the Heian period as a political and cultural center known for art, literature, and the Japanese court system.

Heian period

The Heian period (794-1185 AD) is marked by the flourishing of literature and aesthetics, the rise of the noble class, and peaceful imperial governance, epitomized by works like 'The Tale of Genji'

Regent

A regent administers a state when the monarch is absent, minor, or incapacitated. Prince Shotoku was a notable regent in Japan, promoting Buddhism and adopting Chinese culture.

Marriage Politics in Japan

Strategic marriage alliances among the Japanese imperial family and nobility aimed at consolidating power, forming alliances, and ensuring political stability.

Retired Emperor

A Retired Emperor ("Daijo Tenno") is a former emperor in Japan who abdicated the throne, allowing them to remain a symbolic figure; notably seen with Emperor Akihito's 2019 abdication, the first in over two centuries.

The Fujiwara clan

A powerful noble family in Japan from the 9th to 12th centuries, known for establishing a regency system and significantly influencing imperial politics and culture.

Murasaki Shikibu

Author of 'The Tale of Genji,' the world's first novel from the early 11th century, emphasizing love, beauty, and complex human relationships.

Japanese illustrated handscroll

Japanese illustrated handscrolls (emaki) are long, narrative paintings that convey stories through images and text, dating back to the 9th century, often depicting historical, religious, or literary themes.

The tension between civilian and military rule in Japan

Historically, military leaders challenged civilian authority in Japan, particularly in the early to mid-20th century, leading to militarism and conflicts like World War II.

The rise of the samurai

During the Heian period, samurai emerged as warrior aristocrats relied on for protection, leading to their prominence and the establishment of bushido, with substantial military influence in the Kamakura period.

The Emishi Wars

A series of 8th-9th century military campaigns aimed at conquering the Emishi people of northeastern Japan.

Shogun

The shogun was the military ruler of Japan during the feudal period, often holding more power than the emperor and responsible for the country's military and political decisions.

The Genpei War

A 12th-century conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans, resulting in the Taira's defeat and the creation of the Kamakura shogunate.

The Tale of the Heike

A Japanese epic depicting the conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans in the late 12th century, focusing on themes of loss, impermanence, and the cyclical nature of power.

The Tale of Genji

The world's first novel, written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, it follows Hikaru Genji's life and loves, exploring themes of beauty, love, and life's impermanence.

Aesthetic of 'The Tale of Genji'

The aesthetic of 'The Tale of Genji' reflects the Heian period's emphasis on subtlety and sensibility, often portraying nature and emotions in delicate, nuanced ways. It emphasizes the fleeting nature of beauty and the complexities of human relationships.

Taira vs Minamoto

The Taira and Minamoto clans were rival families in Japan during the late Heian period. The Taira were in power, and the Minamoto opposed them. Their conflict culminated in the Genpei War (1180-1185), which resulted in the Taira's defeat and the rise of the Minamoto clan, leading to the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate.

Minamoto no Yoritomo

The first shogun of Japan who established the Kamakura shogunate in 1192, marking the start of the feudal era and shifting power from the imperial court.

Taira no Atsumori

A young warrior in 'The Tale of the Heike' whose tragic death in battle against the Minamoto symbolizes youth, honor, and life's impermanence.

Noh theater

Noh is a 14th-century traditional Japanese theater that combines music, dance, and drama with slow movements and masks to express emotions and explore themes of spirituality, nature, and the human condition.

Shinto

Shinto is Japan's traditional religion focused on the worship of kami (spirits associated with nature, ancestors, and sacred places) and emphasizes rituals celebrating nature, purity, and tradition.

Shin (jin)

In Shinto, 'shin' (or 'jin') signifies a divine being or deity.

Kami

Spirits or deities in Shinto associated with nature, ancestors, and sacred places, revered for their divine influence.

Izanagi & Izanami

Izanagi and Izanami are Shinto deities who created the Japanese islands and kami. Izanami died during childbirth, prompting Izanagi's unsuccessful journey to the underworld to retrieve her.

Amaterasu

The sun goddess in Shinto, revered as a principal deity and ancestress of Japan's Imperial family.

The Grand Shrine of Ise

One of Japan's most sacred Shinto shrines dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, located in Ise, Mie Prefecture, known for its beauty and rebuilt every 20 years to symbolize renewal.

The "relocation of kami" ceremony

A Shinto ritual where a kami spirit is transferred between shrines, symbolizing its presence.

Torii

A torii is a traditional Japanese gate at Shinto shrine entrances, symbolizing the transition from the mundane to the sacred.

Heaven and Hell in Early Japan

In early Japan, heaven (Takamagahara) was seen as a divine realm of gods, while hell (Yomi) was a dark underworld for the dead, influenced by Shinto and Buddhist traditions, reflecting the duality of life and the afterlife.

Buddhism in Japan

Introduced in the 6th century via Korea, Buddhism significantly shaped Japanese culture, art, and philosophy, coexisting with Shinto.

Buddha

The Buddha, originally named Siddhartha Gautama, was a spiritual leader who attained enlightenment and founded Buddhism in the 5th-4th centuries BC in India.

Bodhisattvas

Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings in Mahayana Buddhism who remain in the cycle of rebirth to assist others in achieving enlightenment.

Buddhism and the state in Japan

Buddhism significantly shaped Japan's culture and politics, with rulers promoting its institutions, fostering a mutual reinforcement of power between the state and religion, especially during the Nara and Heian periods.

Buddhism and the state in Japan

Buddhism shaped Japan's culture and politics, as rulers promoted its institutions, reinforcing the power of state and religion during the Nara and Heian periods.

Estate of Buddha

The estate of Buddha encompasses the physical and metaphysical realms linked to the Buddha, including his teachings, the community of practitioners, and the diverse forms of Buddhist practice and cultural impact

Pure Land

A paradise in Buddhism where beings attain enlightenment, linked to Amitabha Buddha's teachings, promising rebirth for those who sincerely invoke his name.

True Pure Land

True Pure Land (Jodo Shinshu) is a 13th-century sect of Pure Land Buddhism founded by Shinran, emphasizing faith in Amitabha Buddha's grace for salvation and enlightenment.

He who retreats [goes to] the worst of the eight hells

The phrase "He who retreats [goes to] the worst of the eight hells" signifies that retreating from virtue leads to severe consequences in Buddhist cosmology.

Kamakura (the city)

Kamakura was Japan's political center from 1192 to 1333 and the first shogunate seat established by Minamoto no Yoritomo.

Kamakura period

The Kamakura period (1185-1333) marked the rise of the samurai class and shogunate, characterized by military governance and the growth of Zen Buddhism.

The Ashikaga shogunate

The Ashikaga shogunate (1336-1573), or Muromachi shogunate, was a feudal regime in Japan succeeding the Kamakura, characterized by decentralized governance and cultural flourishing, notably in Zen Buddhism and the arts.

The Onin War

The Onin War (1467-1477) was a pivotal civil conflict in Japan that marked the beginning of the Sengoku period. It was characterized by feudal warfare and power struggles among various clans, particularly over control of Kyoto.

Sengoku period

The Sengoku period (1467-1603) was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and near-constant military conflict in Japan, characterized by the rise of powerful regional warlords (daimyōs) and the breakdown of centralized authority

The Mongol invasions

Kublai Khan led the Mongol invasions of Japan in the 13th century (1274 and 1281) in an attempt to conquer the country. Both attempts were thwarted, aided by typhoons called kamikaze.

The Low Overthrowing the High

The phrase "The Low Overthrowing the High" describes how lower societal classes can challenge and potentially overthrow higher ranks, highlighting themes of rebellion, social mobility, and historical power dynamics.

The culture of lawlessness

A societal condition marked by ineffective legal authority, resulting in heightened crime and social disorder.

Ikko-Ikki

A 15th-16th century Japanese movement of Shin Buddhist followers aiming for a theocratic society, opposing samurai rule and promoting social equality.

Fushimi

Fushimi refers to the Fushimi Inari Taisha, a famous Shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan, known for its thousands of vermillion torii gates. These gates create stunning paths up Mount Inari, which is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, agriculture, and foxes. This shrine is a popular spot for both local worshippers and tourists.

Azuchi

Azuchi refers to the Azuchi Castle, built by Oda Nobunaga in the late 16th century and served as a symbol of his power, representing the unification of Japan during the Sengoku period.

Japanese pirates

Active from the 14th to 16th centuries, 'wokou' raided East Asian coasts, impacting trade and prompting military responses.

Sengoku daimyo

Powerful feudal lords in Japan during the Sengoku period (1467-1603), ruling lands and maintaining private armies while frequently engaging in conflicts for power and territory.

Domains

refers to the regional territories controlled by feudal lords, or daimyo, during the Sengoku period and beyond. Each domain was governed independently and had its own administrative structure, often engaging in military and political rivalries with other domains.

Azuchi-Momoyama period

The Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600) in Japan was marked by the unification efforts of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, featuring political consolidation, cultural growth, and the construction of notable castles like Azuchi Castle.

Nanban trade

The Nanban trade refers to the 16th and early 17th-century trade interactions between Japan and European nations, especially the Portuguese and Spanish, which introduced new goods, technologies, and cultural exchanges that significantly influenced Japanese society and economy.

Red seal ships

Authorized by the Tokugawa shogunate, red seal ships were trading vessels that facilitated overseas trade, particularly with Southeast Asia, during Japan's early modern period.

Hidden Christians

Hidden Christians in Japan were those who practiced Christianity in secret, primarily during the Edo period (1603-1868) when the religion was banned. They maintained their faith through clandestine rituals, often blending elements of Shinto and Buddhism to evade persecution.

Unification of Japan

The unification of Japan refers to the process that occurred in the late 16th century, when significant figures like Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi consolidated power. This ended the Sengoku period's fractious warlord conflicts and established centralized rule.

Oda Nobunaga

A late Sengoku period daimyo known for initiating Japan's unification through military strength and innovative strategies.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

A key figure in the late 16th century who completed Japan's unification after Oda Nobunaga's death, known for his military skill, government reforms, and cultural initiatives like Osaka Castle.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Founder of the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1868), crucial for Japan's unification and establishing a centralized feudal system that ensured over 250 years of peace and stability.

The Honno-ji Incident

The Honno-ji Incident occurred in 1582 when Oda Nobunaga was betrayed by one of his generals, Akechi Mitsuhide, while staying at Honno-ji Temple in Kyoto. Nobunaga was forced to commit seppuku, marking a critical turning point in the unification of Japan.

Imjin War

The Imjin War (1592-1598), or Japanese invasions of Korea, involved Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaigns resulting in widespread destruction. It saw unified Korean and Ming Chinese forces repel Japanese invasions.

The sword hunt

The sword hunt of 1588 was an edict issued by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, prohibiting the common people from owning or carrying weapons, consolidating power and enforcing social class distinctions in Japan.

The sword hunt

The 1588 sword hunt edict by Toyotomi Hideyoshi prohibited commoners from owning or carrying weapons to consolidate power and enforce social hierarchies in Japan.

The Battle of Sekigahara

The 1600 Battle of Sekigahara was a decisive conflict that established the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan, ending the Sengoku period and starting over 250 years of peace.

Origins of Japan's Ruling Dynasty

The origins of Japan's ruling dynasty, the House of Yamato, trace back to Emperor Jimmu, believed to have established the dynasty around 660 BC. It is recognized as the world's oldest hereditary monarchy.

The endurance of the House of Yamato

The House of Yamato has endured uninterrupted to the present day due to a combination of factors including its deep-rooted cultural significance, the political legitimacy it provides, and its symbolic role in Japan’s identity and unity as the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world.

Heian period

The Heian period (794-1185 AD) is characterized by a flourishing of literature and aesthetics, the rise of the noble class, and peaceful imperial governance, notably seen in 'The Tale of Genji'.

The rise of the samurai

During the Heian period, samurai emerged as warrior aristocrats relied on for protection, leading to their prominence and the establishment of bushido, with substantial military influence in the Kamakura period.

How did samurai shape Japan's history?

Samurai were central to Japan's military and political evolution, establishing feudalism, influencing governance, and shaping cultural identity through their code of bushido, which emphasized loyalty, honor, and discipline.

Comparison of 'The Tale of Genji' and 'The Tale of the Heike'

'The Tale of Genji' focuses on the life and romantic exploits of Hikaru Genji during the Heian period, emphasizing beauty, love, and complex human emotions. In contrast, 'The Tale of the Heike' depicts the struggles and conflicts between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the Genpei War, exploring themes of loss, impermanence, and the cyclical nature of power.

Buddhism and the state in Japan

Buddhism significantly shaped Japan's culture and politics, with rulers promoting its institutions, fostering a mutual reinforcement of power between the state and religion, especially during the Nara and Heian periods.

Differences in Japan's Response to Buddhism and Christianity

Japan embraced Buddhism in the 6th century, integrating it with Shinto, while Christianity faced resistance from the 16th century, especially during the Edo period, due to concerns over foreign influence.

Political fragmentation during the Sengoku era

The Sengoku era (1467-1603) was marked by powerful regional warlords (daimyōs) competing for control, resulting in social upheaval, weakened central authority, and continuous military conflict.

Factors leading to Japan's unification in the late sixteenth century

Japan's unification in the late sixteenth century was driven by key leaders like Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who used military strength, alliances, and reforms to establish centralized rule and end Sengoku conflicts.

Japan's early historical ties with China

Prior to the Edo period, Japan's relationship with China was characterized by cultural exchange, trade, and the adoption of Chinese political and philosophical systems, especially during the Asuka and Nara periods.

Influence of China on Japanese politics

Chinese political systems, particularly Confucianism, significantly influenced the development of Japan's governmental structure and bureaucratic practices throughout ancient and medieval periods.

Cultural influences from China to Japan

Japanese culture absorbed various elements from China, including Buddhism, art, literature, and writing systems (kanji), shaping its artistic expressions and religious practices.

Japan's response to Chinese influence

While heavily influenced by Chinese culture, Japan selectively adapted these elements, leading to a unique Japanese identity that blended both local and imported traditions.

The impact of Tang and Song dynasties on Japan

The Tang and Song dynasties had a profound impact on Japan through the introduction of advanced technologies, agricultural practices, and literature, enhancing the sophistication of Japanese society.

Political legitimacy through association with China

Japanese leaders sought to legitimize their rule by emphasizing connections to China, often viewing Chinese culture as superior and using Chinese models for governance and statecraft.