Japan Review

Medieval Japan

​Geography of Japan

Japan is an archepelago or a chain of islands
Japan has very mountainous terrain which made it difficult to farm
Japanese farmers relied on growing items on the coast
Fishing is also a major industry in Japan

Draw

Label the Map of Japan along with the ocean and sea that surrounds it.

Shinto

Shintoism

No sacred text
No Key Person/Prophet
localized tradition that focuses on ritual practices that are carried out
worship Kami or spirits in nature
Kami are spirits in natured that are concerned with humans
Religion native to Japan

Found at the entrance of a Shinto shrine

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Torii Gate

​Shinto Shrine and Monks

Multiple Choice

Which religion would best fit the characteristics listed in the chart?

• Hinduism

• Jainism

• Shinto

• Buddhism

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is trust about the Shinto religion?

• It shares sacred texts with Hinduism.

• It spread into China through cultural diffusion and trade.

• Followers believe in the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold path.

• It includes the worship of nature spirits.

-Buddhism came from China through Korea into Japan
-Architecture was also influenced by China.

More Influences...

Prince Shotoku admired the Chinese and brought back ideas from China emphasizing on a strong ruler (Confucianism) and adopting the Chinese writing system

​Nara Period

Chinese and Korean Influences

Multiple Select

Which three statements reflect the influence of China and Korea upon Medieval Japan?

• Japan began printing paper money in reflection of the Chinese style.

• Chinese writing influenced the development of kanji in the Japanese writing system.

• Confucianism was used in Japan as a basis for how government should be conducted.

• Shintoism had its origins in Ancient Korean religious practices.

• Buddhism spread to Japan through Chinese influence via the Korean peninsula.

Heian Period

794-1185

Capital of Japan moved to Heian-Kyo (modern day Kyoto)
Aristocracy (upper class) developed a Japanese culture as they focused on art, literature, luxury, theater, and fashion.
Famous author Lady Murasaki wrote the Tale of Genji which details the disconnect aristocracy had from common people in Japan.

Multiple Choice

What was the cultural relationship between Japan and China during the Heian period?

• Japan relied heavily on Chinese influences and closely modeled their society on the Chinese royal court.

• Japan redefined imported Chinese practices through a Japanese perspective, developing distinct styles of their own.

• Japan banned all Chinese cultural influences and worked to purge Japanese culture of any Chinese elements.

• China had no influence on Japan in this time period.

Multiple Select

Which three characteristics are representative of Heian era Japan?

• The aristocracy placed an emphasized value on art and culture.

• There was a blossoming of literature written by women during this period.

• The aristocracy were very involved in the economic dealings of their landholdings.

• Chinese culture was practiced exclusively during the Heian period.

• Investments were made in fashion, calligraphy, and architecture.

Military Society

After the Heian Aristocracy failed to govern, the emperor of Japan gave the title of Shogun to the strongest military general.
A military society known as feudalism is developed in Japan. Daimyo hired Samurai to protect their land and Shoguns maintained order in Japan while the emperor was a figurehead.

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Multiple Choice

Which social group was responsible for defending farmlands during the feudal period in Japan?

• Daimyo

• Samurai

• Peasant

• Shogun

Reorder

Reorder the following Japanese feudal positions from highest to lowest class system.

• Shogun

• Daimyo

• Samurai

• Peasants

• Merchants

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Draw

Draw a samurai warrior