Medieval Japan (Chapter 5)

The except describes an aspect of Japanese culture that developed during the Middle Ages.

"Samurai grew to be the...ideal for the whole race..."As among flowers the cherry is queen, so among men the samurai is Lord," so sang the populace. Debarred from commercial pursuits, the military class itself did not aid commerce; but there was no channel of human activity, no avenue of thought, which did not receive in some measure an impetus from Bushido. Intellectual and moral Japan was directly or indirectly the work of Knighthood."

Based on the excerpt and your knowledge of Japanese history, which statement describes one impact of the samurai way of life on Japanese society?

• The military power of rulers decreased.

• The ethical behavior of the people improved.

• Control by the government bureaucracy increased.

• Religious membership in traditional faiths shrank.

Shinto recognizes ___________ as being nature spirits they can look to for help.

• kami

• bushido

• animism

• katana

The belief that humans, animals, rocks, plants and rivers all have their own spirits is

• kami

• animism

• bushido

• katana

People who follow Shinto believe

• in one god.

• everything in nature has a spirit.

• in Buddhism.

• they should follow a vegetarian lifestyle.

Though the Japanese during the Nara period were heavily influenced by the Chinese they differed in the way they hired government officials. In Nara Japan officials were hired because they

• were from powerful noble families.

• were friends of the emperor.

• did well on civil service exams.

• were related to the emperor.

Prince Shotoku looked to this country as an example of successful government.

• China

• Egypt

• Italy

• Korea

After the Minamoto successfully defeated the Taira in a civil war, the Japanese emperor wanted to ensure the loyalty of Minamoto Yoritomo. He did this by

• declaring war against the Minamoto family.

• giving Minamoto Yoritomo the title of shogun.

• persuading the Mongols to side with him against the Minamoto.

• declaring a state of emergency and shutting down the government.

Followers of Zen Buddhism discipline their bodies through

• faith.

• martial arts.

• meditation.

• poetry.

Followers of Zen Buddhism discipline their mind through

• faith.

• meditation.

• martial arts.

• poetry.

The art and architecture of Japan shows the Japanese love of

• complexity.

• columns and domes.

• Korean styles.

• simplicity.