nara and heian period japan centralization of japan, cultural diffusion from china, and the...

Nara and Heian Period Japan

Centralization of Japan, Cultural Diffusion from China, and the

breakdown to the Feudal Period

Nara Period• Tribal society • 1st official gov’t Japan ruled by the Yamato

Clan/capital at Nara around 400• Longest ruling family in the world

– Emperor = divine/descendent of Sun Goddess

• Taika Reforms secure gov’t system • Show influence of China but two major

differences:– No Mandate of Heaven– Not Confucian

Shinto & Buddhism

• Native religion = Shinto

• Shinto = animistic/nature spirits

• Buddhism and Shinto were not opposed. -Syncretism

Tōdai-ji東大寺

Heian Period- 794-1185• Government eventually becomes

decentralized

• Emperor lost power, outlying provinces gained power; Japan enters feudal stage.

• Culturally, a Golden Age/many women had prominent cultural roles

• Tale of Genji- Woman wrote the world’s first novel, about court life among the nobility

• Spiffy culture: Origami, tea ceremony,

haiku, sumo

Zen Buddhism– "meditation." – teaches that enlightenment is achieved

through the realization that one is already an enlightened being. This awakening can happen gradually or in a flash of insight

– But in either case, it is the result of one's own efforts. Deities and scriptures can offer only limited assistance.

Feudal Period

• Noble families fought = increasing decentralization

• Emperor = figurehead. Shogun = powerful ruler/warlord

• Daimyo = equivalent to European Lords• Samurai = warriors in vassal position to

daimyo• Bushido = Samurai code of ethics• Samurai failure = Seppuku (belly-splitting)

Prepare for Cuteness