do now 11/19/14 what is shamanism? explain the beliefs
TRANSCRIPT
Do Now 11/19/14
Shamanism- belief that certain people could communicate with spirits
Known as shamans Mostly women Carried out rituals-songs, dances, and
chants to convince spirits to help people People believed shamans could cure
illnesses
Clear Targets
Compare the major features of Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion, and Japanese Buddhism
Examine the Japanese nation during the Nara period
Geography & Settlement
Japan lies to the east of Korea and China Japan is an archipelago- chain of islands Because of mountains only a small amount
of Japan’s land can be farmed Many Japanese built villages along the
coast and fished Japan was isolated-separated- from the rest
of Asia As a result, Japan developed a independent
civilization
The First Settlers
First settlers probably arrived from northeastern Asia around 20,000 years ago
About 300 B.C. a group of people, the Yayoi (YAH-yoy) brought farming to Japan
By A.D. 300 Yayoi had organized into clans
Each clan was headed by a warrior chief who protected the people
The First Settlers
The Yayoi were also skilled metalworkers, made pottery, and grew rice.
Bronze bell created by the Yayoi
The Yamato
During the A.D. 500s a clan called the Yamato ruled most of Japan
Yamato chiefs claimed to be descended from a sun goddess who sent her grandson to rule over the people of Japan
According to legend a Yamato leader named Jimmu was the great-grandson of this goddess
Jimmu took the title “emperor of heaven” and became the first emperor of Japan
Shinto: Way of the Spirits
Early Japanese believed in animism- belief that humans, animals, plants, rocks, and rivers all have their own spirits
People believed they could call on the kami or the nature spirits for help
To show respect Japanese worshipped at holy places
These beliefs developed into a religion called Shinto
Shinto: Way of the Spirits
Shinto means “way of the spirits” It has contributed to the Japanese love of
nature; simplicity, cleanliness, and good manners
Shinto later became linked to Japan’s rulers
Their duties included taking part in Shinto rituals to ensure the well-being of Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjHhFgvq_co&index=94&list=PL8LHC5iLKDgNGaiwLxahrPoD1jEvrJ2vx
Visiting a Shinto Shrine
Prince Shotoku
About A.D. 600 a Yamato prince name Shotoku ruled Japan on behalf of his aunt
He wanted to give Japan a strong, well-organized government, so Shotoku created a constitution; or plan of government
The emperor was an all-powerful rule and the Japanese were expected to obey him
Specific rules in the constitution based on the ideas of Confucius, stated how they should perform their duties
Prince Shotoku
Shotoku admired Chinese civilization and wanted the Japanese to learn from it
Officials and students studied Buddhism, as well as Chinese art, philosophy, and medicine
After Shotoku’s death, officials continued to use China as a model for Japan
Prince Shotoku
In A.D. 646, the Yamato began the Taika, or Great Change
Japan was divided into districts ruled by officials who reported to the emperor
All farmland was placed under the emperor’s control
Clan leaders could oversee the farmer’s work, but government officials now collected taxes
Taika reforms created Japan’s first strong government
The Nara Period
In early A.D. 700s, Japanese emperors built a new capital city called Nara
During this period, the Japanese emperors ranked government officials into a hierarchy
They did not use examinations to hire officials
The emperor gave positions to nobles from powerful families
In return for their service these officials received large farms
The Nara Period
The emperor’s control of the land gave him great power
Buddhist teachings had reached Japan from Korea in the A.D. 500s
During the Nara period Buddhism was powerful in Japan
In A.D. 770 a Buddhist monk tried to seize the throne
Disturbed by the incident the emperor decided to leave Nara for a new capital
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hle43IAxF6s&index=1&list=PL4pu0lQKMr73JHrSl3714EZy39PqESg4F
Todaiji Temple
Chapter 9 Lesson 2 Review
Title paper: Chapter 9 Lesson 2 Review
Answer questions #1-5 on page 223 Include textual evidence
Chapter 9 Lesson 2 Review
How does a constitution benefit society?
Offers a standard set of rules by which everyone in the country must live
Chapter 9 Lesson 2 Review
Why was early society in Japan isolated?
Japan is composed of islands and was therefore largely isolated from other nations, like China and Korea
Chapter 9 Lesson 2 Review
How did animism affect people’s views about nature?
Early Japanese believed all things in nature are alive
If humans, animals, plants, rocks, and rivers had their own spirits they would gain importance and merit greater respect
Chapter 9 Lesson 2 Review
What was Prince Shotoku’s main reform in government?
He wrote Japan’s first constitution, or plan of government
Made the emperor an all-powerful ruler and forced all of the people to obey him
Chapter 9 Lesson 2 Review
How did the Japanese way of hiring officials differ from the Chinese during the Nara period?
Chapter 9 Lesson 2 Review
How did the Japanese way of hiring officials differ from the Chinese during the Nara period?
The Chinese used a system of examinations (civil service examinations) to hire government officials
In Japan, officials were appointed by the emperor and mostly came from wealthy noble families
Reflection: Shinto Narrative
Choose an object that can be found in nature, such as an animal, flower, or specific kind of leaf. Write a fictional short story about the first time your nature spirit was called upon to help someone. Who called for help How did they call for help What was the problem How did your nature spirit help; or was your
nature spirit able to help