JAPAN

JAPAN

GeographyFour major islands:-Hokkaido-north -Honshu-main island-Shikoku-southeast-Kyushu-southernmost of the main islands Archipelago: A chain of consecutiveIslands. Japan is a mountainousarchipelago.

Geography

Negative

Not enough land for

farming

Volcanoes

Tsunamis—

underwaterearthquake

Positive

Less chance of being

Invaded

Inland waterway,

communication

Seafaring nation

Japan Early History

Account of the Three Kingdoms

--297 A.D. Wei Zhi

--China’s view a law abiding people

who depended on agriculture and

fishing.

--Wa=dwarf, China’s name for Japan

Japan Early History

-5th Century Tribal Society

-Uji/Clans—ruled by hereditary chiefs

and worshipping the clan’s ancestor

-Yamato Clan—unified all other uji/clans to become the ruling force.

-Amaterasu-Sun Goddess. The Yamato

were priests and active in building

shrines to the sun goddess

SHINTOThe Way of the Gods

Kami-no-Michi

Torri—gateway to signal sacred ground ahead.

Clapping Hands—attract God’s attention

Water/Running Water—seen as a purifying

agent, to remove the obstruction that blocks

inspiration and divine communication.

Torri

Running Water

Shinto Lion Dance

Shinto Wedding

7th Century Japan

Prince Shotoku regent, he rules during

Childhood. A few important dates

604—Seventeen Article Constitution reverence for Buddhism by all Japanese.

607-614—sends embassies to China to siphon off culture

629—Shotoku dies

Heian Period (794-1185)Emperor Kammu (781-806) moves the capital toHeian (modern Kyoto) preserved T’ang culture.

Heian’s control extended all of Kyushu and gained Honshu by the late 8th and 9th centuries.

Aristocracy—they were given land grants inrecognition of their rank or special service. Much ofthe land slipped of the tax rolls as a result.

Heian Period (794-1185)

Cultural Advancements

Literature—The Tale of Genji Murasaki

Shikibu (Lady Muraski). The life of a prince

and his personal affairs with court ladies.

spoke of manners, dress, and court policies.

Bonsai—the artificial dwarfing of trees and

shrubs in pots or tubs, originally Chinese.

Kamakura Period (1192-1333)

Start of Japanese Feudalism. Kamakura starts

with a rebellion in 1180.

Yoritomo and Yoshitsune seized Heian and

defeated them in battle in 1185.

Bakufu—tent government, administration

established by the Shogun.

Shogun (Seii-tai)—Barbarian Subduing General

emperor’s military advisor of chief of staff

Japanese FeudalismShoen—large estates, developed their own armiesto defend their lands. Many shoen were foundedby families and provincial officials.Bushi—warrior descended from the aristocracySamurai—retainer Equipment

Swords—long and shortHelmets—bore clan crestBows and Arrows—as opposed to lances

in Europe

Japanese Feudalism

Bushi Code

Harakiri—Stomach Cut

Seppuku—Disembowelment

Rise of Ashikaga1331--Kamakura Shogunate forces the Emperor

Go-Daigo to abdicate. A revolt ensues.

Kamakura Shogunate Emperor

Go-Daigo

turns against (escapes)

the Shogun

-Ashikaga captures

Ashikaga Takauji sent Kyoto and declares

to capture the Go-Daigo himself Shogun 1338

End of Asikaga PeriodOda Nobunaga—a minor fedual lord who

takes control of Kyoto in 1568. How?

Destroys Buddhist monastery of Mt. Hiei

Why?

1) They were a threat to future stability

2) They played a significant role in both

the political and military course of

Japan

Zen Buddhism

Brought to Japan from China in 1191 by

Eisai, a monk.

Centered on simplicity with out priests or

temples, quiet contemplation, acceptance of

nature and strict discipline.

Meditation—clearing and concentrating the

mind and focused breathing.

Cultural Diffusion--Arrival of Portuguese

--Vasco Da Gama reaches an island off the southern

coast of Kyshu.

--Oda Nobunaga attracted to them by the hope of trade

profits. Nobunaga embraces Western technology such

as firearms and iron cladding on warships.

--Oda Nobunaga also expresses an interest in

Christianity and encourages the Portuguese as a

counterweight against Buddhist power.

Christianity in Japan

1549--St. Francis Xavier begins a major missionary

effort in Japan.

1582--Oda Nobunaga murdered by his generals

1615--Half a million Japanese had become

converts