THE SPREAD OF CHINESE CIVILIZATION to Korea, Japan, Vietnam

Medieval pattern: Civilizations spread beyond their major centers (as in the case of Islam spreading to South and East Asia).

KOREA

I. Pattern of Korea’s relationship with China A. Partially conquered by Han (108 BCE-313 CE) B. Post-Han: Independent kingdoms pay tribute to China. C. Mahayana Buddhism spreads to Korea, then Japan, after fall of Han. D. Korea adopts Chinese writing system.

II. SILLA, 668-935 C.E.

A. Tributary to Tang China B. Imitated Tang; sent scholars to China to study and to bring back Confucian classics

Silla dynasty tomb mounds, Kyongju

Remember him?

CHINA

C. Chinese-style bureaucracy filled via exams

pavilion on grounds of Changdeokgung Palace (1405, Seoul) where exams were held

D. Aristocracy too strong to allow scholar-bureaucrat class

E. Buddhism too strong for Confucianism to take root (1) Monks are influential at Silla court. (2) Silla kings patronize monasteries and temples.

Pulguk-Sa temple (751 C.E.), Kyongju

Sokka-t’ap and Tabo-t’ap pagodas at Pulguk-Sa temple, Kyongju

Punhwang-Sa temple (634 C.E.) Chomsangdae observatory

(7th c.)

Hall where wood blocks for printing Buddhist scriptures (13th c.) are kept, Haein-Sa temple

“Three Buddhist Treasures” motif atHaien-Sa monastery

swastika (s-vasti-ka = “conducive to well-being”)on shrine in Chinjufortress

tile from Ottoman Empire

F. Korea’s economy is subordinated to that of Tang and Song China: Korea imports luxury goods (silk clothing, scrolls, etc.), exports raw

materials (copper, wood). G. Korea exports some luxury goods for Chinese (and Japanese) elites.

“Emille” Bell, Kyongju National Museum Koryo (918-1392) celadon (porcelain)

III. Rule by aristocracy A. Aristocracy is too powerful for warlords, bureaucrats, or other social elements to dislodge (in contrast to China). change of dynasty = change of aristocratic family Silla, 668-935→Koryo, 918-1392→Yi/Lee (Choson), 1392-1910

B. Choson dynasty patronizes Confucianism, persecutes Buddhists.

throne at Changdeokgung palace, Seoul

C. Choson King Sejong (1418-50) develops Hangul alphabet.

Chinese calligraphy

JAPAN

I. Island that absorbs Chinese cultural influences while re- taining political autonomy

II. Emperor = minor Shinto god, descendant of sun goddess

III. Adopts Chinese writing system, 4th century Mahayana Buddhism arrives via Korea,

6th century.

IV. Adopts Chinese political structure, 7th century

A. Sinified emperor: “Son of Heaven” B. Bureaucracy staffed by exams in Confucian classics C. Japan’s bureaucracy is filled by urban aristocrats influential at court (no scholar- gentry class, as in China).

CHINA

V. Aristocratic court culture, 8th-9th centuries: tea ceremony, landscapes, haiku 1st novel: Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki (c. 973-1025)

VI. Buddhism remains a much greater socio-cultural force than in Tang and Song China.

VII. Aristocrats and provincial warlords are too powerful for emperor to rein in→feudal system dominated by warlords by 12th century

VIETNAM (Annam)

I. Southeast Asian cultural sphere: Chinese/Indian

II. Theravada Buddhism spreads directly from India, strikes deeper roots.

III. Partially conquered by Han (111 B.C.E.), who introduce Chinese writing and bureaucracy.

IV. Aristocracy rebels against Chinese, 10th century. Vietnam remains independent until 19th c.

V. Vietnamese expand into other parts of SE Asia, become dominant political/cultural force in region.

CHINA

statue of medieval Vietnamese emperor