Chapter 12 - Shaping a Unique Worldview (Japan) Flashcards
What are some of the Dark Sides of Nature in Japan?
• Japan is located in an area where several continental and oceanic tectonic plates meet
○ Earthquakes
○ Volcanoes
• Earthquakes can cause tsunamis, and devastating waves.
• Late summer and fall parts of Japan can get typhoons that cause great damage
• People have learned to be stoic, to learn to adjust, adapt, start over and rebuild.
• The Japanese’s ability to adapt to sudden change has become an important theme in Japanese life
Why is Japan called the land of the Rising Sun?
• Japan is known as the land of the Rising Sun because:
• According to the legend, the sun goddess, Amaterasu, was tricked into coming out of a cave, to bring light and hope to the Japanese people.
• All the rulers (emperors) of Japan are considered to be descendants of Amaterasu.
○ The Emperor is believed to be divine, and godlike.
○ Represents the gods here on Earth.
Describe the Geography of Japan.
- 380,000 square kms, which is only 60% the size of Alberta.
- Made up of 4 main islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu).
- In 1600, Japan’s population was already about 12 million people.
- Forested mountains, steep valleys cover 80% of Japan
- Only 18% of the country is level enough for agriculture and settlement
- Highest population densities are along the coastlines of Japan
- Very distinct and predictable seasons
How were the Japanese isolated?
- Geographically isolated because it is an island nation.
- Nearest neighbors are Korea, China, and Russia.
- Seas between Japan and mainland Asia are very rough so travel is difficult.
- Western coast of Japan does not have many places safe for harbors, there are fewer bays and inlets compared to the eastern side.
- Archaeological evidence that Japan had contact with China as early as the 200s and Japan in the 400s and Korea in the 800s.
- Europeans did not reach Japan until after the 1500s because travel was dangerous and they did not have the technology to make the journey.
How did Japan adapt/adopt other cultures?
- The Japanese included whatever elements of other cultures they wanted to include in their own.
- Adopted Chinese characters (writing) called kanji, and then adapted the characters to write Japanese, and now have a system called kana where they use a combination of Chinese and Japanese characters.
Map of Japan.
https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/japan-map.htm
What are Projections?
Systems of intersecting lines, such as the grid of a map, on which part or all of the globe or another spherical surface is represented as a plane surface.
What is Distortion?
Error.
What is a Cartographer?
A person who draws maps.
What does it mean to be Isolated?
When a person or group is set apart or cut off from others by geographic, ecologic, or social barriers.
What are Rituals?
Celebrations or ceremonies observed with regularity.
Who are the Ainu?
Japan’s Indigenous people.
What are Kamuy?
The gods of nature of the Ainu.
What is a Tsunami?
A strong, destructive wave caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions on the ocean floor.
What does it mean to be Stoic?
Used to describe a person who can control his or her emotions and endure difficult experiences with patience.
