Chapter 9: Early, Classical, and Medieval Japan Flashcards
1
Q
Straits of Tsushima
A
- Body of water that tied Korea and Japan closely
- Known samurai headquarters in the islands of Tsushima
- Dangerous waters to sail
- Also known for piracy
2
Q
yayoi
A
First known inhabitants of Japan
- Had very hairy characteristics (“hairy Ainu”)
- By 3rd century B.C.E, introduced rice cultivation and first use of bronze and iron
- Made pottery using the potter’s wheel
3
Q
Ainu
A
“Hairy Ainu”
- Dominant occupants of the main island Honshu
4
Q
Uji
A
- Term for the number of clans that were divided across Japan
- Ruled by hereditary chiefs and worshipped the clan’s ancestor
- Yamato may have emerged from various Uji clans
- Combined religious and political functions
5
Q
Prince Shotoku
A
Regent of the Soga chief’s daughter
- Would issue a “Seventeen Article Constitution”
- Promoted the supremacy of the ruler (emperor), and established a form of admittance to the court based on skill
- Decreed Buddhism for all Japanese
- Modeled Chinese ministries
- Established bureaucratic ranks
- First Japanese ruler to send embassies to China
- Unified the Uji of of central Honshu
6
Q
Kami
A
The idea that things in nature have a divine spirit
- Similar to animism
- Shrines were built to honor kami
- Said to have started cults
- Central to Shintoism
- Emperors are kami too
7
Q
Heian / Heian Period
A
Reign after the Fujiwara
- Would refine the court system and modeled the Chinese court centering on intellectual and aesthetic self-cultivation
- Classical age of Japanese history
- Clothing and literary works would become more prominent during this time
- The Tale of Genji
- Pillow Book
8
Q
Murasaki Shikibu
A
Court lady; writer
- Woud write The Tale of Genji and would describe court living as well as the attire of the time
9
Q
The Tale of Genji
A
- Japanese story written by Murasaki Shikibu that talked about court living as well as some scandolous stories. It goes into detail on what the clothing was like back then as well as life amongst the aristocrats.
- Written by a woman which has not been prominent before
10
Q
Sei Shonagon
A
Court lady; writer; (1000 C.E.)
- Wrote the Pillow Book; a collection of stories about court life
- Written in kana
- The fact that women at the time were able to write such works shows how the status of women was generally better in Japan than anywhere else at the time
- Wrote about the Heian court
11
Q
Pillow Book
A
Written by Sei Shonagon, this was a collection of stories of the court that highlighted the aristocrats of the Japanese courts.
- Written in kana
12
Q
Zen
A
Focused on eternal truth and self-cultivation
- Form of Buddhism centered around:
- Meditation
- Nature
- Popular amongst samurai because it stressed:
- Discipline
- Spontaneity
- Also supported art and literature
13
Q
Shogun
A
Emperor’s chief military commander and angent
- Nobles would pay tribute, recognition and loyalty in exchange for the Shogun’s confirmation of the nobilities rights to the land.
- Shows the power shift from the state position to the military leaders
- Military warlord dictators
14
Q
Kamakura Period
A
- Minamoto clan would start this period after the Fujiwara
- Heian culture would influence the development of the Kamakura
- During this period, Khubilai Khan demanded the Japanese’s surrender and this conflict would define the period
- Would later divide the Kamakura and drain them of their resources
15
Q
Noh
A
Form of Japanese drama
- Developed during the Ashikaga Period
- Zen-inspired
- This form of drama was very particular on details and was very precise in the actors movements
