February 2022 Flashcards
What does Nippon mean?
“Land of the Rising Sun”
What 3 geographic elements most influence Japanese society?
islands, mountains, and wet climate
What are 3 effects of Japan being an archipelago?
fish diet, settled late with an imported culture, and safe from invasion
What are 2 effects of Japan being part of the “Pacific Ring Of Fire?”
earthquakes and volcanoes
What are 2 effects of Japan’s wet climate?
culturally valued nature and beauty and great for growing rice
What was Japan’s traditional religion and what was it based?
Shinto based on nature, kami (spirits), and ancestor worship
From whom was the emperor descended and how did his power change over time?
from the sun goddess; he remained a religious leader with no real political power
Who was Prince Shotoku?
6th century regent to Empress Suiko who was ga-ga over all things Chinese
By the 9th century what was Japan’s feeling about China?
that the Chinese had nothing good to offer so they cut off contact
Who were the Fujiwara?
Clan that controlled the emperor by marrying into the royal family
What was Heian-Kyo?
The capital city, later called Kyoto
What is the Heian-Kyo era known for?
Japan’s golden age - culture centered on manners, rank, and beauty
What cultural elements were developed during the Heian-Kyo period?
Yamato-e - painting style
Tanka - poetry style of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables
Women Authors - Murasaki Shikibu / Sei Shonagon
What led to the end of the Heian era?
The Taira and Minamoto clans overthrew the Fujiwara, but Heian culture still continued
What elements make up written Japanese?
Kanji - “Chinese writing” full words characters
Kana - syllable sounds
How did Buddhism come to Japan?
The King of Korea sent monks and a Buddha statue to the emperor
What was Amida Buddhism based on?
Faith - prayer to a deity-like bodhisattva to get you into the Western Paradise
Why was Zen Buddhism popular with samurai?
Based on meditation and focused on inner strength while helping them overcome their fear in battle
What is the samurai code of conduct called?
Bushido - the “Way of the Warrior”
Who ruled Japan between the 12th and 16th centuries?
Daimyo (land owning lords) occasionally under the control of the shogun (military leader)
What events challenged Japan’s feeling of security?
The two invasion attempts by Kublai Khan
How were they able to defeat the Mongols?
Kamikaze (divine winds) helped destroy the ships and samurai were able to fend of soldiers that came ashore.
What was the outcome of the wars against China?
Though the Japanese gained a sense of unity and national superiority, debt bankrupted the government and the shogunate collapsed
When did Japan become reunited again?
In 1603 under Tokugawa Ieyasu
What gave Tokugawa Ieyasu the advantage over his rivals?
Guns, though they did consider that cheating
What did the Tokugawa Shogunate do to keep Japanese unity?
Banned foreigners and guns, redefined the samurai culture, and executed anyone who followed foreign ways (like Christianity)
When did the Tokugawa Shogunate end?
In 1868 under the pressure of foreign trade and technological inferiority
What was a woman’s place during the feudal period and later?
Though they could be samurai, they were considered inferior to men
What act was expected of samurai to maintain his honor?
To commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for his lord
What simple form of poetry was important to samurai?
A haiku, composed to be spoken just before their death
What is the different of Noh and Kaubki Theatre?
Noh - mythical themes, wore masks
Kabuki - everyday themes, wore heavy makeup
What did high eyebrows and darkened teeth signify?
Innocence and purity to Heian nobles
