HKJ Flashcards

History and culture of Japan

1
Q

is known for its earthenware
and hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

A

The Jomon Period (14,000 BC – 1,000 BC)

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2
Q

saw the introduction of rice
cultivation and metalworking.

A

The Yayoi Period (1,000 BC – AD 300)

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3
Q

witnessed the construction of
large burial mounds and the establishment of the Yamato Imperial Court

A

The Kofun Period (3rd to 7th century)

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4
Q

introduced Buddhism and Chinese
characters, while the Nara Period (710 – 794) saw the creation of
a centralized government and the construction of the Todaiji Temple.

A

The Asuka Period (592 – 710)

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5
Q

was marked by the rise of the
aristocracy and the emergence of samurai warriors.

A

The Heian Period (794 – 1185)

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6
Q

saw the establishment of
the first Shogunate and the Mongol invasions.

A

The Kamakura Period (1185 – 1333)

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7
Q

witnessed the Warring States
period and the introduction of guns and Christianity.

A

The Muromachi Period (1338 – 1573)

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8
Q

saw the unification of
Japan by Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

A

The Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573 – 1603)

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9
Q

was a period of prolonged peace and unity under the Tokugawa Shogunate. ~isolation

A

The Edo Period (1603 – 1868)

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10
Q

saw the modernization of Japan and the end of the feudal system.

A

The Meiji Period (1868 – 1912)

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11
Q

was a time of political parties and economic growth.

A

The Taisho Period (1912 – 1926)

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12
Q

witnessed Japan’s involvement in
World War II and its subsequent economic recovery.

A

The Showa Period (1926 – 1989)

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13
Q

Origin of the Japanese Language

A
  • The exact origin of Japanese is unclear.
  • Theories suggest possible links to Ural-Altai, Polynesian, and Korean languages.
  • Currently considered a language isolate (no close relatives).
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14
Q

Japanese Language Structure:

A
  • Agglutinative language: builds words by adding suffixes/prefixes.
  • Spoken by 130 million people.
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15
Q

Writing Systems:

A
  • Three main systems:
    o Kanji (Chinese characters): adopted with different readings (on’yomi, kun’yomi).
    o Hiragana: phonetic syllabary for native Japanese words and grammatical features.
    o Katakana: phonetic syllabary for foreign words and emphasis.
  • Latin alphabet: used for foreign words and abbreviations.
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16
Q

Vocabulary

A
  • Mix of native Japanese words (Wago), Chinese loanwords (Kango), and foreign loanwords (Gairaigo).
  • Wasei-eigo: “English made in Japan” - Japanese-created words adopted into other languages (e.g., karaoke).
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17
Q

Phonology

A
  • 5 vowels (short and long versions). A, I, U, E, O * ā, ī, ū, ē, ō (ilo time)
  • Limited consonant sounds. KA, KI, KU, KE, KO * TA, CHI, TSU, TE, TO
  • Pitch accent can change word meaning.
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18
Q

Japanese Text Input:

A
  • IME (Input Method Editor) software allows typing Japanese using a Roman keyboard.
  • NLP (Natural Language Processing) helps computers understand Japanese text.
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19
Q

Challenges of Computer Analysis of Japanese:

A
  • Complex grammar.
  • Ambiguity of kanji readings.
  • Lack of word spacing.
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20
Q

Cultural Differences and Translation:

A
  • Unique grammar and cultural expressions pose translation challenges.
  • Importance of conveying politeness and social hierarchy.
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21
Q

Technology and Japanese Language Learning:

A
  • Tools exist to help foreigners learn Japanese with interactive platforms and translation assistance.
  • Mobile apps provide vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation practice.
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22
Q

Neighboring countries

A

North Korea, South Korea, China, and Russia.

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23
Q

Located in the

A

Pacific Ocean

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24
Q

Comprises 6,852 islands, with 4 main islands

A

Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku.

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25
Q

bordered by the

A

Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan, and East China Sea.

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26
Q

Total area

A

377,973.89 km² (land: 364,543.89 km², water: 13,430 km²).

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27
Q

70% of the land is uninhabited, with 10% of the world’s active volcanoes.

A
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28
Q

Four main tectonic plates lead to frequent

A

earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons.

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29
Q

Japan’s highest peak (3,776 m).

A

Mt. Fuji

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30
Q

Climate varies

A

humid continental in the north, humid subtropical/tropical rainforest in the south.

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31
Q

remote islands

A

Okinawa

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32
Q

Japan’s longest river (367 km).

A

Shinano River

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33
Q

Largest lake (671 km²).

A

Lake Biwa

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34
Q
  • 126 million people (2019), making Japan the 11th most populous country.
  • 81% of the population lives on Honshu, Tokyo has over 10 million residents.
  • 98% ethnically Japanese, 2% mainly Chinese and Korean.
A
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35
Q
  • 11.65% arable land, 0.83% permanent crops, 87.52% sea.
A
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36
Q
  • 47 prefectures categorized into:
A

o 43 Ken (provinces)
o 1 To (Tokyo)
o 2 Fu (Ōsaka, Kyōto)
o 1 Dō (Hokkaidō).

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37
Q

Second-largest island, coldest region with 5.38 million people and low population density (63/km²).

A

Hokkaido

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38
Q

Largest and most populous island, home to 81.3% of Japan’s population (104 million).

A

Honshu

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39
Q

Smallest island with 3.8 million people.

A

Shikoku

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40
Q

Third-largest island, known for hot springs and Mt. Aso.

A

Kyushu

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40
Q

First man-made island

A

Kyogashima

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41
Q

man-made island

A

Rokkō

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42
Q

Japan frequently experiences earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons.

A
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43
Q

devision

A

47

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44
Q

Tashirojima

A

cats

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45
Q

Okunoshima

A

rabbits

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46
Q

Miyajima

A

deers

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47
Q

Miyagi Zao

A

foxs

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48
Q

Jigoku-dani

A

monkey

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49
Q

Okazu

A

Side Dishes

o Common examples: Grilled fish, vegetables, tofu dishes.

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50
Q
  • Obento
A

bento

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51
Q

Gaishoku

A

Eating Out

o Popular dining options: Ramen shops, sushi bars, izakayas.

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52
Q

nomihōdai

A

all-you-can-drink

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53
Q

tabehōdai

A

all-you-can-eat

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54
Q

Nomikai

A

Social drinking culture.

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55
Q

: Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakitori.

A

Popular street foods

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56
Q

Umami

A

The fifth taste and its role in Japanese cuisine.

57
Q

Daikon

A

Japanese radish

58
Q

Satsuma-imo

A

Sweet potato

59
Q

Take no ko

A

Bamboo shoots

60
Q

Nori

A

Seaweed

61
Q

Shōyu

A

Soy sauce

62
Q

Dashi

A

Soup stock, broth

63
Q

Osu

A

Rice wine vinegar (similar to mirin)

64
Q

Miso

A

Fermented soybean paste

65
Q

Mirin

A

Sweet rice wine

66
Q

Noodle

A

Ramen, soba, udon, somen, hiyamugi

67
Q

Tsukemono

A

Pickles

68
Q

Tempura

A

Batter and dipping sauce

69
Q

Nigiri-zushi, chirashi-zushi, inarizushi, makizushi, narezushi, oshizushi.

A

Sushi

70
Q

Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu:

A

Hot pot styles.

71
Q

: Ramen, karē (curry), kimchi, tonkatsu

A
72
Q

Wagashi

A

Anko-based sweets, mochi, yōkan

73
Q

Dos and don’ts.

A
  • Chopsticks etiquette
74
Q

We see early structures with the presence of haniwa (clay figures) and dōtaku (bronze bells).

A

Prehistoric Times

75
Q

The influence of Buddhism is evident with structures like Hōryūji temple and Daibutsuden Kondō with its giant Buddha statue.

A

Nara Period (710-794):

76
Q
  • Hōōdō: This iconic Phoenix Hall showcases a shift in style.
A
  • Heian Period (794-1185):
77
Q

This famous shrine features the iconic “tori” gate appearing to float on water.

A

Itsukushima Shrine

78
Q

Zen Buddhism shapes architecture with examples like Kōfukuji (featuring Zenshūyō style) and Kenchōji with its focus on simplicity.

A

Kamakura Period (1185-1333

79
Q

This temple, though built earlier, represents an eclectic style with Chinese influences.

A
  • Tōdaiji
80
Q

The “Shoinzukuri” style emerges, emphasizing simplicity and functionality. Key elements include tokonoma (alcove), chigaidana (shelves), shoin (study area) and chōdaigamae (decorative alcove entrance). Tea pavilions also become prominent.

A

Muromachi Period (1333-1573):

81
Q

): Grand castles like Himeji-jō and Nijō Castle showcase the power of feudal lords.

A

Momoyama Period (1573-1603

82
Q

This villa embodies refined elegance with its connection to nature.

A
  • Katsura Imperial Villa
83
Q

This mausoleum represents ornate and colorful architecture.

A
  • Tōshōgū Shrine
84
Q

Western influences become prominent in modern Japanese architecture.

A

Modernization:
* Meiji Period (1868-1912

85
Q

Transitional space between inside and outside.

A

Engawa (veranda

86
Q

): Defined entry point for removing shoes.

A

Genkan (entryway

87
Q

Units defining living space.

A

Tatami (floor mats

88
Q

Display space for art and calligraphy.

A

Tokonoma (alcove

89
Q

Offer flexible space division and light control.

A

Shōji and fusuma (sliding doors

90
Q

Buildings often incorporate nature and respect its power.

A

Architects vs. nature:

91
Q

comes from the word “mangaka” (漫画家) meaning “comic book artist.”

A

Manga

92
Q

Early Roots

A
  • The concept of graphic storytelling has roots in the Heian period (794-1185) with “emaki-mono” (illustrated scrolls).
  • Artists like Katsushika Hokusai (1603-1868) contributed to early manga styles with their “hokusai manga” (sketched sketches).
93
Q

Western Influence

A
  • Western publications like “The Japan Punch” and “Tobae” influenced Japanese manga development.
  • American comic strips from the 19th and 20th centuries also played a role
94
Q

Anti-American Propaganda and Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989):

A
  • Manga was used for wartime propaganda, often portraying Americans negatively.
  • Osamu Tezuka, the “God of Manga,” revolutionized the industry with works like:
    o Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atomu) - a superhero story promoting peace.
    o Black Jack (Burakkujakku) - a medical drama with a complex protagonist.
    o Phoenix (Hi no Tori) - a fantastical tale of rebirth and mortality.
95
Q

a superhero story promoting peace.

A

o Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atomu)

96
Q

a medical drama with a complex protagonist.

A

o Black Jack (Burakkujakku)

97
Q

a fantastical tale of rebirth and mortality.

A

o Phoenix (Hi no Tori)

98
Q

: for young girls (romance, friendship)

A

o Shōjo-manga

99
Q

for young boys (action, adventure)

A

o Shōnen-manga

100
Q

for adult men (mature themes, drama)

A

o Seinen-manga

101
Q

for adult women (romance, slice-of-life)

A

o Josei-manga

102
Q

sexually explicit content (not widely accepted)

A

o Hentai-manga

103
Q

Military nobility, well-trained warriors following Bushido (warrior code). Later became administrators.

A

Samurai

104
Q

Hidden operatives (Shinobi) specializing in espionage, infiltration, and sabotage.

A

Ninja

105
Q

Rose to prominence in the Edo era (1603-1868), representing 5% of the population by 1870.

A

Samurai

106
Q

Primarily active during the Sengoku period (1477-1615), associated with Iga and Koga regions.

A

Ninja

107
Q

Daisho (two swords), bows, armor variations.

A

Samurai

108
Q

Ninjutsu (stealth and combat techniques).

A

Ninja

109
Q

Boshin War (1868-1869) marked the decline.

A

Samurai

110
Q

NOT black pajamas! Historical attire is unknown.

A

Ninja

111
Q

Jidaigeki films, Akira Kurosawa movies, manga/anime, Western films like The Last Samurai.

A

Samurai

112
Q

Movies like “Shinobi no Mono” (1962), James Bond film “You Only Live Twice” (1967), even “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (1987).

A

Ninja

113
Q

were well-trained, honorable warriors,

A

Samurai

114
Q

had a more prominent social role,

A

Samurai

115
Q

were secretive operatives focused on covert missions.

A

Ninja

116
Q

operated in the shadows.

A

Ninja

117
Q

Japanese music

A

hōgaku

118
Q

Western music

A

yōgaku

119
Q

Classical Japanese musical drama.
o Hayashi-kata: Instrumental ensemble featuring taiko (drum), ōtsuzumi (larger hand drum), kotsuzumi (smaller drum), and nōkan (bamboo flute).

A
  • Noh
120
Q

Instrumental ensemble featuring taiko (drum), ōtsuzumi (larger hand drum), kotsuzumi (smaller drum), and nōkan (bamboo flute).

A

Hayashi-kata

121
Q

o Three categories:
 Geza: Music for Kabuki plays, including uta (singing), aikata (instrumental), and narimono (shamisen and percussion).
 Shosa-ongaku: Narrative music styles like takemoto, nagauta, tokiwazu, and kiyomoto.
 Ki i tsuke: Percussion used to set the rhythm.

A
  • Kabuki
122
Q

Music for Kabuki plays, including uta (singing), aikata (instrumental), and narimono (shamisen and percussion).

A

Geza

123
Q

Narrative music styles like takemoto, nagauta, tokiwazu, and kiyomoto.

A

Shosa-ongaku

124
Q

Percussion used to set the rhythm.

A

Ki i tsuke

125
Q

Ancient court music with origins in China.
o YO scale: Pentatonic scale used in Gagaku.
o Various subgenres: Engaku, Tōgaku, Kogaku, Shingaku, Komagaku, Tenjikugaku, Rinyūgaku.

A
  • Gagaku
126
Q

Pentatonic scale used in Gagaku.

A

YO scale

127
Q

Engaku, Tōgaku, Kogaku, Shingaku, Komagaku, Tenjikugaku, Rinyūgaku.

A

Various subgenres

128
Q

Buddhist chanting using a pentatonic scale.

A
  • Shōmyō
129
Q

Narrative music accompanied by shamisen.
o Subgenres: Gidayubushi, Tokiwazubushi, Kiyomotobushi, Shin’naibushi.

A
  • Jōruri
130
Q

Gidayubushi, Tokiwazubushi, Kiyomotobushi, Shin’naibushi.

A

Subgenres

131
Q

A three-stringed Japanese lute.

A
  • Shamisen
132
Q

A traditional Japanese zither.

A

Koto

133
Q

A Japanese bamboo flute.

A
  • Shakuhachi
134
Q

Japanese drums.

A

Taiko

135
Q

A contemporary shamisen duo that has gained international recognition.

A
  • Yoshida Brothers
136
Q

A taiko drumming group.

A
  • Yamato
137
Q

A Japanese pop metal group known for fusing traditional Japanese elements with heavy metal.

A
  • Baby Metal
138
Q

A significant period for the restoration and development of various Japanese musical genres.

A
  • Edo period
139
Q

Musicians in the Gagaku tradition were organized into guilds

A
  • Guilds
140
Q

A musical scale with five notes per octave, commonly found in traditional Japanese music.

A
  • Pentatonic scale