Japan

Question 1

Define Ainu.

Answer 1

The indigenous people of Japan.

Question 2

Define assimilation.

Answer 2

Being forced to give up your culture and identity, and take on a new way of doing things.

Question 3

Define ronin.

Answer 3

Samurai whose masters have died.

Question 4

Define shogun.

Answer 4

The leader of Japan, who held a lot of power, although technically the emperor held the most power in the hierarchy.

Question 5

Define daimyo.

Answer 5

Powerful nobles in Edo Japan who held a lot of power.

Question 6

Define Shinto.

Answer 6

The ancient religion of Japan, which focused mainly on nature.

Question 7

Define isolationist.

Answer 7

Someone who believes in remaining apart from other places, cultures and groups

Question 8

Define industrialization.

Answer 8

A system of modernizing technology and military in order to become stronger and more self-sufficient.

Question 9

Define westernization.

Answer 9

A system of adopting western ideas and values.

Question 10

Define exclusionary laws.

Answer 10

Laws that prevented foreign groups and cultures from influencing Japan. The exclusion laws consisted of:

1) all foreign books with Christian messages are banned
2) if you leave Japan you are not welcome to come back
3) all ships will be burned and new ones are not permitted to be built
4) foreign newcomers were not permitted to enter Japan
5) the Japanese were not allowed to go abroad

Question 11

Edo Japan during the Tokugawa Leyasu period.

Answer 11

Rigid rules, obidedience to the shogun, and no foreign influences.

Question 12

Meiji Japan.

Answer 12

They were now trying to industrialize as quickly as possible, and went to all corners of the earth to bring back western ideas and technology to Japan.

Question 13

Feudalism in Europe was similar to feudalism in Japan in that:

Answer 13

Every group will obey and respect, without question, the group above them on the hierarchy.

Question 14

Describe what society would have been like in the Edo period of Japans history.

Answer 14

• strict laws concerning foreign influences
• isolationism
• strong sense of obedience to the shogun
• respect for parents, elders, and people in authority
• filial piety (devotion and faithfulness to one’s parents)

Question 15

During the Edo period Japanese society operated under a ______system based on ownership of _____.

Answer 15

Feudal, land.

Question 16

In Japan between 1603 and 1868 the most notable action taken by the Tokugawa shogunate was the ___________laws and the _______policy.

Answer 16

Exclusion, isolationism.

Question 17

What privileges did the treaty of Kanagawa provide America?

Answer 17

From now on, any treaty that the Japanese signed with another country, the Americas received the same benefits.

Question 18

Were the Japanese satisfied with the unequal treaties?

Answer 18

No, they were very unfair and Japan did not benefit from them.

Question 19

Who was commodore Matthew Perry?

Answer 19

An American who travelled to Japan, with a list of demands for the shogun, among those being that isolationism for the Japanese ceased.

Question 20

Which countries signed the unequal treaties?

Answer 20

Japan, and the United States.

Question 21

Before commodore Matthew Perry’s expedition to Japan in 1853, Japan was mostly influenced by what country?

Answer 21

China/Korea?

Question 22

What three main strategies did commodore Matthew Perry use to overcome Japan?

Answer 22

• Intimidation
• He persuaded them
• military

Question 23

Summarize what happened economically during the Edo period in Japan.

Answer 23

They prospered and became quite self-sufficient.

Question 24

What was the five charter oath?

Answer 24

1) The Japanese could now choose their own jobs.
2) All matters are to be discussed publicly.
3) Class distinctions no longer remain
4) Everything is to be based upon the laws of nature.
5) Every individual shall search for knowledge to strengthen the power of imperial rule.

Question 25

What three things did the shogun put into place in order to maintain order in Japan?

Answer 25

1) alternate attendance
2) strict laws
3) sharing of power

Question 26

Define seppuku.

Answer 26

Honourable suicide.

Question 27

What three things did cherry blossoms represent?

Answer 27

1) new beginnings
2) beauty
3) the shortness of life

Question 28

According to legends which two beings created Japan?

Answer 28

Izanagi (male) and Izanami (female).