Japan Vocab Flashcards
A chain of islands
Archipelago
A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries.
Isolationism
The belief that bodies of water, animals, trees, and other natural objects have spirits.
Animism
A religion; located in Japan and related to Buddhism; focuses particularly on nature and ancestor worship.
Shintoism
A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society.
Constitution
The highest class in certain societies, especially those holding hereditary titles or offices.
Aristocracy/Noble
A member of the warrior class in premodern feudal Japan.
Samurai
In feudal Japan, a noble similar to a duke. They were the military commanders and the actual rulers of Japan for many centuries whiles the Emperor was a powerless spiritual figure.
Shogun
Any sacred being worshiped in Shinto including nature spirits and ancestors.
Kami
The Confucian response to Buddhism by taking Confucian and Buddhist beliefs and combining them into this. however, it is still very much Confucian in belief.
Neo-Confucianism
Brought Buddhism to Japan, he also created a Constitution that influenced by China’s laws. made the emperor all-powerful that modeled the government after China.
Prince Shokotu
Period in which Japanese emperors lost their true power and became figureheads; Chinese culture prevailed over Japanese.
Heian Japan
A period of Japanese history, 710-794, characterized by the adoption of Chinese culture and forms of government.
Nara period
A Buddhist sect that emphasizes enlightenment through meditation and stresses simplicity and discipline.
Zen Buddhism
The code of honor and morals developed by the Japanese samurai.
Bushido
