Modern Japanese

Question 1

Describe Jomon communities?

Answer 1

• hunter-gatherers
• not homogenous (from many places)
• peaceful (no weapons found by archaeologists)

Question 2

Describe the Jomon’s connection to nature

Answer 2

• found ways to protect themselves from natural disasters
• took only what they needed from nature

Question 3

Describe the Yayoi accomplishments

Answer 3

• Wet-rice production
• Complex social structures developed: class system, farming villages created, gaining wealth through grain storage
• Shinto developed

Question 4

Describe the government of Yayoi

Answer 4

The villages had power. There was not ONE leader.

Question 5

How did the Yamato legitimize their rule?

Answer 5

The first emperor declared their power by saying they were a descendent of the sun goddess, Amaterasu

Question 6

What ideas were introduced during the Yamato period era

Answer 6

• Buddhism
• Chinese writing
• Confucianism

Question 7

GOVERNMENT
What changes did the Japanese adopt from China in the Nara period?

Answer 7

China government was centralized with one leader

Question 8

How was the government in Japan DIFFERENT from China?

Answer 8

Japan did NOT use the Mandate of Heaven and did NOT use civil service exams

Question 9

CITY DESIGN
How was the city design DIFFERENT in China and Japan?

Answer 9

China’s capital → surrounded by a wall
Japan’s capital → no wall because protected by seas

Question 10

WRITING
What did Japan adopt from China?
What did Japan eventually invent?

Answer 10

kanji (Chinese writing)
kana → their own writing

Question 11

ARCHITECTURE
Describe the Chinese architecture the Japanese adopted.

Answer 11

pagoda → tower-shaped structure with several stories and upturned tiled roofs

Question 12

Compare the role of the emperor in Japanese and Chinese history.

Answer 12

the emperor is a divine figure who descended from the sun goddess, Amaterasu. The emperor CANNOT change.

Question 13

In China

Answer 13

Used the Mandate of Heaven to determine the new dynasty. The emperor CAN change.

Question 14

Shinto

Answer 14

• no sacred writings or single founder
• means the way of the gods
• Kami are spirits that exist everywhere
• Created a link between people and the forces of nature

Question 15

Buddhism

Answer 15

• taught friendliness and compassion
• taught about life after death (reincarnation)
• emphasized self-discipline and meditation which was important for samurai

Question 16

Confucianism

Answer 16

five basic relationships
filial piety → the duty and complete obedience children owe to their parents

Question 17

kana

Answer 17

The Japanese language

Question 18

kanji

Answer 18

Chinese characters

Question 19

hiragana

Answer 19

Symbols that represents sounds to sound out Japanese words

Question 20

katakana

Answer 20

symbols that represent sounds to sound out foreign words

Question 21

Describe court culture in the Heian period

Answer 21

• families in the upper class are rulers
• Divided Japan into private land

Question 22

What is miyabi?

Answer 22

a code of behavior which stressed physical beauty,
manners, and self-control

Question 23

Describe yamato-e painting.

Answer 23

Japanese painting with color
- religious and non-religious scenes
- used to decorate scrolls

Question 24

Who was Murasaki Shikibu?

Answer 24

Female writer who wrote the Tale of Genji

Question 25

List the ways the Fujiwara family had influence over the imperial court family.

Answer 25

• Fujiwara married their young daughters into the royal family
• Fujiwara acted as advisors to the emperor

Question 26

Why is the Heian Period known as the Golden Age?

Answer 26

Japanese culture blossomed (palaces, mansions, temples were built, focus on literature, painting)