Shogunate Japan Flashcards
What are the four largest islands of Japan?
Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Hokkaido
Roughly speaking, what percent of Japanese land can be farmed?
15%
What geopgraphical feature allowed Japan to develop such unique religion, arts and social structures?
The surrounding seas
Japan’s traditional religion that is still practiced today is called Shintoism. What is the direct English translation of “Shintoism”?
The way of the gods
In Shintoism, what is the main cause of bad things happening?
Evil spirits
According to the Shinto creation myth, what created the islands of Japan?
The drops of water that fell off the spear of the gods, Izanagi and Izanami.
In the 12th century, clan leaders “called on” men from Japan’s lower social ranks to help them protect their lands and enforce the laws. What did these men later come to be known as?
samurai
What is the name of the Japanese Sun goddess that the Yamato cheifs claimed they were descended from?
Amaterasu
Where did Prince Shotoku send officials to study Buddhism, art, medicine and philosophy?
China
What is the ancient capital of Heian-Kyo known as today?
Kyoto
How could one tell a noble’s social position from his home?
The closer it was to the royal palace, the higher the owner’s social status
What activities took place in the imperial court?
Fine arts and learning
What type of temples did Shotoku have built around Japan?
Buddhist
Who tended to do the “true” ruling in ancient Japan?
The emperor’s father or father-in-law
What was the principle job of the emperor in ancient Japan?
To preform ritual and ceremonial duties
What happened that caused some government officials to be released from their obligations to the emperor?
The court became too big to manage
What were the Taira and the Minamoto?
Important and powerful Japanese clans that supported factions at the emperor’s court
Once the newly powerful clans started to war amongst themselves, why did the emperor fail to supress the violence?
His role had become little more than ceremonial and had no real power to stop anything.
In what way did the emperor provide legitimacy to Shogun, Minamoto no Yorimoto?
The deal struck between the two meant that Minamoto no Yorimoto could claim that he spoke for the emperor.
For about how many years did shoguns from various clans rule Japan with the emperor remaining in isolation while retaining his symbolic position as head of the country?
700