Japanese 9 | Japanese Civilization

What was the political situation in Japan at the end of the Nara Period?

1. Japan had a strong, centralized. bureaucratic government led by the Emperor 2. Strong Buddhist influence, but Shinto remained equally strong 3. Lots of Chinese influence politically and culturally - but with a Japanese twist

Name two important metals that arrived from China during the Yayoi Period.

Bronze (for ornamental purposes) and iron (to make weapons)

Why was Nara chosen as the Japanese capital? What influenced the construction of the city?

Nara was chosen as the site of the capital in 710 based on Chinese geomancy (feng-shui), since it was surrounded by mountains on 3 sides and water on 1 side. It was a lucky location. The Chinese capital of Changan provided the basis for the construction of the city in a grid-like pattern. It would be easy to establish government offices this way

Name three accomplishments of Prince Shotoku.

Prince Shotoku's main accomplishments: • Was a devout Buddhist and strengthened Buddhist influence (built Horyuji Temple - the oldest wooden building in the world) • Sent missions to China to learn and study new concepts from the Chinese • Wrote a letter to the Chinese Emperor that gave Japan its name • Wrote Japan's first Constitution

Who was Queen Himiko?

Queen Himiko was a shaman who ruled over the people during the Yayoi Period. She had many female attendants but only one male one. Her brother helped her rule.

Define Shinto

Shinto - the native Japanese religion which was polytheistic and believed in many gods, or kami.

Describe Shinto in a few sentences.

Shinto is Japan's native religion. It is polytheistic, and Shintoists believe in many kami, or gods. It combines nature and ancestor worship with shamanism. The Shinto place of worship is the shrine, where a kami is enshrined. Ritual purification is very important in Shinto.

Why was it easy for the Japanese to accept Buddhism?

Shintoism had many kami, and Buddhism talked about many divine deities. So, the Japanese considered them to be very similar. Also, Buddhism answered questions and dealt with issues that Shinto did not, such as life after death. So, the two religions coexisted peacefully.

What are summers in Japan usually like?

Summers are dry and humid, but also wet and rainy

Define Amaterasu Omikami (Sun Goddess)

Sun Goddess - Most important kami in Shinto

What was the name of Jomon dwellings?

Tateana (shallow pit dwellings that were thatched)

Why was the "Tomb Period" given such a name?

The "Tomb" Period is named after the giant burial mounds that were found during this period. The larger tombs were usually the tombs of rulers. Haniwa (Terra-cotta figurines) were found buried in them, to protect the tombs and the dead.

Japan already had its own religion: Shinto. How do you think the Japanese people reacted to Buddhism? Did they accept it easily? Or did they not like this new religion?

The Japanese people reacted very favorably to Buddhism. Considered Buddhism to represent a higher and more advanced civilization (China). Fell in love with Buddhist art and architecture (temples). Buddhist temples started to be constructed

Define The Land of "Wa"

The Land of "Wa" - What the Chinese called Japan in their history books. "Wa" means "dwarf."

What is the difference between the Manyooshu and the Kaifuso poetry anthologies?

The Manyooshu collection was written in a more Japanese style by people of different social classes - including both Emperors and peasants. The themes were diverse - love, death, sadness, etc. TheKAIFUSO collection was written strictly in the Chinese style and only by members of the higher classes.

How and why did the imperial family gain more territory in the 400s and 500s?

The dynasty of rulers who claimed descent from the Sun Goddess increased their power and territory because they acquired horses and the skill of riding horse-back from China. They could control more land this way. They also acquired more advanced iron weapons.

Describe the two reforms that took place at the end of the Asuka Period.

The two reforms at the end of the Asuka Period were: TAIKA Reform - land reform based on Chinese system. All land belonged to the Emperor and was distributed equally among farmers. They had to return it to the government when they died, so it would be distributed again. (It didn't work, since the rich aristocrats and Buddhist temples ended up receiving more land and didn't have to return it) TAIHO Reform - political reform based on Chinese system. Attempted to create a strong, centralized, and bureaucratic government under the Emperor

What did the Jomon people do to survive?

They were hunter-gathers who moved from place to place to hunt and fish. They did not know how to farm or plant anything. (That was the Yayoi!)

Define Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha

Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha - Built by Emperor Shomu as the center of Japanese Buddhism. Todaiji is the largest wooden building in the world and houses the Great Buddha bronze statue, which is 53 feet tall.

Why was Todaiji Temple considered so important in Japanese Buddhism?

Todaiji Temple was established by Emperor Shomu as the national center for Japanese Buddhism. Since there were branch temples and nunneries in every province, it was like the capital for Buddhism in Japan, and the most holy site.

Emperor Shomo constructed which temple?

Todaiji Temple. Todaiji Temple is also the largest wooden temple in the world.

What is the capital of Japan?

Tokyo

What are two ways society developed as a result of the adoption of wet-rice cultivation?

Villages and communities formed, since people needed to settle down and plant rice. Also, social classes developed, since more rice meant more money!

What was the major cultural influence that arrived from China at the beginning of the Yayoi Period?

Wet-rice cultivation! The planting of rice.

What are the names of the 4 main japanese islands?

Hokkaido, honshu, shikoku, and kyushu

Prince Shotoku constructed which temple?

Horyuji Temple. Horyuji Temple is also the oldest wooden temple in the world.

Define Ise Shrine

Ise Shrine - The Shinto Shrine where the Sun Goddess is worshiped.

Describe the Japanese political system.

Japan is a constitutional monarchy. The prime minister is the head of the government, who rules with the help of parliament (the diet). There is an emperor, but he has no power.

Define Kojiki

Kojiki - The oldest book written in Japan, in 712. Talked about Japanese history, especially Shinto mythology.

What is the Shoshin Warehouse?

Many treasures from the Nara Period are housed in the Shoshin Warehouse, including Emperor Shomu's belongings, ritual items from the 752 Great Buddha opening ceremony, and gifts from India and Persia.

Define Manyooshu

Manyooshu - The oldest Japanese poetry anthology, containing 4,500 poems. Written by people of all social classes.

The Emperor appoints the heads of other uji clans as high-ranking ministers in court. The other uji clans start gaining influence. Does this threaten the Emperor's position? What do you think?

NO! Remember, the Emperor claims descent from the Sun Goddess. He is a divine kami. So, even though the other uji clans are very powerful, they will never try to depose or threaten the Emperor's position. Very different from other countries

In your opinion, what were the two most important influences during the Nara Period?

Chinese influence was one very important influence during the Nara Period, since it provided the basis for the Japanese written language, poetry, books, architecture, and city design. The Japanese put a Japanese twist on it, but they based everything on the Chinese example. Buddhist influence was also very important. The Emperor officially sponsored and supported Buddhism during the Nara Period, and Todaiji was set up as a national center for Japanese Buddhism. Many other temples were built, too. Also, during the eye-opening ceremony for the Great Buddha in 752, many foreign visitors from all over the world came to visit Japan for the ceremony, so it became known as a Buddhist nation. However, Shinto remained at the top with Buddhism as an important religion.

Define Nihon Shoki

Discusses Shinto mythology, as well as the history of the Asuka Period. More accurate and reliable thank the Koijiki

Describe the two cultural developments Japan imported from China during the Asuka Period.

During the Asuka Period, when Japan (under Prince Shotoku) sent missions to China, the Japanese imported: • A writing system (Chinese characters) • A set/philosophy of moral ethics (Confucianism)

Define Emperor Shomu

Emperor Shomu - The most devoutly Buddhist Japanese Emperor. He founded Todaiji Temple in Nara.

What was the opening (eye opening) ceremony of 752 involving the Great Buddha?

Emperor Shomu had an opening ceremony that was held to paint the eyes of the Great Buddha. He invited a cleric from India to come and paint the eyes personally. He wanted this guy from India to come because of the start and creation of Buddhism in India

Who was Gajin?

Gajin was a Chinese priest that was invited to come to Japan by the government. It took him seven tries to reach Japan and since his journey was rough, he wound up blind during a shipwreck. He finally reached Japan in 754. He was well respected among the Japanese people and taught them about Buddhism. He later then founded Toshodaji Temple in Nara.

Define Ganjin

Ganjin - A blind Chinese monk who came to Japan to teach Buddhism and Chinese culture. Was the high priest of Todaiji Temple and later founded Toshodaiji Temple

Define Haniwa

Haniwa - Terra-cotta figurines which were buried in the burial mounds (especially of rulers) during the Tomb Period.