Chapter 18 Section 1 - The Rise of Japan

E. The Yamato Clan Triumphs (1. What is a clan? 2. What were the roles of the head of the clan? 3. What is a kami? 4. During the clan struggles of the 200s to the 400s, which clan emerged victorious? 5. From where was this clan? 6. What kinds of weapons did the powerful clan use? 7. Besides war, what else did this clan use to gain power and influence? 8. What new technologies did this clan use? 9. From what being did the Yamato clan and the current royal family of Japan claim as an ancestor?)

A clan is a group of families with a common ancestor. Local clans ruled Japan by the A.D. 200s. The heads of them was also a religious leader. A kami is a god or spirit who represents a force of nature in the Japanese religion. From the 200s to the 400s, warlike clans competed for land and power. The winner of this struggle was the Yamato clan from the plains of central Honshu. The powerful clan used weapons such as riding horses with bows and arrows along with swords. Besides war, the Yamato clan gained power and influence by making alliances through marriage or other ties. The Yamato clan used new technologies such as using iron tools to till the land, and finding better ways to level and flood rice fields. These technologies allowed the Japanese to prosper in wealth and power. Yamato emperors and the current Japanese imperial family both claim descendants from the Sun Goddess.

Strategies the Yamato clan used to build an empire

A clan is a group of families with a common ancestor. Local clans ruled Japan by the A.D. 200s. The heads of them was also a religious leader. A kami is a god or spirit who represents a force of nature in the Japanese religion. From the 200s to the 400s, warlike clans competed for land and power. The winner of this struggle was the Yamato clan from the plains of central Honshu. The powerful clan used weapons such as riding horses with bows and arrows along with swords. Besides war, the Yamato clan gained power and influence by making alliances through marriage or other ties. The Yamato clan used new technologies such as using iron tools to till the land, and finding better ways to level and flood rice fields. These technologies allowed the Japanese to prosper in wealth and power. Yamato emperors and the current Japanese imperial family both claim descendants from the Sun Goddess.

Kami

A god or spirits who represents a force of nature in the Japanese religion.

Clan

A group of families with a common ancestor. Local clans ruled Japan by A.D. 200s. The heads of them were also religious leaders. The Yamato clan originates in central Honshu.

C. Japan and Its Neighbors (1. What is a mainland? 2. About how far from the mainland is Japan? 3. What are migrants?)

A mainland is an area that is part of a continent. About 120 miles separates Korea (mainland) from Japan (archipelago). However, China is farther away. Migrant is a noun meaning "a person who moves from one region to another." Waves of migrants from the mainland crossed the water and settled in Japan.

F. Support for Buddhism (1. What is a regent? 2. Who was Prince Shotoku? 3. How did he begin uniting Japan? 4. From where did Buddhism arrive in 538 A.D.? 5. What did Prince Shotoku hope Buddhism would do for Japan? 6. Why did the clan leaders oppose Buddhism?)

A regent is someone who governs a country in the name of a ruler who is unable to rule, often because of age. Prince Shotoku was a regent. He took power in 593. He was not an emperor, rather he was a regent for the empress, his aunt. Shotoku began uniting Japan by focusing on strengthening the central government and reducing the power of clan leaders. One way he did this was by supporting Buddhism, which arrived in Korea in 538. Prince Shotoku hoped that the new religion would unite the Japanese people. However, clan leaders opposed Buddhism because they were also religious leaders. If people stopped worshiping their kami, clan leaders would lose importance.

A. Land and Climate (1. What is an archipelago? 2. How many islands make up Japan? 3. What is the name of the main island? 4. How is Hokkaido described? 5. How is Kyushu described? 6. What is the highest mountain and how is it significant to the Japanese? 7. About what percentage of Japan is suitable for farming and how do they supplement their food supply?)

An archipelago is a group of islands. Japan is an archipelago containing four large islands and thousands of smaller ones, equalling the size of California. Honshu, the main island, is much larger than the others. Hokkaido receives heavy blankets of snow, due to the fact that it is in the north. Kyushu, located in the south, is has a tropical climate, showing the contrasting climates in Japan. Mount Fuji is the highest peak, rising over 12,000 feet above sea level. The beauty at Mount Fuji makes it an important symbol in Japanese culture and people. The mountainous lands of Japan amount to less than 15 percent being suitable for farming. As a result, many live on the coast, taking their food from the ocean. Their diets are rich in fish, shellfish, and seaweed. However, people grow food on the land that is available.

Geography of Japan

An archipelago is a group of islands. Japan is an archipelago containing four large islands and thousands of smaller ones, equalling the size of California. Honshu, the main island, is much larger than the others. Hokkaido receives heavy blankets of snow, due to the fact that it is in the north. Kyushu, located in the south, is has a tropical climate, showing the contrasting climates in Japan. Mount Fuji is the highest peak, rising over 12,000 feet above sea level. The beauty at Mount Fuji makes it an important symbol in Japanese culture and people. The mountainous lands of Japan amount to less than 15 percent being suitable for farming. As a result, many live on the coast, taking their food from the ocean. Their diets are rich in fish, shellfish, and seaweed. However, people grow food on the land that is available. The Ring of Fire is the region of volcanoes and earthquakes circling the Pacific Ocean. Japan sits at the border between two plates, or sections, of Earth's outer shell. Mount Fuji last erupted in the early 1700s. However, other volcanoes continue to be active today. A mainland is an area that is part of a continent. About 120 miles separates Korea (mainland) from Japan (archipelago). However, China is farther away. Migrant is a noun meaning "a person who moves from one region to another." Waves of migrants from the mainland crossed the water and settled in Japan.

D. A Farming Culture (1. By 250 B.C., what group had appeared in Japan? 2. Who did these people push out? 3. What were some occupations of these new people that were different from the people they pushed out? 4. What crop did this new group introduce that, along with seafood, helped boost the population?)

By 250 B.C., a new group had appeared in Japan—the Yayoi, who supposedly came from the mainland. Overtime, the Yayoi merged with or pushed out the Jomon. Unlike the Jomon, the Yayoi wove cloth and worked bronze and iron. Most importantly, the Yayoi introduced the technique of growing rice in irrigated fields. Rice became Japan's most important crop. A diet based on seafood and rice helped boost the population.

Affect of contact with China

Chinese culture of the Tang dynasty strongly influenced Japan and Korea. Early Japanese rulers looked to China as a model for government. Japanese scholars organized an official history of Japan, just as Chinese rulers arranged histories of China. Japan also adopted the Chinese calendar. In time of the first Yamato emperor, Japanese had only been spoken, not written. Contact with the mainland changed that. Around 500, the Japanese began to adapt China's writing system. They used Chinese characters, with some changes, to write the Japanese language. Japan and Korea also developed ties. Buddhist monks arrived in Japan from Korea in 538. Most Japanese practiced Shinto, a mix of ancient beliefs and traditions. Over time, this new faith would absorb many of the Shinto spirits and traditions. A tradition is a noun meaning "a practice or belief hand down from one generation to another."

J. Borrowing From Neighbors (1. How was Japan influenced by China and Korea? 2. When did Japanese begin to be a written language? 3. From where did they get the writing system? 4. What religion did most people in Japan practice before Buddhism? 5. How did Shinto affect Buddhism? 6. What is a tradition?)

Chinese culture of the Tang dynasty strongly influenced Japan and Korea. Early Japanese rulers looked to China as a model for government. Japanese scholars organized an official history of Japan, just as Chinese rulers arranged histories of China. Japan also adopted the Chinese calendar. In time of the first Yamato emperor, Japanese had only been spoken, not written. Contact with the mainland changed that. Around 500, the Japanese began to adapt China's writing system. They used Chinese characters, with some changes, to write the Japanese language. Japan and Korea also developed ties. Buddhist monks arrived in Japan from Korea in 538. Most Japanese practiced Shinto, a mix of ancient beliefs and traditions. Over time, this new faith would absorb many of the Shinto spirits and traditions. A tradition is a noun meaning "a practice or belief hand down from one generation to another."

Main islands of Japan

Honshu, the main island of Japan is much larger than others. Another main island of Japan is Hokkaido, which experiences heavy snows in the winter. Another main island of Japan is Kyushu, which experiences an almost tropical climate. The final main island of Japan is Shikoku. The long archipelago of Japan supports the contrasting climates different regions of Japan undergo.

H. Missions to China (1. In 607, what did Shotoku send representatives to China to study? 2. On their return, how did the Japanese change their government?)

In 607, Shotoku sent official representatives to China to study arts and government. The missions included scholars, artists, and Buddhist monks. On their return, these experts helped make Japan's government more like that of Tang China. Japanese rulers began using a system of official ranks and duties like those in the Chinese court. Officials could be recognized by the color of their caps.

I. Later Reforms (1. When did Shotoku die? 2. What did the reformers continue to try to do? 3. What is the Taika Reform? 4. What does Taika mean? 5. What were the most important new laws? 6. How did Japan become more like Tang China? 7. What were the main points of the new law code of 702? 8. What became the new capital in 710?)

Prince Shotoku died in 622. Japan was still ruled by clans, but other reformers continued efforts to create a strong government. In 625, they began a program known as the Taika Reform. "Taika" means "great change." The most important new laws said that all land belonged to the emperor and that everyone was his subject. Some clan leaders became local officials. They were responsible for collecting taxes, which were based on the number of people who lived in an area. These changes made Japan more like Tang China. In 703, a new law code for the entire country made the leader of the Yamato clan the official emperor and said that he should be called "son of Heaven." The new laws also defined crimes and punishments. These criminal laws applied equally to everyone in Japan. The rulers continued to strengthen their power. In 710 they built a new capital city at Nara.

Regent

Someone who governs a country in the name of a ruler who is unable to rule, often because of age. Prince Shotoku is an example of a regent who began uniting Japan in 593. This man was not an emperor, rather a regent for the empress, his aunt.

B. The Ring of Fire (1. What is Ring of Fire? 2. When was the last time Mount Fuji erupted?)

The Ring of Fire is the region of volcanoes and earthquakes circling the Pacific Ocean. Japan sits at the border between two plates, or sections, of Earth's outer shell. Mount Fuji last erupted in the early 1700s. However, other volcanoes continue to be active today.

Natural disasters of Japan

The Ring of Fire is the region of volcanoes and earthquakes circling the Pacific Ocean. Japan sits at the border between two plates, or sections, of Earth's outer shell. Mount Fuji last erupted in the early 1700s. However, other volcanoes continue to be active today.

Confucius

The teachings of Confucius were applied to the government by Shotoku, which were studied by Shotoku as well. Confucius The examinations given to many, which only few passed were based off of the ideas and teachings of Confucius. His ideas about the importance of practical moral values, collected by his disciples in the Analects, formed the basis of philosophy known as Confucianism. This man was born during the decline of the Zhou dynasty to a poor family in 551 B.C.E. He worked as a low-level government official where he saw greed and corruption. Other problems Confucius examined were the laws not being enforced, there was bribery, there were many favors for the rich, the poor starved and taxed for wars. Confucius saw the problems as being caused by turning away from traditional values. Confucius believed that in well-ordered societies, 5 relationships were central to success of the society. Persons of lower status should respect their senior and all people act according to their roles in society. 1. Father and Son: The most important relationship is father and Son (or parent and child). The Father should be loving; the son should be reverential. Filial piety-devotion of children to parents is the source of all virtues. This is the basis of all other relationships. "The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects him." (Confucius) 2. Husband and Wife: The husband should be good to his wife; the wife should be a good listener. 3. Older Brother and Younger Brother: Older brother should be gentle; younger brother should be respectful. 4. Ruler and Subject: Ruler should be beneficial; subject should be loyal. The ruler should do good things for the subjects. The subjects in return give their loyalty to a good ruler. 5. Older Friend and Younger Friend: Older friend should be considerate; younger friend should be deferential. Older friend should consider what the younger friend has to say. The younger friend should defer to the elders experience. His students collected Confucius' works and published in work called "Analect." His student Mencius spread his ideas. His thought still has a profound effect on Chinese society today, as well as its effect on world thoughts. In understanding Chinese society and government today, don't forget the influence of Confucius.

G. Guidelines for Government (1. The teachings of what Chinese thinker were applied to government by Shotoku? 2. What does unify mean? 3. What was the Constitution of Seventeen Articles? 4. What are some examples of what some of the articles said?)

The teachings of Confucius were applied to the government by Shotoku, which were studied by Shotoku as well. Unify is a verb meaning "bring together." The Constitution of Seventeen Articles was Shotoku's moral code in a laid out document. However, this document was not similar to modern constitutions because it was not a plan for government. Instead, it was a set of guiding principles for people, rulers, and the government itself. The first article laid out the Confucian idea of harmony. The second article called for respecting Buddhism. A later article said that clan heads should not be allowed to tax the people. That power, belonged only to the central government.

Constitution of Seventeen Articles

This document laid out Shotoku's moral code. However, this document was not similar to modern constitutions because it was not a plan for government. Instead, it was a set of guiding principles for people, rulers, and the government itself. The first article laid out the Confucian idea of harmony and avoiding disorder and corruption in the society. The second article called for respecting Buddhism. A later article said the clan leaders should not be allowed to tax the people. That power, belonged only to the central government. Other articles said, "When people behave properly, the Government will be in good order." Another article said, "Deal impartially with the legal complaints that are submitted to you." Another article said, "Punish the evil and reward the good." Another article said, "When wise men are entrusted with office, the sound of praise arises. If corrupt men hold the office, ... disasters multiply." A final article said, "Decisions are on important matters... should be discussed... with many people."