Japan (Chapter 18)
What does Nippon mean?
In Japanese, Nippon means land of the rising sun. In ancient times, the Japanese called their country Nippon as they believed they were the first to see the sun rise in the world. And, the Sun Goddess was worshiped and revered.
When did Military leaders gain strength?
In the 1100s other clan leaders started to resent the power of the Fujiwara and began raising their own armies with fiercely loyal warriors.
What happened to the government after Shotoku died to the power of the Emperor?
Over time, the power of the emperor faded and Japan became a violent land ruled by rival warriors. This went on for over 1,000 years. Peace was not restored to Japan until the 1600s.
To which class or group did most of the Japanese people belong in the 1400s?
Peasants
Who are the Yayoi People?
People who migrated to Japan around 250BC also most likely from mainland Asia. Over time, they either merged with or pushed out the Jomon people
What does the word Genji mean?
Shining Prince
What religion was practiced in Japan prior to 538 when Buddhist monks from Korea came to Japan?
Shinto - a mix of ancient beliefs and traditions in Japan
What skills were the Yayoi People known for?
Skilled cloth weavers and metal workers of iron and bronze
Did the people of Japan readily accept Buddhism?
Some did but many clan leaders resisted it because if they gave up the worship of their Kami, they would lose the power that they had over their clans as their religious leaders.
What did the Mongols demand from Japan?
That they pay them a tribute to keep from going to war.
What was Shotoku's moral code called?
The Constitution of 17 Articles
Who were some of the first people to settle on the islands of Japan?
The Jomon
Who ultimately pushed the Fujimoto family out of power?
The Minamoto and Tiara Clans (both were Warrior Clans) Were the most powerful of the Warrior clans who banned together just long enough to force the Fujiwara out of power then they turned against each other.
What part of Japan did the Jomon people settle?
The Northern Islands
Reformers who wanted to continue to work to form a strong Central Government in Japan began _____________________ in the year 645, a program focused on "great change" in the government of Japan.
The TIAKA REFORM
What clan emerged as the most powerful in Japan?
The Yamato Clan - from the plains of Honshu
How did Japan change from clan rule to an Empire?
The Yamato Clan became large and powerful and created the first Emperor and reformed government of Japan.R
Over time, what happened to the power of the Emperors?
They gradually lost power
What technological improvements did the Yayoi people bring to Japan?
They introduced the idea of growing rice in irrigated fields.
What new thing did Japan experience (with regard to warfare) when the Mongols attacked them?
Weapons that used gun powder
During what time was the Emperor of Japan a figurehead (not really a powerful ruler)?
When the Fujiwara Family was in power around 860
What did Bushido mean?
"The Way of the Warrior"
What does the word Samurai mean?
"Those who serve"
What two ideals Guided the Samurai Warriors?
1. Loyalty to his Lord (even more important than loyalty to his family, religion, or even the Emperor) 2. Personal Honor Together these formed a code of rules for the Samurai called the Bushido.
What is the Yamato Can known for?
1. They were horsemen who fought with swords and bows. 2. They used iron tools to till the land (a new technology) and improved ways of growing rice 3. They fought neighboring clans 4. They became rich and powerful and made allegiances 5. Kami = Sun Goddess 6. The Ancestors of modern day Emperor of Japan
How long ago is it believed that the Jomon people migrated to Japan?
11,000 YEARS AGO
About how many miles of ocean separate Japan from Korea?
120 miles
When did the Mongols first attempt to invade Japan?
1274 Khan sent hundreds of ships across the sea to Japan.
What was Prince Shotoku's Constitution?
17 Points based on a combination of Confucianism and Buddhism. It set forth guiding principles for how to live and govern focusing on: Harmony is Important (A Confucian idea) A Respect for Buddhism Power of Centralized Government (No LOCAL Clan Taxes)
What is a Shogun?
A Supreme Military Commander.
What is an archipelago?
A chain of islands (usually formed by volcanic activity)
What is a clan?
A group of people with a common ancestor
What is a Kami?
A holy being that represents a spirit of nature, a sacred place, or ancestor(s), specific to each clan in Japan. It was worshiped and different for each clan.
What is a Figurehead?
A person who appears to rule even though real power rests with someone else (someone else was really in charge and the apparent ruler has no actual power)
What is a regent?
A person who rules a country for a monarch who is unable to rule (due to age (too young, too old), sickness, disability, etc.
What were the Bushido?
A set of rules for the Samurai "The Way of the Warrior" = A strict code of conduct guiding Samurai behavior which became an official code in the 1600s
Who were the Mongols?
A warrior people from Mongolia that eventually took over China in the 1200s and threatened Japan under Kublai Khan.
How big is Japan?
About the size of California
Describe the geography of Japan
Archipelago, mountainous, little farming, sits on two tectonic plates that cause volcanoes and earthquakes, part of Ring of Fire. To the West is China and Korea and the Sea of Japan(East Sea), South is the Korea Strait and the East China Sea, To the North and East is the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 4 main islands and thousands of smaller ones.
Were people born into or could they learn a skill to move into a class?
Born there. For example: Samurai were born into their class and had to work hard to learn the skills to fight.
How did the teachings of Buddhism become popular in Japan?
Buddhism arrived in Japan from Korea around 538. The principals of Buddhism were supported by Prince Shotoku and helped to unite the Japanese clans.
How did the Fujiwara family gain political power?
By marrying their daughters into the royal family to Emperors. The sons produced from these marriages often became Emperors. And, they made sure that people from their family got very high positions in the government. They also persuaded Emperors to retire and they acted as regents for new child Emperors and then became their advisors when they were older.
True or False: In early Japanese clans, there were two leaders, one governmental and one religious.
False: The head of the clan was also the clan's religious leader.
What was Feudalism in Japan?
Feudalism was A social system in which landowners granted People land or other rewards for military service or labor. It spelled out how the relationships worked between people from landowner, warrior, and peasant classes where each had a very defined role.
Who was Minamoto Yoritomo?
He became the most powerful person in Japan. He essentially demanded that he become the SHOGUN which was a title given to the leader of the imperial army. He was supposed to be an advisor to the emperor but in reality, he ruled Japan.
What was Prince Shotoku's opinion about China?
He thought they were a great dynasty and that Japan could learn from them. He sent Artists, Scholars, and Buddhist Monks on missions to China to learn from the TANG Dynasty
What was the capital of ancient Japan?
Heian (now called Kyoto)
What did a Samurai's armor, horse and robe reflect?
His PRIDE - he took great care of his appearance in all ways
What would the Samurai shout when they were riding into battle?
His name and his family
What is the name of the northern most large island of Japan?
Hokkaido
What is the name of the largest island of Japan? And, where is it located?
Honshu - It is located south of Hokkaido and north of Shikaku and Kyushu
What did the Minamoto clan do?
In 1159, they stormed the capital of Heian now called Kyoto and burned the Emperor's palace & killed officials. This began a very long period of war and unrest in Japan again.
How did the Minamoto finally come to power?
In 1185, They defeated the Tiara forces in a final SEA battle and took power.
When did the Imperial court settle in a capital city? And, what was that city called?
In 794, Heian became a more permanent capital (meant "capital of peace and tranquility") modeled after the Chinese city of Chang'an (Later known as Kyoto)
What happened to the Central Government during Yoritomo's rule?
It became weaker.
What was the Taika Reform?
It began in 645 with reformers who established new laws that said that all land belonged to the emperor and that everyone was his subject. They made some clan leaders local officials and put them in charge of collecting taxes for the emperor. When the leader of the Yamato Clan took charge in 702 and made a law saying that the leader of the Yamato clan was the official emperor and was called the "Son of Heaven", 1. Declared all land belonged to the Emperor 2. All People were his subjects 3. Began an initiative to make Japan more like the Tang Dynasty in China 4. Established laws that defined crimes and punishments applied equally to everyone in Japan
What is the climate like in Hokkaido?
It gets heavy snows in the winter
Describe the Imperial Court in Japan?
It was divided up into different ranks or levels of NOBELS and a person's power and influence as well as the privileges they got depended on their rank
Explain the social order in Japan by the 1400s.
Japanese Feudalism: Top = Emperor who held the highest rank in society but had no poltical power Under Emperor: SHOGUN - Actual Ruler (Military Commander) Under SHOGUN - Daimyo: Large Landowners Under Diamyo - Samurai: Local warriors loyal to Daimyo leder Under Samurai: Peasants 3/4 of population, Merchants who bought and sold goods, Artisans who manufactured goods
Who was Prince Shotoku?
Japanese REGENT (nephew of the Empress, his Aunt) who worked had to unite the clans of Japan. He worked to strengthen the central government and reduce the power of clan leaders. One way he did this was through Buddhism. He converts to Buddhism and studied Confucianism from China and sent missions to study Chinese culture.
Which of the 4 main islands of Japan is the farthest south bordering on the East China Sea, The Korea Strait, and the Pacific Ocean? And, what is the climate like there?
Kyushu - it has a tropical climate
How much land in Japan can be farmed?
Less than 15%
What amount of land was there available for farming in Japan and why?
Less than 15% because most of the islands are mountains
Who are the Ainu people?
MODERN descendants of the Jomon people who lived separately in the Northern Islands of Japan until the 1900's
What is the highest Mountain Peak in Japan?
Mount Fuji on the island of Honshu, eastern side.
Were the Japanese government officials given their jobs based on merit like in China?
NO! They were mostly sons of nobles.
Under the Yamato Emperor during the Tiaka Reforms, what became the new capital of Japan?
Nara in 710
Where is the City of Edo?
Near Mt. Fuji on Honshu (Now called Tokyo and the present day capital)
When the Yamato Clan took power, was Japan fully united then?
No
Did Yoritomo's rule end clan warfare in Japan?
No. Instead, it marked the beginning of rule by local lords and their fighters and the central government weakened.
Were the Mongols successful at taking over Japan in 1274?
No. The Samurai held off the attack.
What happened to land ownership when the Fujiwara were in power?
Nobles owned most of the land.
What skills were the Jomon people known for?
Pottery, Hunting and Fishing
Where is it believed that the Jomon people came from?
Probably from mainland Asia
What is Buddhism?
Religion indigenous to India that includes traditions, beliefs, and practices based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). It focuses on how a person gains relief from suffering.
What was Japan's most important crop?
Rice
What kind of food did the Japanese people eat?
Rice and seafood
What is the name of the smallest of the 4 main islands of Japan and where is it located?
Shikaku an it is southeast of Honshu (the largest island)
Was there a class system in Japan?
The Feudalistic government established and spelled out relationships for different classes.
What family rose to power in the year 860?
The Fujiwara Family - a Noble family who gained so much power that they controlled the government behind the scenes for 300 years
How did the Shogun government of Japan respond to Khan's demand for tribute?
They sent the Chinese officials away and refused to give them tribute.
Who were the Diamyo?
They were local land owning lords who protected peasants while they worked their land by the 1400s in Japan. They owned the land and allowed peasants to work it. He protected the peasants in exchange for a portion of their crops in payment.
From the Story of Murasaki, the female writer in the Empresses Court, what do we learn about the role of women in Ancient Japan?
They were not expected to be as well educated as men. They were not supposed to know how to read or write or study in Chinese.
Who were the Samurai?
Trained warriors who protected the Diamyo (land owners) and would fight to the death with swords sharp enough to cut off heads. They were paid by the Diamyo for their service.
True or False: After the Minamoto and Tiara Clans pushed the Fujimoto family out of power, they turned on each other.
True
True or False: By tradition, Each new Japanese Emperor set up his court in his own territory?
True
True or False: Early Japanese rulers used China as a model for government.
True
True or False: The Bushido became an official code in 1600 for Samurai warriors.
True
True or False: To the Samurai, it was important to die with honor.
True
True or False: Today's imperial family is the oldest ruling family in the world and traces their line back to the Yamato clan and the Sun Goddess.
True
True or False: When the central government weakened during Yoritomo's rule, Feudalism rose in Japan.
True
True or False: The Japanese adopted the Chinese writing system around the year 500.
True (previously, Japanese had only been spoken, not written) They used chinese characters to write the Japanese language.
True or False: The Yamato Clan claimed to be descendants of the Sun Goddess.
True.
True or False: Japan has many different climates.
True. Cold snowy winters in the north and tropical in the south.
True or False: The Emperor of Japan today is from the Yamato Clan.
True. He is a descendant of the Yamato Clan.
True or False: By the 200s AD, local clans ruled Japan. There was no central leader.
True. They competed for land and power for 200 years between the 200s and the 400s.
When Prince Shotoku died in 622, was there still Clan Rule in Japan?
Yes - Japan was still not fully united but other reformers continued his efforts after his death.
What does Taika mean?
a great changeR
What is the Ring of Fire and where is it located?
a place where two of the Earth's plates meet causing a chain of volcanoes and earthquakes that circles the Pacific Ocean
How long did Emperors live in Heian?
for more than 1,000 years
