View
872
Download
0
Category
Tags:
Preview:
Citation preview
JAPAN
Map of
JapanHow did
Japan’s
geograp
hy
influence
its
history?
Japan is a nation of islands – the four largest are called Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku
Japan is far enough from other countries to discourage invasion and to remain isolated when it chose to shut out the outside world
It is near enough to the Asian mainland to borrow from other civilizations, especially the Chinese
Japan’s location influenced its history
Their appreciation for nature is reflected in all aspects of their culture
The Japanese native religion of Shintoism holds nature to be sacred
Their love of simple, natural beauty is seen in the arts – architecture, sculpture, painting, and literature
Japanese culture reflects reverence for nature
Mt. Fuji in Japan
zen garden
s
Yamato Period By around 500 AD, a warrior chief
ruling over the Yamato plain extended his rule over much of Japan
Claimed descent from the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu
His tokens of power (an iron sword, curved jewel and bronze mirror) are still symbols of the imperial family today
Shinto: “the way of the gods” – nature is sacred
Prince Shotoku encouraged the spread of Chinese ways
Acceptance of BuddhismOther influences: calendar, ways of dress and cooking, architecture, Chinese language and script, law code, establishment of capital city
Chinese influence
Capital was moved to Heian-Kyo, later renamed Kyoto
Japanese culture developedLiterature flourished: “Tale of Genji” by Lady Murasaki (prose), tanka and haiku (forms of poetry)
Heian Period
Japan enters the feudal age
Minamoto Yoritomo became the shogun, or supreme general
The emperor remained a mere figurehead in Kyoto
The seat of government was at Kamakura, a small coastal town
The feudal age of Japan began
Kamakura Shogunate
Samurai warriors – most important class of people during the feudal period
Bushido (“way of the warrior”) – samurai code of conduct; stressed loyalty and indifference to pain and hardship
Suicide by seppuku or hara-kiri was preferred to dishonor or surrender
Groups of samurai came to follow certain local nobles called daimyo (“great name”)
Daimyo became absolute rulers on their lands and struggled with each other for more power and territory
There was no effective central government in Japan
Ashikaga Shogunate
Golden age of Japanese culture
No drama developedPerfection of 3 Japanese arts: flower arrangement, tea ceremony and landscape gardening
The arts flourished during the Ashikaga
Period
Ieyasu Tokugawa became shogun after winning the Battle of Sekigahara
Headquarters was in Edo, later known as Tokyo
Tokugawa Era
The power of the daimyo was weakened
The central government grew strong again
Japan began to isolate itself from foreign influences – no Japanese could leave their homeland, and foreign missionaries were expelled, or killed
Merchant and business classes became influential
Kabuki drama became popular
Status of women in Japan• During the earliest period of Japanese history, women enjoyed high political, social and cultural status• For a hundred years, all important authors were women
During the Kamakura period, samurai women were expected to have spartan virtues, and young girls were taught the use of weapons
But then society moved towards complete male supremacy
By the Tokugawa period, women had become socially and legally inferior to men – and this has changed little even today
Recommended