Emergence of Japan

Geography

Modern nation of Japan consists of 1000 islands off the East coast of Asia Mountainous archipelago (cluster of islands)

Four main IslandsoHonshuoHokkaidooKyushuo Shikoku

Sea of Japan or “East Sea” between

Japan and Asian mainland

Close proximity to Korea and China!

The Seas The seas around

Japan have offered protection from foreign influences Japan could choose

whether or not they wanted to have contact with people

Provided good trade routes

Religion in Japan

• Religion played an important role in helping form Japanese culture

• The Japanese believed in gods or nature spirits called Kami o Importance of natural features, forces of

nature and ancestorsoThey believed the spirits lived in natural objects

o Sand, waterfall, trees, rocks, rivers

Shinto

• These beliefs in natural spirits turned into the religion known as Shinto, or “way of the Kami”– Ethnic religion unique to Japan

• Shinto has no established scripture or doctrine – Shinto worship involves prayers and rituals to

please the Kami

Imperial Rule

• Shinto helped to unify Japan under imperial rule– Early emperors acted as Shinto priests– State religion: worship of the emperor

• For all of Japan’s history one imperial family has reigned – The Yamato Clan

Chinese Influences• Japanese cultural development was influenced

by its proximity to China.• Writings

– The Japanese adapted Chinese writing by at least the early 700s CE

• Religion– Buddhism was introduced in 552 CE– The Emperors did not like Buddhism but eventually

allowed Buddhist temples to be built– Most Japanese believed in both Shinto as well as

Buddhism• Religions coexisted as religious traditions!

Chinese Influences

• Architecture– Use of

Symmetry– Non-flat

(gabled) roofs– Enclosing

open spaces within a structure