Geography of Japan
What is a group of many islands called?
An archipelago
What is the traditional religion of Japan?
Shinto
What does “tsunami” mean?
A large destructive sea wave
What natural disaster often follows earthquakes in Japan?
Tsunamis
What was the main food grown in Japan?
Rice
Japan is made up of 3 main islands and thousands of smaller ones. True or false?
What are sacred spirits in Shinto called?
Kami
What is a “haiku”?
A short, unrhymed form of Japanese poetry that captures a specific moment in time, often focusing on nature. (5-7-5)
What flowers symbolize beauty and the shortness of life in Japan?
Cherry blossoms
Name one food source (besides rice) important to Japan.
Fish/seafood
Most of Japan’s population lives along what geological feature?
The Coast/Shore
Who is the most important kami (sun goddess)?
Amaterasu
What does “stoic” mean?
Showing little emotion
Japan is located on what kind of boundary that causes earthquakes?
Tectonic plate boundary
What type of society did Japan become over time due to isolation?
Homogenous
Why was Japan historically isolated?
It is separated by water from other countries (island geography)
What is a Japanese festival called?
Matsuri
What is “assimilation”?
When one group/culture is absorbed into another.
What seasonal winds bring important rain to crops?
Monsoons
Why did Japan become self-sufficient?
Isolation and limited contact with other countries
What natural event helped stop the Mongol invasion of Japan?
A typhoon (kamikaze)
How does Shinto view nature?
Nature is sacred and people should live in harmony with it.
What does “arable land” mean?
Land suitable for farming
How did living with natural disasters shape Japanese attitudes?
They became more stoic and accepting of nature. Learned to live in harmony with nature.
What happened to the Ainu people over time?
They were assimilated into Japanese society