Japanese Geography
What are the 4 main Japanese islands
Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and Hokkaido
Who were the first humans in Japan and where did they come from?
Ainu, hunters that came from Siberia
What is the traditional religion of Japan?
Shinto
When was the Heian period?
794-1185.
What is the Ring of Fire?
The ring of volcanoes and mountains that stretch around the Pacific Ocean, which includes Japan
Japan is how many miles from Korea and China? There are two numbers, one for Korea and one for China
100 miles to Korea, 400 miles to China
When was the Kofun period in Japan?
250 AD to 552 AD
How did Buddhism begin to enter Japan?
Korean immigrants spread the religion
What was the fashion trend in Heian Japan?
Elaborate robes, made of silk and gold jewelry, long gowns made of different layers of silk
What is a regent?
A person who rules a country for someone who is unable to rule.
What % of Japan is mountainous?
50%
Around what year did Japanese people start farming? When did they form the first governments in Japan?
First Governments: 250 AD, first farms 300 AD
How did Prince Shotoku advocate for Buddhism's growth?
He created a constitution that called for all people to respect Buddhist beliefs, and he donated money to build Buddhist temples.
Why were court women the first to write Japanese literature?
They kept regular diaries which they based their stories on, and they were the only ones writing in Japanese at the time.
What is an imperial court?
A group of nobles who live near and advise the emperor.
How was Japan formed?
Erupting volcanoes whose lava cooled and formed the land that rose above the water.
When was the Yamato period in Japan?
552 AD to 710 AD
What are Kami?
Nature spirits who clan chiefs were supposedly descended from
What was one of the most important pieces of Japanese literature of the Heian period?
The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu.
What is Zen Buddhism? What were its beliefs?
Buddhists believed that neither faith nor good behavior led to wisdom, only meditation and self-discipline could do so
What three natural disasters are common to Japan?
Earthquake, volcanoes and Tsunami's
Who did the Yamato clan claim descendency from?
The Japanese Sun Goddess Amaterasu
What did Prince Shotoku try to do with emperors? Did he succeed?
He tried to give them more direct powers and not have them be beneath the clan leaders, but he failed.
What were the most popular forms of visual art from Heian Japan? What did their paintings depict?
First- Painting, Calligraphy, and architecture
Second- The paintings depicted events and stories in bright bold colors.
What are Noh plays?
Plays that combine music, speaking, and dance and tel about great heroes of Japan.