Samurai Life
What does “samurai” mean?
“Samurai” means “those who serve” in Japanese.
What was the capital city during the Heian period?
Heian-kyo (modern-day Kyoto).
What is a tanka poem?
A tanka is a five-line Japanese poem with a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern.
What is Shinto?
Shinto is Japan’s native religion that worships kami, or nature spirits.
Which two countries most influenced early Japanese culture?
China and Korea
What was Bushido?
Bushido was the samurai code of honor that emphasized loyalty, bravery, and discipline.
What determined a person’s rank in the Heian court?
Rank was determined by birth, not talent or ability.
What is the difference between kana and kanji?
Kanji are Chinese characters; kana are Japanese phonetic symbols that simplified writing.
Where did Buddhism in Japan come from?
Buddhism came from China and Korea.
What city was modeled after Chang’an?
Nara, Japan’s capital before Heian-kyo.
What was the purpose of seppuku?
Seppuku was ritual suicide to restore honor if a samurai failed or brought shame.
What were some beauty ideals for Heian women?
Long black hair, white face makeup, red lips, and blackened teeth.
Who wrote The Tale of Genji?
Lady Murasaki Shikibu.
What is Zen Buddhism and how did samurai use it?
Zen Buddhism emphasizes meditation and self-discipline, which helped samurai stay calm in battle.
What are two ways samurai values influence Japan today?
Respect, discipline, and loyalty are still important in schools, work, and martial arts.
How did meditation help samurai?
Meditation helped samurai stay calm, focused, and fearless in battle.
Who was Fujiwara Michinaga and why was he powerful?
He was a noble who ruled through his daughters’ marriages to emperors, making him the most powerful man of his time.
A powerful Heian leader who ruled by influencing emperors; built the Phoenix Hall
How did sculpture styles change in Japan?
Japanese sculpture evolved from clay figures to realistic wooden carvings influenced by Buddhism.
What is a koan in Zen Buddhism?
A koan is a riddle used to challenge thinking, such as “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”
How did Japan blend foreign ideas with native traditions?
Japan adopted Chinese writing, government, and religion, but adapted them to fit Japanese customs.
Why were samurai expected to practice poetry and calligraphy?
Samurai were expected to be well-rounded and disciplined in both arts and warfare.
How did valuing appearance over honesty affect Heian society?
People focused on beauty and manners instead of truth or skills, creating a shallow and status-focused culture.
Why was literature important to women during the Heian period?
Women used literature, especially diaries and poetry, to express themselves in a society that limited their public roles.
Why did many Japanese practice both Buddhism and Shinto?
They used Shinto for life and nature rituals and Buddhism for understanding death and suffering.
What role did cultural borrowing play in shaping Japan’s government, art, and religion?
It helped Japan build a centralized government, develop unique art styles, and blend religions like Shinto and Buddhism.