Imperial Innovations
This fast-ripening crop from Vietnam caused China’s population to double.
$100: What is Champa Rice?
He was the ruthless leader who first united the Mongol tribes.
$100: Who is Genghis Khan?
This geographical term describes Japan’s makeup as a chain of islands.
$100: What is an Archipelago?
He was the supreme military commander who held the real power in Japan.
$100: Who is the Shogun?
This 1,100-mile waterway linked the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers.
$100: What is the Grand Canal?
This magnetic invention allowed Chinese sailors to navigate far from the coast.
$200: What is the Magnetic Compass?
This dynasty was established by the Mongols after they conquered China.
$200: What is the Yuan Dynasty?
This indigenous Japanese religion focuses on spirits in nature called "kami."
$200: What is Shinto?
This was the strict code of honor and morals followed by the Japanese samurai.
$200: What is Bushido?
This Ming admiral led seven massive voyages across the Indian Ocean.
$200: Who is Zheng He?
This explosive substance was originally used for fireworks before becoming a weapon.
$300: What is Gunpowder?
This period of stability and safety allowed trade to flourish on the Silk Road.
$300: What is the Pax Mongolica?
She was the Heian court writer who penned The Tale of Genji.
$300: Who is Murasaki Shikibu?
These powerful land-owning lords hired samurai to protect their estates.
$300: Who are the Daimyo?
This was the Ming policy of cutting off contact and trade with the outside world.
$300: What is Isolationism?
This testing system ensured that government officials were hired based on merit.
$400: What are the Civil Service Exams?
He was the grandson of Genghis Khan who hosted Marco Polo in his court.
$400: Who is Kublai Khan?
This religion traveled from India to China, then Korea, and finally Japan.
$400: What is Buddhism?
This "divine wind" (typhoon) twice saved Japan from Mongol invasions.
$400: What is the Kamikaze?
This massive palace complex in Beijing was the home of Ming emperors.
$400: What is the Forbidden City?
This printing method used carved blocks of wood to mass-produce text.
$500: What is Woodblock Printing?
This Venetian traveler wrote a book about his 17 years in Mongol-ruled China.
$500: Who is Marco Polo?
This "Golden Age" of Japan was known for its high fashion, art, and literature.
$500: What is the Heian Period?
This social system traded land for loyalty and military service.
$500: What is Feudalism?
This philosophy blended Confucianism with Buddhist and Daoist spiritual ideas.
$500: What is Neo-Confucianism?