Japan: Culture & Feudalism
This belief system focused on nature, spirits (kami), and ancestor worship.
What is Shintoism?
This belief justified a ruler’s power as long as they governed justly.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
This navigational tool became essential for long-distance sea travel.
What is the compass?
This leader united the Mongol tribes and began their expansion.
Who is Genghis Khan?
This religion was founded by Siddhartha Gautama.
What is Buddhism?
This warrior code emphasized honor, loyalty, and discipline among samurai.
What is Bushido?
This philosophy influenced the civil service exam system and emphasized education and moral behavior.
What is Confucianism?
This printing method made books cheaper and increased literacy.
What is woodblock printing?
This period of peace and stability under Mongol rule increased trade.
What is Pax Mongolica?
This is a three-line Japanese poem with a 5-7-5 syllable structure.
What is a haiku?
Although often seen as divine, this figure held little real power in feudal Japan.
Who is the Emperor?
This term describes the spread of Chinese culture to nearby regions.
What is Sinification?
This major trade network connected Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
What is the Indian Ocean trade network?
This dynasty marked the first time China was ruled by foreigners.
What is the Yuan Dynasty?
These groups helped spread religions like Islam and Buddhism through Southeast Asia.
Who are merchants (traders)?
This military leader held actual political power during feudal Japan.
Who is the Shogun?
This practice became widespread during the Song Dynasty and reflected gender inequality.
What is foot binding?
These seasonal wind patterns helped sailors travel across the Indian Ocean.
What are monsoon winds?
This Mongol ruler established control over China during the Yuan Dynasty.
Who is Kublai Khan?
This region was heavily influenced by Chinese culture EXCEPT for some areas that maintained stronger Indian influence.
What is Southeast Asia?
This leader helped introduce and promote Chinese ideas and Buddhism in Japan, though he did not originally bring Buddhism there.
Who is Prince Shotoku?
This system selected government officials based on merit rather than birth.
What is the Civil Service Examination System?
This traveler documented his journeys across the middle east and Asia.
Who is Ibn Battuta?
Despite their reputation for violence, Mongol rule made this activity safer and more widespread across Eurasia.
What is trade along the Silk Road?
This process explains how ideas, religions, and technologies spread between cultures through trade and interaction.
What is cultural diffusion?