Life and Times
What event marked the start of the Middle Ages in Europe?
The fall of the Roman Empire
What is a tithe?
A church tax — 10% of a person’s income given to the Church
What were the Four Humours believed to be?
Blood, Phlegm, Yellow Bile, Black Bile
What kind of landform is Japan?
Archipelago
Who was the shōgun?
The military ruler of Japan. Held real power over the emperor
What was the main system of organization in medieval Europe that traded land for loyalty?
Feudalism
What was the purpose of monasteries in the Middle Ages?
Places for monks to pray, work, copy texts, and help the poor
What did people think caused illness in the Middle Ages?
Imbalance of humours or punishment from God
How did Japan’s mountains affect farming and settlement?
Only 15% was farmable. People lived in valleys and coastal plains
What is Bushidō?
The “way of the warrior” — samurai code of honor and loyalty
Describe one difference between life in a medieval town and on a manor.
Towns = busy, dirty, more freedom
Manors = cleaner, safer, fewer freedoms
Why was light important in Gothic cathedrals?
It symbolized God’s presence and faith through stained-glass windows
Who could practice medicine in the Middle Ages?
Physicians, Barber-surgeons, Monks/Nuns, Apothecaries
What dangerous natural events does Japan often experience?
Earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, typhoons
What were Oni in Japanese art?
Horned demons used to teach moral lessons and protect from evil
What was the role of serfs in the feudal system?
Worked the lord’s land, paid taxes, couldn’t leave without permission
What is excommunication, and how did it give the Church power?
Banning someone from the Church. Used to control rulers through fear
What was the main cause of the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381?
Poll taxes and unfair laws after the Black Death
How did geography shape Japan’s government and society?
Isolated clans grew powerful → samurai and shōguns ruled locally
How did Shintō and Buddhism influence Japanese art?
Shintō = kami in nature
Buddhism = impermanence and balance
Why did feudalism develop after Rome fell?
People needed protection and order when there was no central government
How did Gothic architecture express medieval beliefs and values?
Tall spires and light showed devotion to God and heavenly aspiration
How did the Black Death lead to rebellion?
Fewer workers → peasants demanded higher wages → government resisted
Compare Japan’s and Europe’s feudal systems
Japan = samurai and daimyō loyalty to shōgun; Europe = knights and lords loyal to kings
What do masks and monsters reveal about Japanese beliefs?
They reflect fear, morality, and harmony between nature and spirit world