Mythology & Religion
What does “Land of the Rising Sun” refer to?
Japan
What percentage of Japan is covered in forested mountains and valleys?
80%
What is Japan historically linked to in terms of natural disasters?
Earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis
What writing system did the Japanese borrow from China?
kanji
What was the main food in Japan?
Rice
Who was Amaterasu?
The Sun Goddess in Japanese mythology
how big is the largest flat area in Japan?
less than 200 km across
How did the Japanese explain earthquakes in mythology?
Namazu, a giant catfish that lives in the earth and thrashes around
What is the indigenous group from northern Japan called?
the Ainu
What was Japan’s primary source of protein?
fish
What religion is based on the belief that sacred spirits take the form of objects in nature?
Shinto?
What allowed Japan to remain self-sufficient despite limited farmland?
fertile soil, a temperate climate, and a long growing season
What word describes the Japanese ability to control emotions during hardships?
stoic
What elements of Chinese and Korean culture did the Japanese adapt?
Writing (kanji), Confucianism, and Buddhism
What crop was used as currency in Japan?
rice
What/who were the rulers of Japan believed to be descendants of?
Amaterasu
Japan's habitable areas are mainly found where?
Along the coast
How do the Japanese honor nature in religion?
through Shinto beliefs, where kami (spirits) inhabit natural objects
What does “homogeneous society” mean in relation to Japan?
a society where people share similar backgrounds and culture
How did Japan maintain self-sufficiency before 1853?
through farming, fishing, forestry, and local craftsmanship
What are the small household shrines in Japanese homes called?
kamidana
How did Japan’s geography contribute to its isolation?
being an island nation with mountains limiting land travel and dangerous Pacific crossings
Why do the Japanese place prints of Namazu in their homes?
to ensure protection from earthquakes and bring "ten thousand years of happiness"
What ceremony do the Ainu hold for the brown bear?
An elaborate annual ceremony to send it to the spirit world
How was a lord’s wealth determined in Japan?
the amount of rice produced in his territory