Geography of Japan
What is an archipelago?
group of islands
Which social class in Japan was considered the lowest?
Merchants
Which clan was Japan’s first and only ruling dynasty?
Yamato
Who held the real power in feudal Japan?
Shogun
What are kami in Shinto belief?
Spirits of nature and ancestors.
Which ocean surrounds Japan?
Pacific Ocean
Who were the daimyo?
feudal lords, ruled over large areas, managed their territories independently, controlled taxes, infrastructure, and military forces, and were vassals of the shogun, expected to provide military support
What was the role of the emperor during the feudal period in Japan?
The emperor was a symbolic figurehead with little political power; the shogun held the real authority.
What did the emperor of Japan symbolize during the feudal period?
The emperor was a symbol of unity and divine authority but had little political power during the feudal period.
What does Shintoism place great emphasis on?
Nature, purity, and rituals.
What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?
Ring of Fire is a tectonic belt of volcanoes and earthquakes.
Which social class in feudal Japan was responsible for the majority of the country's agricultural production?
Peasants
Who wrote the Tales of Genji?
Murasaki Shikubu
What is the significance of the relationship between the daimyo and their samurai?
The daimyo provided land and protection to the samurai, who, in return, pledged loyalty and military service.
What did Zen Buddhism emphasize?
Self-reliance, meditation, and devotion to duty.
What are the four islands of Japan?
Honshu (the largest), Hokkaido, Kyushu, & Shikoku
What was the significance of the bushido code?
" the way of the warrior"
Japanese code of conduct and moral principles that the samurai warriors followed, emphasizing honor, loyalty, courage, and selflessness
What is a haiku? and what is the syllable structure?
A haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure.
What were the main duties of the shogun in feudal Japan? List 4 of them.
TBD
Why is Zen Buddhism sometimes considered contradictory?
It teaches both deep scholarly learning and the idea of "not knowing," emphasizing simplicity while requiring discipline.
What natural disaster destroyed Japan in 2011?
Tsunami
Which group had the highest status in feudal Japan despite being the least wealthy?
Samurai
What is the significance of the Tales of Genji?
It was considered to be the first ever novel.
Order the hierarchy.
Shogun, Daimyo, Samurai, Peasants, & Merchants
What is the primary role of Shinto shrines (jinja)?
The primary role of Shinto shrines (jinja) is to house kami (spirits) and serve as places for worship and rituals.