Japan Unit Review

Culture

1

The spread of cultural elements

Cultural diffusion

1

Part 1: Traditional Japanese society is (industrial/agricultural), and the (mother/father) is the most important person in the household.

agricultural, mother

1

Traditionally, the Japanese grew (rice/wheat) and their government had (an all powerful emperor/uji that divided the power).

rice, uji

1

The traditional religion of Japan that is centered around nature spirits

Shinto

1

The religion adopted by a majority of Japanese, was imported from India

Buddhism

1

A Japanese ruler who admired Chinese and Korean culture and brought many innovations to Japan.

Prince Shotoku

3

Decide if each statement refers to traditional Chinese or Japanese forms of government.

1. Appointments are made based on examinations.

2. The emperor depends on the uji.

3. The emperor depends on local leaders.

4. The emperor is the sole ruler.

5. There is a continual struggle for the right to select the emperor.

6. The emperor depends on the bureaucracy.

Japan (2,3,5)

China (1,4,6)

People/Places

1

The first capital city of Japan

Nara

1

The capital city of China

Chang-an

1

A legendary Chinese scholar sent by the Emperor of Qin to find a potion for immortality, found Japan, and settled there.

Xu Fu

1

Emperor Kanmu moved the capital of Japan to this place, starting the Golden Age of Japan

Heian-kyo

1

A Korean ruler who developed a new phonetic writing system for Korea

King Sejong

1

Which two provinces were known as the most famous ninja strongholds?

A. Iga and Koga  

B. Kyoto and Nara  

C. Hokkaido and Shikoku

Iga and Kog

3

Put the following Periods in order, matching them to the dates:

710-794, 794-1185, 1185-1467, 1467-1615, 1615-1868, 1868-now

Shogunate Period, Modern Period, Heian Period, Sengoku Jidai (Warring States), Nara Period, Edo Period  

710-794 Nara Period, 794-1185 Heian Period, 1185-1467 Shogunate Period, 1467-1615 Sengoku Jidai (Warring States), 1615-1868 Edo Period, 1868-now Modern Period

Shogunate Period, Modern Period, Heian Period, Sengoku Jidai (Warring States), Nara Period, Edo Period  

Samurai

1

The name of a Samurai’s sword

Katana

1

A word meaning “those who serve” or “service to a master”

Samurai

1

A code of conduct meaning “way of the warrior”

Bushido

1

Ritual suicide due to loss of honor

Seppuku

1

A samurai’s first responsibility was to…

1. Protect the life and honor of his daimyo

2. Protect the emperor

3. Protect the people

Protect the life and honor of his daimyo

1

Why did the samurai believe they were excluded from reward in their next lives?

1. Because they were not religious enough

2. Because they killed for a living

3. Because they couldn’t follow Buddhism fully

Because they couldn’t follow Buddhism fully

3

List at least 3 "subjects" samurai needed to study.

• Armor and Weapons

• Military Training and Fighting

• Tea Ceremony

• Mental Training

• Writing and Literature

• Spiritual Strength

• Code of Bushido and Samurai Values

Ninjas

1

Another word for Ninja

Shinobi

1

According to Japanese folklore, ninjas were believed to have descended from:

A. Half-man, half-crow demons

B. Samurai spirit

C. Mountain gods

A. Half-man, half-crow demons

1

Ninjas were mostly comprised of which social class?

Lower-class villagers and farmers  

1

Ninjutsu primarily focuses on:

1. Swordsmanship and archery  

2. Unconventional warfare, sabotage, and espionage  

3. Religious rituals and meditation

Unconventional warfare, sabotage, and espionage  

1

Which group played a significant role in teaching early ninja clans?

Chinese monks

1

Samurai who had no master

Ronin

3

After the era of warring states, what happened to the ninjas (3 things)

1. Were employed by Daimyo as bodyguards and spies

2. Transitioned to jobs such as doctors and firework manufacturers

3. Joined the oniwaban, the Japanese secret service

Heian-kyo

1

Private, tax-free land given by the emperor to people. The lands had their own laws, own armies, and paid no taxes.

Shoen

1

A monastery/shadow government, where Japan was ruled by retired emperors

Insei

1

This family took power from Japanese emperors by using strategic marriages and being regents to child emperors

The Fujiwara clan

1

What were Heian nobles obsessed with?

Poetry

1

Name the first novel ever written, and name the author

The Tale of Genji, Lady Shibiku Murasaki

1

Name one rule of Heian etiquette.

• Laughing with an open mouth was considered crude and inappropriate.
• Never touch food with your hands.
• Hide your mouth while eating (a sign of refinement).
• Handwriting had to be neat and artistic.
• Letters had to be folded properly, or the recipient might refuse to read them.
• Colors must be just right—not too faded or too strong.
• Sleeve length had to be exact, or people would gossip about it.
• Pale Faces: Both men and women powdered their faces white.
• Blackened Teeth (Ohaguro): Women (and many men) dyed their teeth black, a sign of beauty and maturity.
• Chubby = Attractive: Being slightly fat was more desirable than being thin.
• Effeminate Men: Men’s beauty standards were closer to women’s—delicate features, graceful posture, and an emphasis on scent.
• Men Created Their Own Perfume: A man’s scent should be distinct, allowing others to recognize him by smell alone.

3

List three reasons why the Heian period came to an end.

Rise of powerful military clans.

Economic decline due to the shoen system.

Political corruption and weakened imperial authority

Social Pyramid

1

The emperor is at the top of the social hierarchy, but who has the real power?

Shogun

1

The Shoguns were hereditary military leaders. This means:

The title of shogun is inherited by the son

1

After the shoguns, who were next on the social hierarchy?

Daimyo

1

The samurai served only the

daimyo/shogun

1

The last in the social hierarchy were the:

Merchants

1

Why did the daimyo have to have two residences?

1. Because his family had to stay in the capital city as political hostages

2. Because he worked both in his domain and at the capital city

3. Because he was rich and had two homes

Because his family had to stay in the capital city as political hostages

3

What are the Uji?

Traditional Japanese noble clans that formed the basic decentralized ruling structure of early Japan. Each clan was led by a chief that tried to seize more power, and the clans fought over who would choose the emperor.