Basic Facts
A group of islands is called a what?
Archipelago
What is an aristocrat?
A person who is in the upper class with money and status; usually nobility
The traditional Japanese religion based on respect for ancestors and nature
Shintoism
What region inspired Japan's writing system?
China
The land given to nobles was called a what?
Han
Japan was influenced from which 2 regions?
China and Korea
What is the title of the novel that became popular during the Heian Aristocracy?
Tale of Genji
- written by a noblewoman and poet
What are Kami and where do they live?
Spirits that live in nature
Prince Shotoku's Constitution was inspired by what two religions/philosophies?
Confucianism and Buddhism
What is feudalism?
A military and political system where people receive protection in exchange for service.
What is a figurehead (political, not a part of a ship)?
A person who appears to be in charge but has no real power.
List three different fashion trends during this period.
- Dying teeth black
- Wearing as much clothes as possible
- Women -> floor length hair, painting faces white, plucking eyebrows
- Men -> Short beards
The picture on the board is most closely associated to which religion?
Shintoism
Shintoism was heavily influenced by what?
Who actually held the power in Feudal Japan?
The Shogun
What was the code the Samurai followed?
Bushido "Way of the Warrior"
The aristocrat became known as a what when Japan shifted to a feudal state?
Daimyo
Birth and marriage
How does Confucianism and Buddhism inspire the Constitution of Prince Shotoku?
Confucianism - strong central government
Buddhism - harmony and peace amongst the people
What determined a Daimyo's power?
size of land AND amount of samurai they had
What was taken as a trophy when samurai fought against one another? Why?
The loser's head - headgear showed family and rank
For each achievement of the Heian Aristocracy -> list a fact for each one.
Literature - Tale of Genji, written by a woman, world's first novel, poems and diaries of woemn
Fashion - teeth = black, layers of clothes, faces painted white, small beards, floor length hair
Art - landscapes and portraits of nobles, sculptures, inspired by Buddhism
Buddhism - Inspired artwork, remains popular today, popular after being brought to Japan in 500s C.E
Heiankyo - new capital city (at this time), city streets laid out in grid, Chinese style influence red columns and green roofs
Name 3 similarities and 2 differences between African Spiritual Beliefs and Shintoism
Similarities - animism, ancestor worship, rituals, masks, No founder or key text
Differences - region, shrine/altar, inspired by Buddhism, writing system
How did the Heian Aristocracy influence and impact Japanese culture?
The aristocracy developed a unique culture (art, literature, fashion, religion) that laid the basis for modern Japanese culture.
Walk us through the social pyramid of Feudal Japan - what does each category do or what is important about it?
Emperor - no real power, loved by the people
Shogun - military leader, had the power
Daimyo - land owner, aristocrat, had the samurai
Samurai - Japanese warriors, protected the peasants, paid by the Daimyo
Peasants - 90% of population, farmers, artisans, merchants, fishermen