Geography & Religion
What is the name of the traditional Japanese religion that honors ancestors?
Shinto
Who was the spiritual leader of Japan before the 1100s?
The Emperor
What were the loyal warriors of the daimyo called?
Samurai
Who did Toyotomi Hideyoshi serve before becoming a general?
Oda Nobunaga
Who started the process of unifying Japan?
Oda Nobunaga
From which two countries did Japanese culture borrow Buddhism and Confucianism?
China and Korea
What title was given to the military general who held real power in Japan?
Shogun
What values were samurai famous for?
Discipline and loyalty
What job did Hideyoshi do before he became a general?
Sandal bearer
Who completed the unification of Japan?
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
What body of water separates Japan from the Asian mainland?
The Sea of Japan (also acceptable: East Sea)
What happened to the power of the shogun and emperor by the 1300s?
They lost power to local rulers called daimyo.
Who did the samurai protect?
Peasants working on the daimyo’s land
How did Hideyoshi show loyalty to Nobunaga on a winter night?
He warmed Nobunaga’s sandals with his body.
What did Hideyoshi want to do after unifying Japan?
Expand Japanese territory across Asia
What is a belief shared by both Shinto and Confucianism?
Respect for ancestors
Who had their own armies and controlled land during feudal Japan?
The daimyo
What was the relationship between a daimyo and a samurai?
The daimyo was the master; the samurai served and protected him
Why did Nobunaga promote Hideyoshi?
Because of his loyalty and dedication
How many soldiers did Hideyoshi send to invade other countries?
About 100,000
How did the arrival of Buddhism affect Japanese religious practices?
It blended with Shinto beliefs, creating a unique spiritual culture.
Why was Japan unstable during the Warring States period?
Because daimyo were constantly fighting for more land and power.
How did the role of the samurai reflect Japanese values?
They emphasized loyalty, duty, and honor — central to Japanese culture.
What does Hideyoshi’s story teach about social mobility in feudal Japan?
That loyalty and service could allow someone of low status to rise in power.
Why did Hideyoshi want more land after unifying Japan?
To reward loyal daimyo and create a larger empire