Samurai & Bushido
What was the code of conduct followed by samurai?
(Bushido)
Who was the military commander-in-chief of Japan?
(Shogun)
How can you identify a tanka poem?
(By counting the syllables in each line.)
How did Japanese writing develop from Chinese characters?
(They adapted kanji and created kana for their language.)
What was the capital city of Japan during the Nara period?
(Nara)
Why did Zen Buddhism appeal to the samurai?
(It emphasized discipline, focus, and acceptance of death.)
What was the main job of the shogun?
(To rule through military power.)
What was the significance of the tea ceremony in samurai culture?
(It reinforced discipline, mindfulness, and mental preparation.)
How did Prince Shotoku change Japan?
(He introduced a constitution, promoted Buddhism, and modeled Japan’s government after China’s.)
What was the main difference between Chang’an and Nara’s city design?
(Nara lacked walls for protection.)
What was the purpose of seppuku?
(Ritual suicide to restore honor.)
In medieval Japan, a daimyo was most like which European figure?
(A lord)
What was the purpose of gagaku in Japanese culture?
(It was traditional court music.)
What role did Korean immigrants play in Japanese culture?
(They introduced Buddhism, writing, and new technologies.)
What is a pagoda?
(A multi-roofed temple.)
How did samurai combat training differ from martial arts?
(Martial arts focused on unarmed self-defense and inner strength.)
What made samurai armor unique?
(It allowed free movement.)
How did martial arts differ from other forms of samurai combat training?
(It focused on unarmed self-defense and inner strength.)
What is Mahayana Buddhism?
(A form of Buddhism that spread from China to Japan.)
How did Shinto beliefs influence temple design?
(Shinto temples were built to be one with nature, reflecting the religion’s appreciation for natural beauty.)
How did the role of samurai women change over time?
(They lost independence and became restricted to domestic roles.)
How did samurai differ from European knights in their education?
(Samurai studied literature and philosophy, knights focused on chivalry and Christianity.)
What influence did the samurai have on modern Japanese culture? OR Give an example of samurai values seen in modern Japan?
(Their values of honor, loyalty, and discipline still shape Japanese society.) OR (WWII kamikaze pilots suicide crashing their planes.)
How did Chinese government structure influence Japan’s political system?
(Japan adopted a centralized government with ranks and a constitution modeled after China.)
Why did Nara lack protective walls, unlike Chang’an?
(Japan had fewer external threats, so fortifications were not seen as necessary.)