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Japan Review
Name: _______________________
1. What religion resulted from the combination of animism and the kami?
Shinto
2. Describe how both Shinto and Buddhism affected the daily lives of the Japanese.
Shinto taught the importance of nature and their homeland, and Buddhism promised spiritual rewards for the
afterlife.
3. How would the ideas of Confucianism benefit Shotoku’s government plan?
Confucianism promotes highly intelligent leaders
4. What aspect of Chinese culture did the Japanese adopt beginning around the year 500?
Writing system
5. As well as Confucianism, what other Chinese subjects did the Japanese study?
Buddhism, arts, philosophy, medicine
6. Why did the Japanese government become corrupt during the Nara period?
They did not use the Chinese practice of using exams to hire officials.
7. Why do we remember the Heian period? (What was it known for?)
It was a time of great artistic culture in Japan.
8. Why is The Tale of Genji so important in world history?
It was the world’s first novel.
9. Who were land-owning warriors who fought for Japanese nobles?
Samurai
10. How did the civil war in 1180 change Japan?
The civil war caused the rise of shogunate governments, which lasted for 700 years.
11. What are the beliefs of animism?
Humans, animals, plants, and rivers all have their own spirits.
12. When Shinto followers needed help, what would they do?
They called on the kami (nature spirits) and performed rituals.
13. List three beliefs of the Shinto:
Respect nature, love simplicity, be concerned about cleanliness and good manners.
14. Why did Japanese emperors take part in Shinto rituals?
To help protect Japan and make sure the country was successful
15. How did meditation play a part in Buddhism?
Meditation helped people clear their minds, relax, and find inner peace.
16. How did Shinto architecture differ from Buddhist architecture?
Shinto architecture used simple designs and Buddhist architecture used fancy decorations.
17. Why did the Japanese build gardens with rocks and sand?
These gardens copied nature on a small scale.
18. Why did Shotoku create a constitution for Japan?
He wanted a strong, well-organized government.
19. How did the Japanese way of hiring officials differ from the Chinese during the Nara period?
The Japanese failed to use the civil service exam; instead, they gave power to rich people from powerful
families.
20. How did the methods of exchanging power during the Nara period affect the Japanese government?
The government became corrupt, and a Buddhist monk tried to overthrow the emperor.
21. Why did the Japanese have a hard time with Chinese picture characters?
The Japanese and Chinese languages were very different.
22. How did the Japanese modify the Chinese writing system to make it easier to use?
They added symbols, which stood for sounds, much like an alphabet.
23. How did calligraphy influence Japanese culture?
Handwriting was thought to show a person’s character and education.
24. Why is the period from AD 710-794 known as the Nara Period in Japanese history?
The capital city was at Nara, Japan.
25. How did the Nara period end in the late AD 700s?
A Buddhist monk tried to overthrow the emperor.
26. To which city did the Japanese move the country’s capital in AD 794?
Heian-Kyo
27. What does Heian mean in Japanese?
Peace
28. What was the most important piece of literature created during the Heian period?
The Tale of Genji
29. Why did regents begin taking charge of Japan in the AD 800s?
Emperors were too weak or old to rule.
30. Who took over local areas of Japan when regents took the emperors’ positions?
Nobles
31. How did regents cause the rise of the samurai in Japan?
They passed on power to nobles who needed warriors to fight for them.
32. What does the word samurai mean?
“To serve”
33. How did the code of Bushido affect the lives of the samurai?
Samurai had to be loyal to their masters, and had to be brave and loyal
34. Who were the rulers of Japanese territories when shogunates became weak in the 1300s?
Daimyo
35. What was the relationship between Japanese daimyo and samurai warriors?
The samurai was loyal to the daimyo and served him in battle. In return, the samurai received land.
36. What is feudalism?
The system of service between a lord and the vassals who are loyal to the lord
37. Overall, was life in Japan good or bad under shogunate governments?
Life was good, because Japan produced more goods and grew richer under the Shoguns.
38. Which country had a great influence on Japan during the time of the shogunates?
China
39. How did the success of Japanese trade under the shogunates affect the city of
Heian-Kyo?
Heian-Kyo became a major city.