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Early Japan Part I: Geography and Religion Japan’s Geography Archipelago: a group of many islands in a large body of water Near China and Korea Borders Sea of Japan and Pacific Ocean – Offers natural protection from outsiders Japan’s Geography Only 15% of land usable for farming – Lots of rain and sunlight = good farming Experiences many earthquakes, tidal waves, and typhoons Shinto (-ism) Ancient Japanese religion “the way of the gods” Only worshipped in Japan Has no books or priests Ancestors are seen as important Kami Includes gods called Kami, meaning superior. –Kami promote fertility in crops and people The belief that spirits existed in all things, living or not, was part of the religion. Kami Some kami are the spirits of ancestors. In Shinto’s earliest days, each clan honored its ancestral kami. Other kami are the spiritual forces in nature and the environment. Shrines Kami are honored at shrines. The first shrines were outdoor spotsperhaps a large rock or tree-where people brought offerings of flowers or grain. Shrines Later, shrines were enclosed in buildings surrounded by beautiful landscaping. Many families have a small shrine in their houses or in their gardens. Torii When entering a shrine area, visitors pass through a gate called the torii. Beyond the gate is a stone water basin. Guests rinse their hands to purify themselves before entering the shrine area. Buddhism in Japan Spreads to Japan from China in 550 C.E. Japanese worshipped both Shinto and Buddhism. Spread of Buddhism led to the spread of other Chinese ideas. Chinese Influences in Japan Japanese developed out of Chinese writing. Chinese characters Japanese characters Chinese Influences in Japan Japanese architecture or building style copied many Chinese styles. Chinese building Japanese building Early Japan Part II: Government and Social Structure Heian Period 794 – 1185 C.E. Elaborate rituals and artistic pursuits Everyone wrote poetry and painted The Tale of Genji is an account of the life of a prince in the imperial court, the world’s first novel Feudalism in Japan Court families became more interested in luxuries than governing Landowners began to rise in power and set up private armies Feudalism: a political and military system in which individuals receive things in return for loyalty, military assistance, and other services. Emperor - is just a figure head with little power. Shogun - Supreme Military Ruler. Minamoto Yoritomo became first shogun in 1192 Daimyos - Lords (landholders) Often fought each other for land/power. Samurai - Made up daimyo’s private army and followed bushido code Samurai Codes Bushido – Stressed bravery, loyalty, and honor – Samurai had to experience great physical pain and hardship without complaining. – They could not fear death. Seppuku – Samurai commit suicide as an honorable way to avoid torture, execution, or defeat in battle. Kamakura Shogunate The real power during this time was at the military headquarters at Kamakura Shoguns ruled from 1192 to 1868 C.E. They pulled together to defeat the Mongols, but lost money in the process Samurai attached themselves to their local lords instead of the central government
