Download Sinification of Japan, Kora and Vietnam

Sinification- to assimilate, spread, absorb or have traditional
Chinese culture thrust upon you. During the Tang-Song Dynasties
(and even before) China’s hegemony had a great impact on its neighbors
To the South and East. One of the driving forces… Buddhism
China had been a dominant force in the region for over a thousand years
And through conquest, trade and emulation, its neighbors will selectively
Adopt many political, economic and cultural components of its way of life
It is important to note, however, that ethnocentrism, location and resistance
By Japan, Korea and Viet Nam will lead to unique differences amongst
The individualized Sinification process. Here is a basic overview of a
Process some are saying exists today:
• Japan- emulation, assimilation, no direct contact with China
• Korea- tributary states, Kingdom of Silla a vassal state to China
• Viet Nam – direct colonization, resistance and autonomy no match for
• Subsequent Qin, Han and Tang Dynasties
• Japan borrowed much from Chinese
culture including Buddhism, Confucianism,
and writing
• 646 CE - Japanese emperor introduced the
Taika Reforms intended to remake
Japanese government along Chinese lines
including using a scholar-gentry
• Chinese influence
challenged at all
levels of Japanese
society including
nobles, Buddhists,
and peasants
• Buddhist dominance
caused emperor to
flee Nara and
establish new capital
at Heian
• Buddhists reestablished power at
court
Buddha at Nara
• Court at Heian
Social status was
supreme goal
Love affairs were
major
preoccupation
Pursuit of beauty
Tale of the Genji written by Lady
Murasaki
• Reforms abandoned
• Bureaucracy staffed by
nobles
• Nobles and Buddhists
nibbled away at imperial
power
• Landed nobles and large
landowners established
private “kingdoms”
replete with governments
• These mini-states were
ruled by the Bushi from
fortresses
• Bushi raised private
armies
• Mounted knightssamurai- were loyal to
local lords though
often called upon to
protect the emperor
• Bushi and samurai
made up warrior class
- food produced by
serf-like peasants
• Battle evolved into
duels of champions
• Rising power of Bushi
and corresponding
loss of power of
emperor created
feudal system
• Chinese influence
declined as influence
of the new warrior
class increased
• Age of the Warlords
Ashikaga shogunate established 1336
Emperor refused to recognize it causing
Japan to erupt in civil war
By 1477, Japan divided into 300 kingdoms
ruled by Daimyo
Daimyo built up kingdoms through irrigation,
trade and commerce, and construction
projects
• Women lost power.
Given in marriage to
cement alliances
• Women encouraged to
commit suicide if
dishonored
• Zen Buddhism - stressed
simplicity and discipline
• Zen Buddhism became
basis for Japanese art
• Adopted Chinese
Confucianism,
Buddhism, and
writing
• Alliance with
China allowed
Silla to subjugate
neighboring
kingdoms
• Silla resistance against
Tang forces caused Tang
to accept Silla as vassal
state
• Silla borrowed much of
Tang government
practices
• Korea maintained
independence until 20th
century.
• Yi Dynasty lasted from
1392-1910
• Vietnamese had strong cultural identity
• Took care not to let borrowing from China
dominate Vietnamese culture
• More willing to intermarry between
different ethnic groups
• Women enjoyed greater freedom than
Chinese
• Vietnam first came under Chinese
domination during Han Dynasty
• Adopted bureaucracy including civil
service exam
• Adopted Chinese agricultural techniques
• Adopted Chinese military organization and
weaponry allowing them to conquer
peoples to south and west
• Defeated the Indianized armies of the
Khmer
• Gained independence after fall of the Tang
• Attempts by Ming Dynasty and Mongols to
conquer Vietnam failed
• Buddhism became dominant religion –
frustrating attempts of Vietnamese scholargentry to gain power like that in China
• South Vietnam became more populated and
powerful
• Power struggle erupted between two powerful
families: Trinh/north and Nguyen/south
• Struggle lasted centuries
Sinification Similarities and Differences
Japan
Korea
Viet Nam
Zen Buddhism
Neo- Confucian
patriarchy
Emulation but retention
of cultural identity
Region aristocratic
military warlords (Bushi)
would dominant despite
attempts at Chinese
bureaucracy
Buddhism
Confucian patriarchy
Vassal state of Silla
maintains direct control
as tributary states
Chinese writing and
dominance of regional
aristocracy (despite
attempts at Chinese
bureaucracy)
Buddhism
Women struggle for
more economic roles
Directly controlled since
Han Dynasty struggles
for identity gains
independence after Tang