DROPBOX/PASS UP JAPAN HW #2

V-SHARE

1. JAPAN NOTES #2

SHINTOISM & BUDDHISM #2

I. HOW DID CHINA INFLUENCE JAPAN?

A. Belief Systems1. Buddhism -- spread throughout Asia.2. Confucianism --strong family values & ancestor worship.3. Taoism – nature.4. Legalism -- following of emperor’s laws without

question.

B. The Arts -- painting, architecture & sculpture.C. Writing -- adapted Chinese writing system.D. Government -- civil service exams.

I. CHINESE BELIEFS & CULTURE SPREAD TO JAPAN

A Zen Buddhist Pagoda

1. Zen Buddhism A Japanese variation of the Mahayana form of Buddhism, which came from India through China. It reinforced the Bushido values of mental and self-discipline.

1. Zen Buddhism

a. A sect from Chinab. Values/Beliefs:

– devotion to duty– meditation and prayer– scholarship– Valued: peace, simplicity and love of

beauty – nirvana– devotion to nature

1. Zen Buddhist Templec. Zen monks were the leading

scholars and artists of feudal Japan.

d. This temple was a Zen monastery and a peaceful retreat for visiting shoguns seeking advice.

e. How does the setting of this temple reflect Zen values?

Primary Source Document• Perfect Serenity: Kenko, Zen Buddhist priest• “If we were never to fade away…but linger on forever in the

world, how things would lose their power to move us! The most precious thing in life is its uncertainty. The May fly waits not for the evening, the summer cicada knows neither spring nor autumn. What a wonderfully unhurried feeling it is to live even a single year in perfect serenity. If that is not enough for you, you might live a thousand years, and still feel it was but a single nights dream We cannot live forever in this world.”

• How do Kenko’s words reflect what you know about Buddhist beliefs?

2. Prince Shotoku: 573-621 Adopted Chinese

culture and Confucianism. Buddhist sects allowed to develop. Created a new government structure: 17 Article Constitution in 604.

Yamato Period: 300-710

“Great Kings” era

Began promoting the adoption of Chinese culture:

Confucianism. Language (kanji characters). Buddhist sects. Chinese art & architecture. Government structure.

II. Unique Japanese TraditionA. Shintoism – “the way of the gods.”B. Early Japanese religion.C. Kami spirits/gods found throughout nature.D. The ArtsE. Kabuki theatre – drama performed through singing

& dancing.F. Haiku – three-line Japanese poem (syllables 5, 7,

5).

Shinto• Ethnic religion unique to Japan• Importance of natural features, forces of

nature and ancestors.• State religion: worshipping the Emperor.• Coexistence with Buddhism (believed in

both).• Way of the kami (nature spirits)• Helped unify Japan under imperial rule

Influences • Influenced by China• Writing• Architecture• Art, science, government and fashion influenced Japan

kami (nature spirits)

III. How did Shintoism & Buddhism Influence each other?

A. Competing for followers (Cooperation amongst competitors)

B. Buddhism incorporated Shinto practices and offered new ones

C. Shinto adopted Buddhist use of arts and textsD. Shared space and followersE. Most Japanese remain both Shinto and Buddhist;

people and groups can compete and cooperate at same time

Poverty's child -he starts to grind the

rice,and gazes at the moon.

5

7

5

Windy Sea of shame:

My honor broken,

Katana blade Kikkoman,

Soy sauce seppuku.

??

• Hope is when you think

• For something to happen

• Or is it false thoughts?

~HaikuLover~

• The sun is very bright

• But sometimes it is very dark

• That is an eclipse

--DUHH

• Laying in my bed,

• staring at the closed curtains.

• Should I rise or not?

Lady Murasaki Shikibu

She contributed much to the Japanese script known as kana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.

Database Terms

• 1 Prince Shotoku• 2 Shintoism• 3 Zen Buddhism

Database Terms• 1 Prince Shotoku• 2 Yamato Clan• 3 Katana• 4 HariKari• 5 Adm. Comodor Perry• 6 Shintoism• 7 Zen Buddhism• 8 Saumarai• 9 Dymano• 10 Shogun• 11 bushido• 12 divine wind• 13 feudalism

• Oriental• Katana• Sapsuku & HariKari

V-SHARE

• JAPAN

AIM: How did feudalism shape Japanese society?

Do Now: Based on this document, what is seppuku and why would a samurai perform it?

In the world of the warrior, seppuku was a deed of bravery that was admirable in a samurai who knew he was defeated, disgraced, or mortally wounded. It meant that he could end his days with his wrongdoing wiped away and with his reputation not merely intact but actually enhanced. The cutting of the abdomen released the samurai’s spirit in the most dramatic fashion, but it was an extremely painful and unpleasant way to die, and sometimes the samurai who was performing the act asked a loyal comrade to cut off his head at the moment of agony.

HW: Compare your family structure to that of the roles of the Japanese during feudal times.

Japanese Feudalism

I. Feudalism: self-sufficient political/social structure of Japan.1. Emperor – figurehead, no real power.2. Shogun – local rulers with power & land.

A. Gave some of their land to the daimyo in exchange for loyalty.3. Daimyo – large landowners.

A. Gave some of their land to the samurai in exchange for protection.

4. Samurai – warriors.A. Gave protection to the lower class in exchange for food &

services.B. Bushido Code – “the way of the warrior”

i. Rules that the samurai had to live by.5. Peasants, artisans & merchants.

A. Made up 4/5 of the population.