The Rise of Japan The Rise of Japan

Consider: How did Japan’s Consider: How did Japan’s island location enable it to island location enable it to

develop its own unique develop its own unique culture?culture?

Japan emerged as a nation Japan emerged as a nation more than 1,500 years ago on more than 1,500 years ago on a group of islands (an a group of islands (an archipelago) near the coast of archipelago) near the coast of Asia.Asia.

Japan - NipponJapan - Nippon

• ““Land of the Rising Land of the Rising Sun”Sun”– Four large islands Four large islands

and thousands of and thousands of smaller ones.smaller ones.

– Honshu is the main Honshu is the main island.island.

– Total land area is Total land area is about the size of about the size of California.California.

ClimateClimate

• The northernmost The northernmost island, Hokkaido island, Hokkaido has much snowfall.has much snowfall.

• The southern island The southern island of Kyushu is of Kyushu is tropical.tropical.

Mt. Fuji (Fujiyama)Mt. Fuji (Fujiyama)

• Highest Peak Highest Peak (12,000 feet about (12,000 feet about sea level)sea level)

The Ring of FireThe Ring of Fire

• Japan sit between two plates. These Japan sit between two plates. These plates beneath Japan are constantly plates beneath Japan are constantly pushing against one another. pushing against one another. Whenever one moves, there is an Whenever one moves, there is an earthquake. earthquake.

• Japan is a part of the Ring of Fire, a Japan is a part of the Ring of Fire, a region of volcanoes and earthquakes region of volcanoes and earthquakes that circle the Pacific Ocean. that circle the Pacific Ocean.

Japan and Its NeighborsJapan and Its Neighbors

• Korea is separated from Japan by Korea is separated from Japan by more than 200 miles of ocean. more than 200 miles of ocean.

• China is even farther away.China is even farther away.

• These distances discourage contact.These distances discourage contact.

Early InhabitantsEarly Inhabitants

• The first settlers came from mainland China.The first settlers came from mainland China.• Most came during the Ice Age when land Most came during the Ice Age when land

bridges linked Japan with Korea and Siberia.bridges linked Japan with Korea and Siberia.• Early inhabitants survived by hunting and Early inhabitants survived by hunting and

fishing.fishing.• 300 B.C. another group of settlers came who 300 B.C. another group of settlers came who

worked with iron and bronze and, most worked with iron and bronze and, most importantly, introduced the farming of rice. importantly, introduced the farming of rice. Rice became Japan’s most important crop.Rice became Japan’s most important crop.

A Borrowed Writing SystemA Borrowed Writing System

• Around A.D. 500, Around A.D. 500, the Japanese the Japanese began to borrow began to borrow the Chinese writing the Chinese writing system.system.– Later, this system Later, this system

was adapted by the was adapted by the Japanese. Japanese.

The Arrival of BuddhismThe Arrival of Buddhism

• In A.D. 552, Buddhist priests from In A.D. 552, Buddhist priests from Korea arrived in Japan.Korea arrived in Japan.

• Most Japanese before the arrival of Most Japanese before the arrival of Buddhism, practiced Shinto – “The Buddhism, practiced Shinto – “The Way of the gods”Way of the gods”

• Over time, Buddhism became an Over time, Buddhism became an important part of Japanese culture.important part of Japanese culture.

Review Questions (After Review Questions (After Reading the Section – Turn, Reading the Section – Turn, discuss, and write)discuss, and write)1. Does Japan share its borders with other 1. Does Japan share its borders with other

countries?countries?2. How might this have affected Japan’s culture?2. How might this have affected Japan’s culture?3. Think about the “Ring of Fire” – How have the 3. Think about the “Ring of Fire” – How have the

mountains affected how the people of Japan have mountains affected how the people of Japan have lived?lived?

4. How might isolation been both good and bad for 4. How might isolation been both good and bad for Japan?Japan?

5. How do you think Japan’s culture would be 5. How do you think Japan’s culture would be different if its contacts with China and Korea had different if its contacts with China and Korea had not come until much later?not come until much later?

6. How did geography affect the early development 6. How did geography affect the early development of Japanese culture?of Japanese culture?

The Age of Emperors The Age of Emperors

Japan’s Early HistoryJapan’s Early History

• Since Japan did not Since Japan did not have a written have a written language until the language until the 500s, most of what 500s, most of what we know comes we know comes from myth, oral from myth, oral traditions, outside traditions, outside observers, and observers, and archaeologyarchaeology

Traditional SocietyTraditional Society

• Early Japan was made Early Japan was made up of clans. Each clan up of clans. Each clan had their own land had their own land and chiefs.and chiefs.– This social organization This social organization

lasted hundreds of lasted hundreds of years.years.

• Under Shinto, each Under Shinto, each clan worshiped its clan worshiped its own local kami, or own local kami, or gods and spirits.gods and spirits.

KamiKami

• Found in natural Found in natural objectsobjects– Mountains and treesMountains and trees

• Worshipped in Shinto Worshipped in Shinto shrinesshrines– Built wherever people Built wherever people

felt the power of kamifelt the power of kami– There are thousands of There are thousands of

shrines throughout shrines throughout JapanJapan

Founding MythsFounding Myths

• According to legend, the Sun Goddess According to legend, the Sun Goddess and her brother, the Storm God, often and her brother, the Storm God, often quarreled. Each supporting different quarreled. Each supporting different clans. The Sun Goddess won and she clans. The Sun Goddess won and she sent her grandson, Ninigi, to rule sent her grandson, Ninigi, to rule Japan.Japan.

• Jimmu, Japan’s first emperor (660 Jimmu, Japan’s first emperor (660 B.C.), is believed to be descended from B.C.), is believed to be descended from the Sun Goddess.the Sun Goddess.

Japan’s Imperial FamilyJapan’s Imperial Family

• Yamato Clan: Settled on the fertile Yamato Clan: Settled on the fertile plains of central Honshu.plains of central Honshu.

• Steadily gained control over Japan.Steadily gained control over Japan.

• Claimed descent from the royal Claimed descent from the royal “Sun” line.“Sun” line.

• Emperors were thought to be living Emperors were thought to be living gods.gods.

Prince Shotoku Unites JapanPrince Shotoku Unites Japan

• Even with the rise of the Yamato Even with the rise of the Yamato clan, Japan was not united.clan, Japan was not united.

• In 593 Prince Shotoku took power as In 593 Prince Shotoku took power as a regent for his Aunt Suiko.a regent for his Aunt Suiko.

• Prince Shotoku became very popular.Prince Shotoku became very popular.• He united Japan under a strong He united Japan under a strong

central government by encouraging central government by encouraging the spread of…the spread of…

……BuddhismBuddhism

• Clan leaders opposed the new religion, but Clan leaders opposed the new religion, but Shotoku believed it could unite Japan.Shotoku believed it could unite Japan.

• Shotoku also studied the writings of Shotoku also studied the writings of Confucius.Confucius.

• Under Buddhist and Confucius thought, Under Buddhist and Confucius thought, Shotoku gave Japan its first constitution.Shotoku gave Japan its first constitution.

• Shotoku sent representatives to China on Shotoku sent representatives to China on his behalf. He then made Japan’s his behalf. He then made Japan’s government more like that of imperial government more like that of imperial China. Japan also adopted China’s calendar.China. Japan also adopted China’s calendar.

Later ReformsLater Reforms

• Prince Shotoku died in 622. Prince Shotoku died in 622.

• Reformers carried on his goal to create Reformers carried on his goal to create a unified and strong government.a unified and strong government.

• Reformers put forth a program called Reformers put forth a program called the Taika Reform (“great change”). the Taika Reform (“great change”). These reforms made everyone a These reforms made everyone a subject of the emperor and all land subject of the emperor and all land was now belong to the emperor and was now belong to the emperor and not clan leaders. However, clan not clan leaders. However, clan leaders were given paid official jobs.leaders were given paid official jobs.

Review Questions (After Review Questions (After Reading the Section – Turn, Reading the Section – Turn, discuss, and write)discuss, and write)1.1. What are the advantages to a strong central government?What are the advantages to a strong central government?2.2. What are the disadvantages?What are the disadvantages?3.3. Who ruled the clans?Who ruled the clans?4.4. How did the Yamato clan gain control?How did the Yamato clan gain control?5.5. What are the advantages of gaining power through marriage or What are the advantages of gaining power through marriage or

other ties?other ties?6.6. What difficult task did Prince Shotoku undertake?What difficult task did Prince Shotoku undertake?7.7. How did the encouraging of Buddhism help accomplish this task?How did the encouraging of Buddhism help accomplish this task?8.8. How did Prince Shotoku learn about Chinese culture?How did Prince Shotoku learn about Chinese culture?9.9. What changes did he bring about to make Japan more like China?What changes did he bring about to make Japan more like China?10.10. At the time the Taika Reform was issued, how was Japanese At the time the Taika Reform was issued, how was Japanese

society different from the early days of clan society?society different from the early days of clan society?11.11. Section Focus Question: How did Prince Shotoku unite Japan and Section Focus Question: How did Prince Shotoku unite Japan and

set the stage for the development of a strong central government?set the stage for the development of a strong central government?

The Development of The Development of FeudalismFeudalism• Two New capitalsTwo New capitals

– The Taika Reform called for building a The Taika Reform called for building a permanent imperial capital for Japan. permanent imperial capital for Japan.

Imperial Rule at NaraImperial Rule at Nara

• The new city of Nara was modeled The new city of Nara was modeled after the Chinese capital of Chang’an. after the Chinese capital of Chang’an. The city became a center of culture.The city became a center of culture.

• Nara did not have a defensive wall Nara did not have a defensive wall because Japan felt protected by the because Japan felt protected by the sea.sea.

• Most officials were sons from noble Most officials were sons from noble families.families.

• Buddhism dominated the new capital.Buddhism dominated the new capital.

The Capital MovesThe Capital Moves

• In Nara, Buddhist monks and priests In Nara, Buddhist monks and priests accumulated great wealth and political power. accumulated great wealth and political power. A priest (Dokyo) even tried to become A priest (Dokyo) even tried to become emperor.emperor.

• In 794, Emperor Kammu moved the In 794, Emperor Kammu moved the government to a new capital. The powerful government to a new capital. The powerful Buddhist monasteries of Nara were not Buddhist monasteries of Nara were not allowed to follow.allowed to follow.

• The new city was named Heian-kyo (capital of The new city was named Heian-kyo (capital of peace) or Kyoto.peace) or Kyoto.

Shifts in PowerShifts in Power

• Rise of the Fujiwara Rise of the Fujiwara – 850, the Fujiwara family was running the country.850, the Fujiwara family was running the country.– The emperor had become a “puppet.”The emperor had become a “puppet.”– Had their daughters marry princes of the imperial Had their daughters marry princes of the imperial

family.family.– Fujiwara leader would become a regent when a Fujiwara leader would become a regent when a

son was born.son was born.– Fujiwara clan marked a shift in power; the Fujiwara clan marked a shift in power; the

government had less control. Family in charge, government had less control. Family in charge, not the emperor. Contact with China ended.not the emperor. Contact with China ended.

Rival Clans Battle for PowerRival Clans Battle for Power

• Outside clans resented the Fujiwara’s Outside clans resented the Fujiwara’s power.power.

• Clans began to raise their own armies.Clans began to raise their own armies.– Armies faithful to their clans not the emperor.Armies faithful to their clans not the emperor.

• The most powerful clans were the Taira The most powerful clans were the Taira and Minamoto. They worked together to and Minamoto. They worked together to overthrow the Fujiwara clan, but then overthrow the Fujiwara clan, but then turned against each other. Power turned against each other. Power continued to shift between them.continued to shift between them.

The First ShogunThe First Shogun

• In 1185, Minamoto and Taira forces In 1185, Minamoto and Taira forces clashed at sea. The winner was…clashed at sea. The winner was…

……Minamoto Yoritomo – he became the Minamoto Yoritomo – he became the most powerful man in Japan and most powerful man in Japan and earned the title of Shogun (supreme earned the title of Shogun (supreme military commander).military commander).

A New Social OrderA New Social Order

• Life under the Shoguns was lawless and Life under the Shoguns was lawless and violent.violent.

• Protection of the people became the Protection of the people became the responsibility of the Daimyo – local land-responsibility of the Daimyo – local land-owning lords.owning lords.

• He provided protection through a small He provided protection through a small army of Samurai (highly trained warriors).army of Samurai (highly trained warriors).

• The above resulted in a social order known The above resulted in a social order known as feudalism.as feudalism.

Review Questions (After Review Questions (After Reading the Section – Turn & Reading the Section – Turn & Talk)Talk)1.1. What kind of leadership did Japan have around A.D. 700?What kind of leadership did Japan have around A.D. 700?2.2. How did the Taika Reform strengthen the emperor's power?How did the Taika Reform strengthen the emperor's power?3.3. How was the capital at Nara similar to the Chinese capital at How was the capital at Nara similar to the Chinese capital at

Chang’an?Chang’an?4.4. How was it different?How was it different?5.5. Why did the emperor Kammu move the capital to Keian-kyo?Why did the emperor Kammu move the capital to Keian-kyo?6.6. How did the Fujiwara family lose power?How did the Fujiwara family lose power?7.7. How did Minamoto Yoritomo change the meaning of Shogun?How did Minamoto Yoritomo change the meaning of Shogun?8.8. How did the rise of the Fujiwara represent a shift of power in How did the rise of the Fujiwara represent a shift of power in

Japan?Japan?9.9. How did this shift eventually give rise to feudalism?How did this shift eventually give rise to feudalism?10.10. Section Focus Question (Stop & Jot): Why did the power of the Section Focus Question (Stop & Jot): Why did the power of the

emperor decline and feudal society develop in Japan?emperor decline and feudal society develop in Japan?

Chapter Focus Question:Chapter Focus Question:

• So, how did Japan’s island location So, how did Japan’s island location enable it to develop its own unique enable it to develop its own unique culture?culture?