Chapter 8 Japan Study Guide

A Japanese religion whose followers believe that all things in the natural world are filled with divine spirits

China contributed Buddhism and some of its characters to Japan

About 4000 islands make up the Japanese archipelago or island group which extends in an arc more than 1,200 miles long. Most Japanese people live on the 4 largest islands. It is so mountainous that only about 12 percent of the land is suitable for farming. Natural resources such as coal, oil and iron are in short supply. There are typhoons, earthquakes, and tidal waves.

A person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent

Japanese regent, he was one of Japan’s greatest leaders. He was influential in bringing Buddhism and Chinese ideas to Japan.

An official residence/office of an ambassador (someone who represents our country), usually outside of a country

Groups of people; Japanese people were organized into these. They fought over who should rule Japan.

The art of precise and decorative handwriting or hand-printing; handwriting in general.

The use of a brush and dark ink (not paint) originated in China. It spread to Japan and elsewhere. A highly trained scholar (painter) or religious monk could create an immense variety of marks and forms with the brush.

The art of placing floral material in a container in a pleasing manner following various artistic principles; known as ikebana (??)

One of the three great unifiers that was the son of a samurai. He also was a military commander under the Ashikaga shogunate, that seized the imperial capital of Kyoto and placed the reigning shogun under his domination.

At their capital, Angkor, Khmer rulers built extensive city-and-temple complexes. Ankor Wat is one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements. The complex, which covers nearly a square mile, was built as a symbolic mountain dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The Khmer also used it as an observatory.

Korean ceramic pottery with a thin blue or green glaze.

The supreme ruler of the Japanese empire.

a Buddhist sect that emphasizes enlightenment through meditation and stresses simplicity and discipline

Found art in nature, expressed importance of moment, calm quiet places for meditation. Made of sand and rocks. A LOT of sand and rocks

Japanese drama that appealed to the nobles and samurai

Japanese drama aimed at farmers, merchants, and other common folk

Japanese writer in Heian Dynasty; wrote The Tale of Genji (about life of prince in imperial court), which was the first realistic fiction, and the first novel.

Generally acknowledged as the master of the haiku form, the most notable influences on his work were Zen Buddhism and his travels throughout Japan. He is noted for works like The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Oku no hosomichi), which includes descriptions of local sights in both prose and haiku.

A three line poem of the Japanese tradition employing highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature or one of the seasons.

Issued by Shotoku Taishi, this document declared that the Japanese ruler was the Chinese Emperor and encouraged Buddhism and Confucianism

Japanese aristocratic family in mid-9th century; exercised exceptional influence over imperial affairs; aided in decline of imperial power.

Nanyue or Nam Viet was an ancient kingdom that consisted of parts of the modern Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan and northern Vietnam.

The most powerful and longest-lasting kingdom on the mainland of southwest Asia, centering in what is today Cambodia. It reached its peak of power around 1200 CE. For centuries it was the main power on the southeast Asian mainland. Improved rice cultivation (that allowed four crops per year) made this empire more prosperous.

A semi-feudal government of Japan in which one of the shoguns unified the country under his family’s rule. They moved the capital to Edo, which now is called Tokyo. This family ruled from Edo 1868, when it was abolished during the Meiji Restoration.

A member of a powerful military caste in feudal Japan, especially a member of the class of military retainers of the daimyos. They followed a code called “Bushido”, or “the way of the warrior”, which was the Japanese word for the Samurai life. Samurai moral code was based on loyalty, chivalry, martial arts, and honor until the death.

A political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their emperor, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land.

The emperor was at the top of the feudal pyramid, but was only a figurehead. The real rulers, the shogun and daimyo, were under him in the feudal pyramid. Under their tier were the samurai, the warriors. Then came the peasants and artisans, who provided goods that were actually needed in life. At the bottom were the merchants, who sold unnecessary and uncommon goods.