Medieval Japan

Prince Shotoku united all of Japan under a strong central government. Which of the following describe the action Prince Shotoku took to accomplish this goal?

• Prince Shotoku looked to China as an example of successful government as he created the first Constitution of Japan based on Confucian and Buddhist idea

• Prince Shotoku sent representatives to Korea to study art and government as he designed the court system for Japan based on Korean ideas.

• Prince Shotoku studied the idea of Taika in Italy, which made everyone a subject of the emperor.

• Prince Shotoku studied under Pharaoh Hatshepsut of Egypt. He learned the ways of the Egyptian legal system and then implemented that system in Japan.

The word samurai means “those who serve." Use your knowledge of Japan's feudal social structure to describe who the samurai served.

• The emperor; samurai pledged absolute obedience to this top government official.

• Shoguns or daimyo, the warlords and military leaders of medieval Japan.

• The royal court; samurai served this group to ensure harmony in feudal society.

• Their families; family units were highly valued in feudal Japan.

Compared to their feudal Japanese social classes, which element(s) of culture could provide evidence that the samurai valued courage?

• Samurai courage is evident in the many calligraphy brushes archaeologists have unearthed from that time period.

• Statues of the Buddha demonstrate the samurai ideal of courage.

• A farm-hoe and garden plow might display the samurais' cultural value of courage.

• Sword and armor--these artifacts demonstrate a value in courage.

Followers of Buddhism believed the way to find truth was to give up all desires. Japanese Buddhists built temples, produced paintings, and wrote poems and plays. Explain what the followers of Shinto believed...

• Faith is not as important as enlightenment and appeals mainly to warriors.

• There are nature spirits--called Kami--which people must worship and please.

• Shinto requires one to follow the teachings presented in holy scripture.

• Followers of Shinto believe a person can only reach enlightenment through meditation.

Compare each of the social classes of feudal Japan as you consider the quote below. From whose perspective is this poem written? "Though a time comes when mountains crack and seas go dry, never to my lord will I be found double-hearted."

• The samurai, or "those who serve."

• A lord, or one who gave land in exchange for military protection in a feudal system.

• The daimyo, one of the great lords who were vassals of the shogun.

• The Emperor, the highest ranking lord or official in feudal Japan.

Compared to the European feudal system, Japan produced more goods and grew richer under the Shoguns. Which best describes how Japan increased their wealth during this period?

• Japan's wealth came from its farmers, artisans, and increased trade with Korea, China, and Southeast Asia.

• Japan's wealth came from shipping their surplus crops to the newly developing civilizations in the Americas.

• Japan's wealth came from the works of their artisan class by selling poetry, pottery, and jewelry to other civilizations.

• Japan's wealth came from taxing their citizens.

The sea surrounding Japan's islands made it easy for people in ships to travel along the coast and from island to island. It encouraged people to become merchants, traveling from village to village with goods to trade. Explain what the sea and mountainous terrain of Japan allowed for.

• Enemies to easily attack.

• Lots of farming to take place.

• An isolated and independent society.

• Both cold and tropical weather.

Prince Shotoku focused on many reforms to strengthen the country of Japan. He often looked to China for influence in his reforms. Describe which aspect of China Prince Shotoku focused on.

• A greater influence of Islam thoughout the mainlands of Japan.

• A larger focus on military prowess.

• A more centralized government with more power.

• A less structured approach to governing.

In order to establish a stronger Japan that mirrored China, describe what Prince Shotoku relied on as his guide.

• Articles of Confederation that outlined the structure of the government and the guide to Shintoism.

• A constitution that gave ultimate power to the emperor and borrowed ideas from Confucious.

• A constitution that outlined the plan of government which relied on giving power to the nobles.

• Articles of Confederation that allowed power to rest with the merchants, (the highest class).

Shintoism is as old as Japan itself. Over 80% of the people in Japan practice Shintoism, but it is very different from other major religions in the world. Compare Shintoism to other major world religions.

• Shintoism has two major deities or gods that they pray to, whereas most major religions focus on one.

• Shintoism relies on the teachings of several prophets that have brought messages from their two main gods.

• Shintoism has a rigid schedule that its followers must adhere to unlike religions like Islam.

• Shintoism has no sacred book that they follow unlike major religions like Christianity and Islam.