Geography and Culture 7.09 of Japan

What effect has geography had on the island of Japan?

• The seas have isolated Japan and protected it from invasion.

• Japan has been invaded by many countries during its history.

• Famine was common in Japan due to the limited area available for farming.

• Water is scarce on the islands of Japan making it hard to grow crops.

What is one way that Japanese culture was shaped by its geography?

• Its island location allowed it to make connections with many foreign cultures.

• Its great forests allowed it to become the first industrial nation.

• Its location allowed it to study and adapt Chinese culture to suit its own needs.

• Its mountains allowed it to become a great farming nation.

What is one way in which China influenced the development of culture in Japan?

• The Japanese religion of Shintoism has roots in Chinese Confucianism.

• The Japanese system of democracy was inspired by Chinese dynasties.

• The Japanese writing system is based on the Chinese writing system.

• The Japanese feudal system was first invented in China.

Why is Japanese culture most similar to Chinese culture?

• Japan is geographically close to China.

• Japan invented Confucianism.

• Japan adopted democracy.

• Japan refused to make allies in the region.

The architecture of many Japanese buildings was inspired by what?

• Korean invaders

• trade with the West

• access to Christianity

• Zen Buddhism

This is an image of a statue in Japan.

• Buddhism

• Confucianism

• Hinduism

• Taoism

How did the government of Japan change during the Nara period?

• The government was reorganized and divided into several different ranks of importance.

• The government was overthrown in a democratic revolution.

• The government stopped practicing feudalism.

• The government began to employ commoners and used civil service exams to assign jobs.

How has Japanese society adapted Buddhism to fit its culture better?

• by adding religious laws about land ownership to support feudalism

• by adding ideas about capitalism to support international trade

• by adding ideas of Shinto to make the religion more popular

• by adding a monotheistic deity to make the religion more similar to Christianity

Which two religions had the greatest influence on Japanese culture?

• Buddhism and Shinto

• Christianity and Judaism

• Hinduism and Shinto

• Judaism and Islam

For this item, select the answer from the drop-down menu. ________ had the greatest influence on Japanese culture and government during the Nara Period.

• China

• India

• Korea

• Mongolia