MEDIEVAL JAPAN

Reading 1 – The Influence of Neighboring Cultures on Japan. A. Multiple Choice. Which two regions most strongly influenced early Japanese culture?

• Europe and Africa

• China and Korea

• India and the Middle East

• Australia and China

Reading 1 – The Influence of Neighboring Cultures on Japan. A. Multiple Choice. Which religion reached Japan through cultural diffusion?

• Shinto

• Buddhism

• Christianity

• Islam

Reading 1 – The Influence of Neighboring Cultures on Japan. A. Multiple Choice. What is cultural diffusion?

• The loss of traditional culture

• The spread of ideas from one place to another

• The creation of new religions

• The movement of armies between countries

Reading 1 – The Influence of Neighboring Cultures on Japan. A. Multiple Choice. Why did Japan create the kanji and kana systems?

• To replace all spoken language

• To copy Chinese exactly

• To write the Japanese language more easily

• To communicate with Europe

Reading 1 – The Influence of Neighboring Cultures on Japan. B. Vocabulary – Matching. Match each term with the correct definition.

• Simplified characters used to represent Japanese sounds

• Kanji

• A writing system using Chinese characters adapted for Japanese

• Kana

• The spread of ideas, beliefs, and customs between cultures

• Cultural diffusion

• A religion that spread to Japan from Korea and China

• Buddhism

Reading 1 – The Influence of Neighboring Cultures on Japan. C. Short Answer (converted to MCQ). Why was Japan able to create a unique culture even while borrowing ideas from other regions?

• By blending foreign ideas with local traditions to create distinct Japanese practices

• By isolating completely and rejecting contact with neighbors

• By copying foreign ideas exactly without change

• By relying mainly on trade with Europe for cultural development

Reading 2 – Heian-kyo and Japan’s Golden Age. A. Multiple Choice. Why is the Heian period called a golden age?

• Japan expanded its empire

• Samurai ruled the government

• Culture and the arts flourished

• New technology was invented

Reading 2 – Heian-kyo and Japan’s Golden Age. A. Multiple Choice. Where was Japan’s capital during the Heian period?

• Nara

• Kamakura

• Heian-kyo

• Edo

Reading 2 – Heian-kyo and Japan’s Golden Age. A. Multiple Choice. What did Heian aristocrats value the most?

• Military strength

• Trade and wealth

• Beauty, elegance, and manners

• Farming and labor

Reading 2 – Heian-kyo and Japan’s Golden Age. A. Multiple Choice. Which group had the most influence over culture and politics during the Heian period?

• Peasants

• Samurai

• Aristocrats

• Merchants