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Medieval Japan

Total questions: 40

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which sentence below describes cultural diffusion?

a)

Warships and armies from Japan attacked Korea

b)

Practices and beliefs spread from Korea to Japan

c)

Written languages developed separately in Japan and Korea.

d)

Korea and Japan grew different crops because of different climates.

2.

What is one important way in which Prince Shotoku changed Japan?

a)

He turned it into an agricultural society.

b)

He divided power among the chiefs of clans.

c)

He increased contact with neighboring cultures.

d)

He introduced the craft of bronze and iron smithing.

3.

Before the time of Prince Shotoku, Japanese government

a)

ruled over Korea and China.

b)

depended on local clan leaders.

c)

had a bureaucracy of officials.

d)

filled jobs based on examinations.

4.

Prince Shotoku’s worked to spread which religion?

a)

Shinto

b)

Islam

c)

Buddhism

d)

Confucianism

5.

The design of a Shinto temple would most likely draw attention to

a)

a code of moral rules.

b)

worship of foreign gods.

c)

the cycle of pain and suffering.

d)

respect for the beauty of nature.

6.

Urbanization, or the movement of people to cities, was illustrated in Japan when the emperor started building which city?

a)

Hokkaido

b)

Chang'an

c)

Edo

d)

Heian-Kyo

7.

As a result of foreign influence, the Japanese began creating sculptures of

a)

Shinto kami.

b)

emperors

c)

the Buddha.

d)

armored warriors.

8.

The Heian period is called Japan’s golden age because of its?

a)

rich mines.

b)

foreign trade.

c)

military power.

d)

art and literature.

9.

Which group was most responsible for the achievements of Japan’s golden age?

a)

the wealthy landowners

b)

farmers

c)

artisans

d)

merchants

10.

Some of the original buildings of Heian-kyo were later rebuilt on the same sites. Where might a tourist go to see them?

a)

Nara

b)

Kyoto

c)

Tokyo

d)

Nagaoka

11.

Why is the "Tale of Genji" especially famous?

a)

It records the lives of ordinary farmers.

b)

It reveals secrets about the royal family.

c)

It was retold as an oral history.

d)

It may have been the world's first novel.

12.

In Japan today, the lasting influence of the Heian period is strongest in

a)

rank and class.

b)

literature and drama.

c)

science and technology.

d)

politics and government.

13.

In medieval times, Japan absorbed different cultures because Prince Shotoku

a)

conquered many cities in Korea and China.

b)

had relatives that lived in Korea and China.

c)

encouraged contact with Korea and China.

d)

ruled Japan after ruling Korea and China.

14.

Japan's original religion that expresses respect for nature is called

a)

Nirvana

b)

Shinto

c)

Kami

d)

Buddhism

15.

A shorter version of a Tanka with only 3 lines and a 5-7-5 syllable pattern is called a...

a)

Prose

b)

Sonnet

c)

Haiku

d)

Waka

16.

In medieval times, where did Japan get many new art and sculpture techniques from?

a)

France and Britain

b)

Kani and Kana

c)

Korea and China

d)

India and Thailand

17.

The early form of Japanese poetry that developed is called

a)

Tanka

b)

Kanji

c)

Kana

d)

Kami

18.

How did Japanese government change after Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo came to power in 1185?

a)

The emperor became more powerful.

b)

Chinese ideas led to ranks of officials.

c)

A new constitution was based on nature.

d)

A warrior class, the samurai and daimyo, began to run the country.

19.

The main job of the shogun was to

a)

give advice to the emperor.

b)

rule through military power.

c)

encourage arts and literature.

d)

loyally serve and obey his lord.

20.

A daimyo in medieval Japan was which of the following?

a)

Ruler

b)

Landowner

c)

Warrior

d)

Farmer

21.

Who were the samurai in medieval Japan?

a)

commanders-in-chief

b)

local lords

c)

warriors

d)

Buddhist monks

22.

What did the samurai agree to do in exchange for land grants from the shogun?

a)

to devote his loyalty to the emperor alone

b)

to ensure Japan stayed at peace

c)

to entertain the shogun with poetry and music

d)

to serve and protect the shogun

23.

The samurai's most prized weapon was his

a)

fist

b)

gun

c)

horse

d)

sword

24.

A samurai's training included

a)

archery

b)

martial arts.

c)

swordsmanship

d)

all of these

25.

As part of their training, samurai had to learn

a)

relaxation techniques so that they did not always have to stay alert.

b)

self-control in order to overcome emotions that might interfere with fighting.

c)

the coffee ceremony used to build energy in preparation for battles.

d)

the ability to read their opponents minds.

26.

By the 17th century, samurai were expected to practice the art of beautiful writing, also known as

a)

Bushido

b)

calligraphy

c)

haiku

d)

sudoku

27.

The tea ceremony

a)

fostered a spirit of harmony and calm among the samurai.

b)

gave the samurai an opportunity to demonstrate their talents to the people.

c)

involved planning the downfall of the samurai's enemies.

d)

provided samurai their last meal before important battles.

28.

What helped samurai learn discipline and focus their minds?

a)

Learning History

b)

Buddhist meditation

c)

Memorizing sword patterns

d)

Drumming

29.

Bushido means

a)

"the art of beautiful writing."

b)

"the sound of one hand clapping."

c)

"the way of the warrior."

d)

"the way to paradise."

30.

A samurai's supreme duty was to be so loyal to his lord that

a)

he would fight alongside him in battle.

b)

he would gladly die for him.

c)

he would offer his daughter in marriage to him.

d)

he would surrender all of his land to him.

31.

Which of these mattered most to a samurai who was following the code of Bushido?

a)

loyalty and honor

b)

learning and intellect

c)

beauty and gracefulness

d)

forgiveness and generosity

32.

Most people in Japan's society were

a)

Daimyo

b)

Shoguns

c)

Samurai

d)

Peasants

33.

Most of Japan's terrain is

a)

Mountainous

b)

Flat

c)

Desert

d)

Rainforest

34.

The _______ shaped the lives of the Japanese people.

a)

Plains

b)

Sea

c)

Desert

d)

Rivers

35.

One thing the tea ceremony helped samurai create was

a)

intelligence

b)

alliances

c)

a sense of calm

d)

energy for battle

36.

Samurai would often write poems called ______________ that followed a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern.

a)

Tanka

b)

Haiku

c)

Koan

d)

Heian-kyo

37.

Which of the following were responsible for protecting their lord's land in medieval Japan?

a)

Peasants

b)

Samurai

c)

Daimyo

d)

Shogun

38.

Women could be samurai.

a)

True

b)

False

39.

What was the significance of the cherry blossom in samurai culture?

a)

It symbolized the fleeting nature of life

b)

It represented eternal life

c)

It was used as a medicinal herb

d)

It was a sign of wealth and prosperity

40.

Prince Shotoku, a Japanese leader, eagerly admitted skilled workers from __________ to share their trades with Japan. (Choose two correct answers)

a)
China
b)
India
c)
Korea
d)
Vietnam