Japan Map
Mar 16, 2016
Japanese Civilization
• 10,000 - 300 BCE - Prehistoric period of tribal/clan organization -Stone Age hunters and gatherers who make jomon (rope-patterned) pottery inhabit Japan
• 660 BCE - Mythological Jimmu (Divine Warrior), descendant of sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, founds first Japanese empire
• 300 BCE – 300CE – Yayoi Perido - Rice cultivation, metalworking, and the potter's wheel are introduced from China and Korea
• 100-300 CE - Local clans form small political units
Japanese Religion - Shintoism
• The most significant influences that arrived from Korea and China in Japan were in the realm of religion
• Most important of all was the arrival of Buddhism • However the Japanese did have an indigenous religion,
called Shinto• Shinto started out as a nature worship religion and
evolved into a state religion of patriotic appreciation to the Japanese land itself
• Shintoism also would include animism and ancestor worship
• Shinto rituals could be performed in homes as well as in temples – allowing it to become a more personal religion
• To an extent, the development of Shintoism was a reaction against foreign influence, especially that of China.
Japanese Religion - Shintoism
• In the 7th-8th centuries, the Japanese wrote down their native myths and legends in a collection called Kojiki (Chronicles of Ancient Events)
• In it are the creation myths and foundation of the Shinto religion
• Shinto gods are called kami• Izanagi and Izanami were the first gods from
whom all other gods descended• The most important of whom is Ameterasu, the
sun goddess, who is considered the ancestor of all Japanese emperors
Japanese Art
• Jomon Earthenware Pot• 2000 BCE• Japan• Pottery• Use of geometric patterns
to create various impressions
• Called Jomon (rope) because the patterns are rope-like in appearance
Japanese Art
• Haniwa Figures• 5th – 4th centuries BCE• Japan• Sculpture• These figures were
placed on the tops of graves
• Each one representing the deceased below or his/her interests
Japanese Art
• Horyu-ji Kondo• 670 CE• Nara, Japan• Architecture• Oldest wooden temple in
Japan• Japanese favored lateral
over linear movement and building are lined up left to right rather than one in front of the other
Phoenix Hall1053 C.E.Byodoin, Uji, JapanArchitectureThe Phoenix is the mythical bird that supposedly protects the BuddhaWas originally a private villa converted into a temple during Heian Period
Japanese Art
• Shaka Triad• 623 CE• Nara, Japan• Artist: Tori Busshi• Asuka Period• The Buddha is flanked by
2 bodhisattvas sitting on a throne
• Buddha’s name in Japan is Shakyamuni
Japanese Art
• Tale of the Genji –Azumaya Chapter• 12th century CE• Nagoya, Japan• Illuminated manuscript• Heian Hand scroll• Emphasis on placement of figures, costumes and design
Japanese Art
• Shokintei• 1660s• Kyoto, Japan• Architecture• In the Katsura Palace
Gardens• Named after the sound of
the wind in the pines that surround it
• This is a typical Japanese tea ceremony pavilion
• Nature is a key part of Japanese aesthetics
Japanese Art
• Winter Landscape• 1470s• Tokyo, Japan• Painting• Artist: Sesshu• Ashikaga Period• Harshness of pictorial style
is characteristic of Sesshu’s work
• Suggests the cold bitter mood of winter
Japanese Art
• Daruma Meditating• 1760• Japan• Painting• Artist: Hakuin Ekaku• Attempt to capture the
intensity of meditation
Japanese Art
• Painting the Lips• 1794 – 1795 CE• Tokyo, Japan• Painting/Relief• Artist: Utamaro Kitagawa• A wood block print meant
for mass production• Since she has eyebrows
she is an unmarried woman – most likely a courtesan
Japanese Art
• The Great Wave off Kanagawa
• 1831• Tokyo, Japan• Painting/Relief• Artist: Hokusai Katsushika• Also a wood block print
for reproduction• Depicts the power of
nature, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance – the symbol of Japan’s stability
Japanese Art
• Temple of the Golden Pavilion
• 1397 • Kyoto, Japan• Architecture• Muromachi Period• Built as a retreat for the
shogun Yoshimitsu and converted into a temple after his retirement
• Named because parts of temple are covered with gold leaf
Japanese Art
• Himeji Castle• 1581 – 1609• Hyogo, Japan• Architecture• Living spaces and
fortifications are combined into one space
• Made of strong masonry made necessary by the introduction of firearms and cannons
Japanese Art
• Garden of the Daisen-in Monastery
• 16th century• Kyoto, Japan• Architecture• Artist: Kagaku Soku• Used as a place of meditation
and assembly of Zen priests• Vertical rocks represent cliffs,
horizontal stones represent embankments and bridges and trees in the back represent mountains
Group Orientation
• Kinship• Bureaucracy• Ie (household) system• Group decision making• Samurai spirit (loyalty)
Individual Expression• Arts• Political and economic ambition• Private property• Individual rights• Samurai spirit (self-discipline)
The establishment of Japanese kinship organization
• Prehistoric Jomon and Yayoi cultures
• Establishment of Uji (clan/family) based social and political organization
• Yamato establishes first control over large area
• Contact with Korea and China
The rise of the Samurai
• The breakdown of imperial administration and land control
• The rise of the warrior bands• The Kamakura Shogunate (1192)• The Ashikaga Shogunate (1368)• The Warring States (1467-1573)
Social Stratification• Samurai and Nobility
(Shi)• Farmers (No)• Craftsmen (Ko)• Merchants (Sho)• (Floating world (Ukiyo)
people and Eta)
Yamato Period: 300-Yamato Period: 300-710710
“Great Kings” era
Began promoting the Began promoting the adoption of Chinese adoption of Chinese culture:culture:
Confucianism.Confucianism. Language (Language (kanjikanji characters).characters). Buddhist sects.Buddhist sects. Chinese art & architecture.Chinese art & architecture. Government structure.Government structure.
Prince Shotoku: Prince Shotoku: 573-621573-621 Adopted Chinese culture and Confucianism. Buddhist sects allowed to develop. Created a new government structure:
17 Article Constitution in 604.
Heian Period: 794-Heian Period: 794-11561156CharacteristicsCharacteristics::
Growth of large landed estates.Growth of large landed estates. Arts & literature of China Arts & literature of China flourished. flourished. Elaborate court life [highly refined] Elaborate court life [highly refined]
ETIQUETTE. ETIQUETTE. Personal diaries Personal diaries
The Pillow BookThe Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon by Sei Shonagon [10c][10c]
Great novelGreat novel The Tale of GenjiThe Tale of Genji by by Lady Lady MurasakiMurasaki Shikibu Shikibu [1000 pgs.+] [1000 pgs.+]
Moving away from Chinese models inMoving away from Chinese models in religion, the arts, and government. religion, the arts, and government.
Heian Period:Heian Period:Cultural BorrowingCultural Borrowing
1.1.Chinese writing.Chinese writing.
2.2.Chinese artistic styles.Chinese artistic styles.
3.3.Buddhism [in the form Buddhism [in the form of of ZEN].ZEN].
4.4.BUT, not the Chinese BUT, not the Chinese civil civil service system! service system!
Lady Murasaki ShikibuLady Murasaki Shikibu
She contributed much to the Japanese script known as kana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.
FeudaFeudal l
SocietSocietyy
The emperor The emperor reigned, but reigned, but
did not always did not always rule!rule!
FeudalismFeudalismA political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Japan:Japan: Shogun
Daimyo Daimyo
Samurai Samurai Samurai
Peasant PeasantPeasantPeasant
Land - Shoen
Land - Shoen
Protection
Loyalty
Loyalty
Food
Seppuku: Seppuku: Ritual SuicideRitual Suicide
Kaishaku – his “seconds”
It is honorable to die in this way.
FeudalismFeudalismA political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Europe: King
Lord Lord
Knight Knight Knight
Peasant PeasantPeasantPeasant
Land - Fief
Land - Fief
Protection
Loyalty
Loyalty
Food
Zen Buddhism A Japanese variation of the Mahayana form of Buddhism, which came from India through China. It reinforced the Bushido values of mental and self-discipline.
The Age of the Warring States:
(1467 - 1568) Castles built on hills in different provinces.
Power shifts from above to below.
Europeans arrive in Japan bringing firearms & Christianity.
Christianity & foreign trade flourish.
Catholic Jesuits in Catholic Jesuits in JapanJapan
St. Francis Xavier[First Catholic Missionaries in [First Catholic Missionaries in
Asia]Asia]
Toyotomi Hideyoshi(1536-1598)
Becomes suspicious of European territorial ambitions. Orders all European missionaries expelled from Japan. Tries to invade Korea, but fails.
Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-(1543-1616)1616) Appointed shogun Appointed shogun
by by the Emperor. the Emperor. Four-class system Four-class system laid down with laid down with marriage marriage restrictedrestricted to members of the to members of the same class! same class!
Warriors.Warriors. Farmers.Farmers. Artisans.Artisans. Merchants.Merchants.
Tokugawa Shogunate Period Japan closed off to all trade
[except to the Dutch and Chinese]. The Dutch were restricted to a small island in Nagasaki harbor.
Japanese Christians persecuted and Christianity is forbidden. The government is centralized with all power in the hands of the shogun. Domestic trade flourishes. Towns, esp. castle towns, increase. Merchant class becomes rich! New art forms haiku poetry, kabuki theater.
ShintoShinto
Polytheism
AncestorWorship
Hyper-Nationalism
The Worldof the kamiMinimize
sin &guilt
GreatCreator
Hot Sand Bath at Takegawara Onsen,
Beppu
Origins in the Nara Period (710-Origins in the Nara Period (710-794)794)
Noh Theater
TraditionTraditionalal
WeepingWeepingGestureGesture
Woman Woman Heavenly-beingHeavenly-beingDemonnessDemonness
Old Man Old Man WarriorWarrior Demon Demon GodGod
Haiku : 17-syllable poem
Matsuo BashoMatsuo Basho, Master of , Master of HaikuHaiku
Spring Spring departs.departs.Birds cryBirds cryFishes' eyes Fishes' eyes are filled with are filled with tears.tears.
Ikebana : The Art of Japanese Flower
Arranging
Tallest Tallest Heaven Heaven Middle Middle Man Man Smallest Smallest Earth Earth