JAPAN EMERGES

500 C.E.-800C.E.

First Contact

Buddhism serves as a vehicle of Chinese culture (brought ironically via Korea) Japanese elite adopt new religion (cult) Importation of “high culture”---Chinese

classics travel to Japan (medicine, music, calendric calculation, and practices in divination)

By 618 the Tang established a brilliant Dynasty in China and Japan was fortunate “to have its mentor the most powerful and advanced country in the world”

“Most Clever” Japanese RulerJapan is unified by the Soga family in 593, in particular

Prince Shotoku who: Introduced Chinese style bureaucracy (promotion based on

merit) His government organization lasts for 1000 years until Western

*(American) Occupation post WWII Is so revered he is still on Japanese currency Made the Japanese ruler supreme, called Tenno, similar to “Mandate

of Heaven” and “Divine Right of Kings” Buddhism revered, Confucianism followed-both promoted

Harmony (supreme social virtue) Adopted Chinese calendar Established ongoing ties with China-coined the phrase “Land of

the Rising Sun” called China “Land of the Setting Sun” create symbiotic/symbolic relationship

What the Most Clever leaves behind

Prince Shotoku established 46 Buddhist temples, and there were 1345 monks and nuns at the end of his reign.

He is highly revered cultural hero in Japanese history as: Shotoku Taishi-which means Crown Prince Virtuous Sage

Taika Reforms

Soga family overthrown-Taika period begins, means “Great Change” Sinophiles emerge (those that worship Chinese

culture) Japan continues to adopt Chinese culture but

seeks to establish itself Taika Reforms: a capital (Chinese buildings), central

govt. ministries, uniform provincial govt., central system of taxation, census, systematic codes of law

Chinese practice was not followed blindly and where appropriate modifications were made or ideas ignored Ie. Examination system not adopted (hereditary rule)

The Capital of Nara

Previously customary to abandon capital after Emperor dies

710 C.E. after marks high point in Chinese cultural influence in Japan Grid pattern of city (Ch’ang-an, capital of China) Grass Burning Festival-huge fires lit to purify the

city’s Buddhist temples Japanese culture valued Buddhist images over

texts Most outstanding ex. Of Tang Architecture in Japan

Todaiji Temple (Great Hall largest wooden building in world)

Nara Period Continued…

Emperor Shomu Enthusiastic Patron of Buddhism Dedicated Vairocana Buddha at Todaiji temple

Largest bronze sculpture in the world Shosoin- Shomu’s personal belongings &1 of the

world’s most extraordinary time-capsules 9000 items (incl. items from silk roads trade)

Empress Koken High point of Buddhist influence in Japan (Empress

became subject to a Buddhist monk-no women rulers for 1000 years)

Buddhist monks promoted public works spread appeal of Buddhism (mystical transition to spiritual)

Japanese Architecture

As an outgrowth of Chinese influence, Japan developed a separate type of Architecture based on resources and environment The Horyuji Pagoda

Blends human wisdom and the life of the wood “Trees like people, only grow strong if they

mature by standing up to hardship” Early conservationists

Literature Tradition

Chinese literature brought Chinese system of writing Japanese and Chinese languages belong to entirely

different groups with marked differences in grammar and phonics

Chinese is tonal (single syllables) Japanese (compound syllables)

Writing was not important until its purpose was addressed-vehicle of religion and philosophy Scriptures, official documents, poetry, calligraphy

Began creating stories and myths to match/compare to antiquity and power of China

Shinto!

Ancient religion of Japan= Shinto (the way of the gods) Buddhism does not replace native religion Combined with the (the way of Buddha)

Shinto-worships and celebrates 3 sacred treasures Sun, Rice, Harvests Ancestors

Shinto Shrines Guilt is not a characteristic of Japanese morality

but shame is