Japan Test
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- Tale of Genji/Murasaki Shikubu
- Who: Murasaki was a female novelist. What: Wrote "The Tale of Genji" and created Kana for writing poetry. When: 1000. Where: Japan. Why: First novel ever written, plus written by a woman which shows the high status of women in Japan.
- Zen Buddhism
- Who: Eisai. What: Philosophy of life emphasizing simplicity, discipline, control of emotions, honor, and disappearing into your own mind. Zen gardens were popular places to relax and meditate. Also influenced Japanese art. When: 1200. Where: Japan. Why: Greatly influenced Japanese culture and helped them adapt to their crowded areas.
- Samurai
- Who: Greatly respected warriors in Japan. What: Followed a strict code of conduct called Bushido, protected and died for their daimyo. Called ronin when their daimyo died. Where: Japan. Why: Greatly respected in Japanese culture
- Yamato Clan
- Who: Shotoku Taishi, Koreans mixed with Ainus. What: First ruling family in Japan. Heredity ruling system. Seen as descended from the sun goddess, Jimmu Tenno. Started trade with China and other places. When: 500 AD. Where: Japan. Why: Unified Japan by uniting the families in Japan
- Kamakura Shogunate
- Who: Minamoto Yoritomo, Kublai Khan. What: 1st ruling by an official Shogun. Kublai Khan tried to take over but was stopped each time by the samurai who became greatly revered. However, the Kamakura was significantly weakened by these attacks and fell soon after. When: 1185-1333. Where: Japan. Why: First true shoganate, kept Kublai Khan out of Japan, thus preserving the unique culture, and elevating the status of the samurai
- Eisai
- Who: A Buddhist traveling monk. What: Brought tea and Zen Buddhism. When: 1200 AD. Why: Greatly influenced Japan to no end!
- Shotoku Taishi
- Who: Prince of Japan. What: Borrowed heavily from China: writing and art (kana and ink on silk), architecture (pagoda), well-field system, etc. Also wrote the 17 point constitution. When: 573-621. Where: Japan. Why: Made changes that greatly influenced Japan and were around for centuries.
- Shinto
- Who: Japanese. What: Religion: "Way of the Gods". Believed in spirits called Kami that inhibited anything and everything. No particular founder, sacred book, or moral code. Worshiped in shrines called torii. When: ~500. Where: Japan. Why: Followed by many Japanese and helped calm them and live in a crowded area without problems.
- Heian
- Who: Japanese People. What: Power struggle between centralized government with an emperor and local ruling nobles, and the nobles eventually won. When: 794-1185. Where: Capital at Heian, present day Kyoto. Why: Birth of the concept of a shogun
- 17 point constitution/Taika Reforms
- Who: Shotoku Taishi. What: A list of ideas of how to act based on Buddhism and Confucianism. Eventually became laws and called the Taika Reforms. When: Written in 604, Laws in 645. Where: Japan. Why: Became a big part of Japanese culture and influenced it for a long time.
- Shogunate period
- Who: Fujiwara family, General of the army. What: "Hidden rule" where the shogun was really in charge and the emperor was just a puppet ruler. Paternalistic style of ruling: peasants reported to samurai who reported to daimyo who reported to shogun who "reported" to the emperor. When: 1185-1868. Where: Japan, Heian. Why: ruling system that lasts for a very long time and greatly influences Japan.
- Minamoto Yoritomo
- Who: First true shogun in Japan. What: Kept Kublai Khan out of Japan. When: 1185. Where: Japan. Why: First true shogun
- Kublai Khan
- Who: Hun, descendant of Genghis Khan, ruler of China. What: Invaded Japan twice trying to conquer Japan, but was driven back each time. When: 1260, Conquered China; 1266, Sent envoys to request tribute from Japan; 1274, Invaded with 25,000 men; 1281, invaded with 150,000 men and 4,000 ships. Why: Since they were beaten each time, the culture in Japan was preserved and the samurai were greatly revered.