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ABC's of Medieval Japan

Terms in this set (81)

Amasterasu
Sun goddess in Shinto (native Japanese religion). Emperors were thought to be her descendants.
Achipelago
cluster of islands that are formed tectonically
"Adopt, Adapt, Adept"
The Japanese philosophy about the most successful way to be a stable and successful nation. Adopt Chinese ways, make Chinese ways better suited for themselves, and become very good at it.
Ashikaga Period
Ashikaga shoguns take over Japan, rise of Zen Buddhism, Zen Buddhism influences Noh drama, ink painting, tea ceremony. Trade w/ China. (Commerce/industry) One hundred years of civil war. Castles/forts built to protect daimyo.
Age of Warring States
(1467 - 1568) durring this time period, there was no shogunate (a lot of fighting going on); castles built on hills in different provinces, Europeans arrive in Japan bringing fire arms and Christianity; Christianity and foreign trade flourish
Bonsai
The art of growing small trees in japan and its is said to bring peace
Basho
famous Edo poet, haiku master
Cultural borrowing
taking of ideas and/or products from another culture to use within own, or to build on/adapt for own use
Calligraphy
the art of beautiful handwriting
Confucianism
The system of ethics, education, and statesmanship taught by Confucius and his disciples, stressing love for humanity, ancestor worship, reverence for parents, and harmony in thought and conduct.
clan
a group of several families descended from a common ancestor and sharing a family name
courtly love
a highly formal and ritualized relationship between a "knight" and a "lady" characterized as forbidden, secret, and usually unrequited
courtier
an attendant at a royal court
Classical Age
term referring to the period of Greek history that begins with the defeat of the Persian invaders in 480 - 479 BC and ends with Alexander the Great's accession in 336 BC or with his death in 323 BC.
Commodore Perry
The Commodore of the U.S. Navy who compelled the opening of Japan to the West with the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854.
divine
being or having the nature of a god
"Dwellers among the clouds"
rich in japan (nobles)
East China Sea
part of the Pacific Ocean near eastern Asia
etiquette
the prescribed code of courteous social behavior and mannerisms
Edo
the capital and largest city of Japan
Fujiwara Michinaga
successful Fujiwara leader who led Japan from 995-1028
Gempe War
the conflict between the Taira and the Minamoto
geisha
traditional, female Japanese entertainers whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance
Honshu
the central and largest of the four main islands of Japan
Heian Age
794 to 1185 A.D.; Japan's Golden Age where culture flourished
Hideyoshi
General under Nobunaga; succeeded as leading military power in central Japan; continued efforts to break power of daimyos; constructed a series of alliances that made him military master of Japan in 1590; died in 1598
Himeji Castle
warrior class-farmers and outcasts, temples religious, lead to urbanism castle town attracted commerce, art flourished at center of castle is family/lord
homogeneous society
a society with a common culture and language that gives it a strong sense of identity
Inland Sea
an arm of the Pacific Ocean in southern Japan
isolation
the act of isolating something. Japan was isolated from most countries due to its island state of being.
impermanence of life
the property of not existing for indefinitely long durations of life
ink painting
A monochromatic style of painting developed in china using black ink with gray washes.
ikebana
flower arranging
Ieyasu
Founder of the Tokugawa dynasty, the last Shogunate in Japan; won control of the Daimyo
Jesuit Missionary
a missionary trying to promote Christianity and Jesus in East Asia
Kyoto
the capital city of medieval Japan. Royal court was located there.
Korea Strait
a strait between Korea and Japan
Kamakura
Yorimoto's capital during his shogunate, destroyed in 1331
Kamakura Period
Period spanning from 1185- 1333 A.D. Feudal Japan began in this period, and the first shogunate was appointed.The Mongols invaded twice but were repelled by Kamikaze Typhoon. Zen Buddhism Flourished and wars drained the economy.
kami
one the Shinto deities (including mythological beings, spirits of distinguished men, forces of nature), one the Shinto deities (including mythological beings, spirits of distinguished men, forces of nature)
kamikaze
The 'divine wind,' which the Japanese credited with blowing Mongol invaders away from their shores in 1281.
kimono
A loose robe, fastening with a sash, the principal outer garment in Japan.
Lack of independent individual thought on the part of the samurai
Samurai rose to own class, over some, but still under others. Had to be loyal to lord.
Muraski Shikibu
Woman who wrote first novel, Tale of Genji. Known for brilliant mind as well.
minstrel
a medieval musician who sang and recited poetry
Minamoto clan
Samurai clan that pushed the Fujiwara clan out and became the military protectors of the Yamato court and Japan's borders (one of the 2 most powerful clans in Japan)
Minimoto Yorimoto
Minimoto was one of the two families that fought for control of Japan in 1185. Yorimoto was the head of the Minimoto family and became the ruler of the country
Mongol invasion
Mongols tried to invade Japan twice, the first one they lost to Japanese and the second was prevented by a storm.
martial arts
styles of fighting or self-defense, began in Asia. Studied by samurai for combat.
meditation
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature (Utilized greatly in Buddhism)
Nara
Japan's first capital city, modeled on the Chinese capital of Chang'an
Noh drama
a major form of classical Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Many characters are masked, with men playing male and female roles
Oath
a commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law)
Prince Shotoku
Japanese regent, he was one of Japan's greatest leaders. He was influential in bringing Buddhism and Chinese ideas to Japan.
proximity
the property of being close together
"Prince Yamato Legend"
the tall tale of Prince Yamato
pagoda
Multistoried Buddhist temple with eaves that curve up at the corners
primogeniture
seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
The Pillow Book
book written by Sei Shonagon; talked about court life
Ritual Suicide
sepaku
"Ring of Fire"
a major belt of volcanoes that rims the Pacific Ocean
regent
someone who rules during the absence or incapacity or minority of the country's monarch
Sea of Japan
an arm of the Pacific between China and Japan
Shinto
Native Japanese religion
Sei Shonagon
lady in waiting at the heian court. she painted a vivid picture of life at the heian court in her dairy The Pillow Book
shogunate
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
sake
Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice
social mobility
The ability of individuals to move from one social standing to another. Social standing is based on degrees of wealth, prestige, education and power.
Taika Reform
Abolished private land ownership, made the emperor the theoretical owner of all land as in T'ang China, and instituted a Chinese style tax system (c.7th century)
tanka
a form of Japanese poetry
Tale of Genji
story of Prince Genji and his lovers, written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu at end of 11th century, world's first full novel
Tales of the Heike
epic account for the struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans for control of Japan
typhoon
a tropical cyclone occurring in the western Pacific or Indian oceans
terrace farming
the cutting out of flat areas into near vertical slopes to allow farming
Tokugawa Period
period of rule during which the Tokugawa family held power as Shoguns
Tokaido Road
most important route, went from Edo to Kyoto, alternate attendance
Unification Period
The Unification after the Warring States Period; unified by Oda Nobunaga
volcanic soil
Ash, cinders, and volcanic bombs settle and create soil fertile enough for plant life.
Where is Edo?
Edo is the earlier name for Japan's capital: Tokyo. It is located on Honshu.
Yoritomo
Japan's first Shogun
Zen
a Buddhist doctrine that enlightenment can be attained through direct intuitive insight
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