Transcript MEDIEVAL JAPAN Class notes Chapter 5 lesson 3

MEDIEVAL JAPAN
Class notes
Chapter 5 lesson 3
LIFE IN MEDIEVAL JAPAN
I. JAPANESE RELIGION AND CULTURE
1. During the Middle Ages, Japanese people practiced
both Shinto and Buddhism. There was no need to
select one religion over the other.
In the same time period in Europe could Europeans
practice both Christianity and Judaism or Christianity
and Islam?
2. By the time it reached
Japan, Buddhism had
divided into different
sects, or smaller religious
groups.
How many Christian
religions or sects have
evolved from the Catholic
faith in Europe?
3. Pure Land Buddhism was a sect that stressed a
happy life after death.
4. Zen Buddhism is another important sect of
Buddhism brought to Japan from China. Zen
teaches that people can find inner peace through
self-control and a simple way of life.
Why do you think the Samurai class adopted
these religions easily?
5. Japanese art reveals the Japanese love of beauty
and simplicity. Art in the Middle Ages included
wooden items coated in lacquer, landscape
paintings, folded paper called origami and tea
ceremonies.
ORIGAMI ART
LACQUER FURNITURE
6. Japanese buildings were influenced by Chinese or
Japanese styles. Shinto shrines followed Japanese
styles while Buddhist temples followed Chinese
styles.
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
SHINTO SHRINE
TORII GATE
The famous “floating” Torii gate near Hiroshima
7. The Japanese borrowed and adopted the Chinese
style of writing using characters. Calligraphy, the
art of writing beautifully, was important in Japan.
8. The tanka is Japan’s oldest
form of poetry. The haiku is
a poem that is based on
syllables with a 5-7-5 pattern.
Can you think of any tales
written in Medieval Europe
that have helped historians
reveal what life was like in
Europe in that time period?
9. The Tale of Genji written by
Murasaki Shikibu (SHEKEY-BOO), was about a
Japanese prince in the year
1000 AD.
10. Noh plays taught Buddhist
ideas and were performed on
a bare stage by actors
wearing robes and masks.
II. ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
1. Very few people benefited from Japan’s wealth
under the shoguns. Most people in Japan
remained poor.
2. Japanese farmers worked hard to grow rice,
wheat, millet, and barley in the 1100’s, advances
in irrigation and crops allowed them to grow
more food and their lives improved.
3. Artisans made weapons,
armor, and tools for
merchants to sell. As
trade increased, artisans
began making pottery,
paper, textiles, and
lacquered items.
4. Kyoto, the capital of
Japan, was a major
center of production and
trade
Why is the capital of Japan today
Tokyo and not Kyoto? Why did
the capital city move often?
5. Japanese women had less freedom than men
but despite their lack of freedom, some
women made important contributions to
Japanese culture. During the time of Shotoku,
wealthy women could be rulers and own
property. However, women lost those
freedoms after the samurai and daimyo took
control. Marriages were arranged by fathers in
noble families.
STUDY REVIEW FOR 5.3 QUIZ
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Know the difference between Pure Land Buddhism and
Zen Buddhism.
The importance of the novel “The Tale of Genji” by
Murasaki Shikibu.
Understand the life of the average person during the
Shogun period.
Life of Japanese women and when they lost freedoms in
society.
Understand meanings / importance all of the highlighted
key terms, people and places.