Transcript japan - Chaparral Middle School

JAPAN
JAPAN
FACTS
At 145,833 square miles, Japan is slightly
smaller than California.
Population: 126,660,000 (2013 est.)
California’s population: 38,041,430 (2013)
Ethnic groups: Japanese 98.5%, Koreans
0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6%.
Shintoism 83.9%, Buddhism 71.4%,
Christianity 2%, other 7.8%
Note: exceeds 100% because many people belong to
both Shintoism and Buddhism (2005)
“sun”
“origin”
the sun’s origin
LAND OF THE RISING SUN
Nippon or Nihon
The Creation of Japan
It is told in both the Kojiki (Record of
Ancient Matters), dated 712 C.E., and
in the Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan),
dated 720 C.E.
The Creation of Japan
The first gods summoned two divine beings
into existence, the male Izanagi and the
female Izanami, and charged them with
creating the first land.
To help them do this, Izanagi and Izanami
were given a spear decorated with jewels,
named Amenonuhoko (heavenly spear).
Izanagi and Izanami
The two deities then went
to the bridge between
heaven and earth,
Amenoukihashi (floating
bridge of heaven), and
churned the sea below
with the spear.
When drops of salty water
fell from the spear, they
formed into the island
Onogoro (self-forming).
They descended from the
bridge of heaven and
made their home on the
island.
The Creation of Japan
This mythical island, supposedly
located somewhere off the
northeastern coast of today’s
Shikoku, became Izanagi’s and
Izanami’s home.
The Meoto-Iwa, or Wedded
Rocks, Shima Peninsula.
Legend holds that the spirits
of Izanagi and Izanami are
housed in the rocks, which
are connected to one
another by a straw rope.
Shima Peninsula
The Three Treasures
Sanshu no Jingi 三種の神器
“Three Sacred Treasures,” also known as
the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan.
The treasures represent
the three primary virtues:
• wisdom (the mirror)
• valor (the sword)
• benevolence (the jewel)
Legend of the Three Treasures
According to legend, Amaterasu, the
sun goddess, hid in a cave from her
brother Susanoo, thus plunging the
world into darkness.
Cave at Ama-no-Iwato Shrine where Amaterasu hid
Ama-no-Iwato Shrine
Legend of the Three Treasures
The goddess Ama-no-Uzume hung the
mirror and jewels outside the cave to lure
her out of the cave, at which point she saw
her own reflection and was startled enough
that the gods could pull her out of the cave.
Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865). Amaterasu Emerges from the Light.
(colored woodcut, no date).
Legend of the Three Treasures
Susanoo later presented in apology to
Amaterasu the sword, Kusanagi, which he
had obtained from the stomach of an eightheaded serpent, Orochi.
The Mirror
The mirror Yata no kagami (八咫鏡)
Represents the virtue of wisdom.
The mirror is located in the Ise Shrine
in Mie prefecture.
Ise Shrine
Mie Prefecture
The Sword
The sword, Kusanagi (草薙剣), or
possibly a replica of the original.
Represents the virtue of valor.
The sword is located at Atsuta Shrine
in Nagoya.
Atsuta Shrine
Nagoya
The Jewel
The jewel or necklace of jewels,
Yasakani no magatama (八尺瓊曲玉)
Represents the virtue of benevolence.
The jewel is located at Kokyo (the
Japanese Imperial Palace) in Tokyo.
Imperial Palace
Tokyo
The Sacred Treasures Today
Since 690, the presentation of these
items to the Emperor by the priests at
the shrine are a central part of the
imperial enthronement ceremony.
This ceremony is not public, and
these items are by tradition only seen
by the emperor and certain priests.
Jimmu Tenno
In Japanese mythology,
Jimmu is the first Emperor
and founder of the imperial
dynasty.
Jimmu is a Chinese word
and means "divine valor, or
warrior." Tenno means
“heavenly” and in Japanese
means “emperor.”
The Emperor's Japanese
name consists of "kami"
(god), "Yamato" (the
region.Jimmu conquered),
and Ihare (the name of a
district in Yamato).
His real name was
Kamuyamato Iwarebiko
神武天皇
Emperor Jimmu
Great-great-grandson of
the sun goddess
Amaterasu.
660 BC Becomes
Japan's first emperor
Direct descendant of the
gods; Japanese
emperors are related to
the gods.
660 BC
Jimmu’s area of conquest
Yamato
Emperor Akihito 明仁
In 1989, he became the
Chrysanthemum
125th emperor of Japan
National and Imperial
according to the
Seal of Japan.
traditional order of
succession.
He is the world's only
reigning emperor.
Emperor Akihito's reign
bears the name "Heisei"
(平成), which means
“achievement of
universal peace”
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko
SHINTOISM
Shinto, “the way of the gods”
Polytheistic – belief in many
gods
Around 500 B.C.
No founder
No sacred scriptures
No propaganda or preaching
KAMI
“Shinto gods”
They are sacred spirits which take the form
of things and concepts important to life,
such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers
and fertility.
Humans become kami after they die and
are revered by their families as ancestral
kami.
The kami of extraordinary people are even
enshrined at some shrines.
The Sun Goddess Amaterasu is
considered Shinto's most important kami.
SHINTOISM
There is no absolute right and wrong,
and nobody is perfect.
Shinto is an optimistic faith, as humans
are thought to be fundamentally good,
and evil is believed to be caused by
evil spirits.
Consequently, the purpose of most
Shinto rituals is to keep away evil
spirits by purification, prayers and
offerings to the kami.
SHINTO SHRINES
Shinto shrines are the places of
worship and the homes of kami.
There are more than 80,000 Shinto
shrines in Japan.
TORII (GATE)
A torii is a wooden gate without a
door, often painted red.
The torii marks the gateway between
the physical and spiritual worlds, and
is often the only indication that one
is entering a shrine.
KOMAINU
“Korean dog”
A pair of lion-like
guardian figures
placed at each side
of a shrine entrance.
One with an open
mouth and one with a
closed mouth.
Believed to ward off
evil spirits.
SHINTO FESTIVALS
Most shrines celebrate festivals
(matsuri) regularly in order to show
the kami the outside world.
TAIKO DRUMS
SHINTO FESTIVALS
DOLL’S FESTIVAL
"Hinamatsuri or Doll's Festival"
March 3rd.
Celebration for a young girl's
growth and happiness.
TANGO NO SEKKU
Boys Day
Celebration for the
healthy growth and
development of
young boys.
Families raise the
carp-shaped
Koinobori flags,
one for each boy.
SHINTOISM AND BUDDHISM
Buddhism found to be compatible
Practice Shinto, adopt Buddhism
Many Buddhists viewed the kami as
manifestations of Buddhas.
A large number of wedding ceremonies are
held in Shinto style.
Death, however, is considered a source of
impurity, and is left to Buddhism to deal
with.
Consequently, there are virtually no Shinto
cemeteries, and most funerals are held in
Buddhist style.
AD 572 Prince Shotoku born
Spread Buddhism throughout
Japan by erecting temples and
statues
Religious leader and great
statesman
Became regent at 21; brought
many teachers from China and
Korea
Emperors Lose Power
Emperors more concern with
religion, literature, and art
Families concern for matters of war
and power
For serving the emperor, families
rewarded with control and tax of
farmers and land owners
Wars between families become
frequent, development of skilled
warriors
Samurai - "those who serves"
Bushido, code of the samurai
Honor
Respect
Obedience
Total Loyalty to those superior
SOCIAL CLASS
PYRAMID
All people belonged to
a certain class, and
their class was not
allowed to change.
Whatever level a person was
born, generally remained
there for life.
ROYALTy
EMPEROR
Royal family
To be Shogun, one
MUST be samurai
MILITARY
SHOGUN
Daimyos
Samurais
Foot soldiers
COMMONERS OR PEASANTS
Farmers and Artisans
Merchants
LOYALTY
Emperor
Hereditary position
Highest rank with no real
political power
Shogun
Supreme General
Military leader of country
Daimyo
Great Lords
Landowning nobility who served as
provincial governors
Samurai
Those Who Serve
Loyal military vassals and warriors
Peasant Farmers and Serfs
Largest group (90% of population)
Merchants
Artisans
FEUDALISM
(Social and Economic System)
Land was given to daimyos, who were
usually family, friends, or loyal generals to
the shogun
Daimyos allowed peasants to farm the land,
with peasants keeping half of what they
grew.
Peasant farmers were loyal to their daimyos,
and the daimyos pledged their loyalty and
full military support to the shogun.
Samurais were loyal to their daimyos, and
pledged their loyalty and support to the
shogun and emperor.
SAMURAI
“Those Who Serve”
The way of the samurai
is found in death.
SAMURAI
Role of a Samurai
Served his daimyo
(lord/landowner)
Highest of the social classes
Only class to carry two swords
Zen Buddhist follower
SAMURAI
Code of Bushido
“Way of the Warrior”
Duty, honor, and obligation
Loyalty, right conduct, and bravery
Considerate to farmers and
merchants
Commit seppuku (honorable
suicide)
SAMURAI
Stages of Becoming a Samurai
Learns to be indifferent to pain,
unquestioningly loyal, and an
expert in military arts
Age 7
Learns to read the Four Books, 5
Classics, and 7 Texts
Learns calligraphy and to write
characters
SAMURAI
Learns to be indifferent to pain,
unquestioningly loyal, and an
expert in military arts
Age 12 – Training for battle
Learns to use the sword
Learns archery
Learns horsemanship
Learns other military arts
SAMURAI
Age 15 – Ready for battle
Continues education by reading ancient
stories
Displays proper conduct and manners
Learns the tea ceremony and to write
haiku and poetry
Displays proper household
management
During peace served as escorts and
administrators for his daimyo
Heraldry
Family crest symbol known also as
a mon
Used as identification on
belongings
Daimyo’s mon on banners carried
by soldiers