Transcript File - Mr. Bowers Classroom

The Spread
Of Chinese
Civilization:
Japan,
Korea, and
Vietnam
Yamato Period: 300-710
Began promotion of the
adoption of Chinese culture:
Taika Reforms - restructured
the government following the
Chinese model
Confucianism
Language (kanji characters)
Buddhist sects
Chinese art & architecture
17 Article Constitution (604) considered the first Japanese written law,
based on Buddhism and Confucianism
Heian Period: 794-1156
Characteristics:
Growth of large landed estates
Elaborate court life (highly refined)
ETIQUETTE
Arts and literature of China flourished
Great Novel : The Tale of Genji by
Lady Murasake Shikibu (symbolizes
the aesthetic of the period, in particular
the important but limited role of women
in the Heian court)
Moving away from Chinese models in
religion, arts, and government
Heian Period:
Cultural Borrowing
Chinese writing
Chinese artistic styles
Buddhism (in the form of ZEN)
NOT the Chinese civil service system
(examination system)
Zen Buddhism
A variation of Mahayana form of
Buddhism, which came from India through
China
It reinforced the Bushido values of
mental and self-discipline
Brings an artistic renewal and
established traditions such as the tea
ceremony - provides a contemplative
retreat in an era of violence
The Fujiwara Family
The Fujiwara family was one of the most
powerful, but typical in their cooperation
with Buddhist monasteries to reduce the
power of the emperors.
As the emperors lived elaborate lifestyles,
powerful families, like the Fujiwara, ran
the government. They placed family
members in positions of power and
arranged marriages of family members
into royal families.
Era of Warrior Dominance
Chinese influence, and direct contact with
China, waned in the 9th century.
From the 11th century, court families, in
conjunction with bushi allies, split the
court with open rivalry. Eventually, open
war broke out between the Taira and
Minamoto families in the 1180s. The
Gempei Wars ended with the ascendancy
of the Minamoto at their new capital at
Kamakura (Kamakura Shogunate)
Era of Warrior Dominance
The bakufu government of the first
Minamoto ruler, Yoritomo, was supported
by shoguns, military leaders. The
following centuries saw a complex system
with titular emperors and Minamoto
shoguns, real power being wielded by the
Hojo family. The latter were supplanted
by the Ashikaga Shogunate (1338-1573).
Royal authority was a mere shadow, but
the shoguns also lost power in the late
15th century, replaced by 300 daimyo
kingdoms.
Era of Warrior Dominance
Court manners became irrelevant as
making war took center stage. The plight
of the peasants became desperate,
leading to unsuccessful revolts. At the
same time, the dynamism of some
daimyos led to economic growth and the
emergence of a merchant class. Among
the merchant and artisans, women had a
more prominent role, while women of elite
families saw their lives constrained.
Bushido
A new force came to challenge the court
aristocracy: the bushi, or warrior leaders.
Some were of noble origin, some not, but
they had in common increasing power in
their small domains, and the loyalty of
samurai troops. Unchecked use of force
led to the preeminence of a warrior class
and a warrior culture. The growth of
sammurai power accompanied the
reduction of peasant status.
Seppuku: Ritual Suicide
The code the samurai followed included
the practice of seppuku, or ritual suicide
following defeat.
A Kaishaku (his second) would insure the
suppuku was carried out and at times
“end” the pain.
Growth of Japanese Feudalism
The emperor
reigned, but did not
always rule!
Feudalism Comparison
A political, economic, and social system
based on loyalty, the holding of land, and
military service
In Japan
Shogun
Land - Shoen
Land - Shoen
Protection
Daimyo
Samurai
Peasant
Loyalty
Loyalty
Daimyo
Samurai
Peasant
Samurai
Peasant
Food
Peasant
Feudalism Comparison
A political, economic, and social system
based on loyalty, the holding of land, and
military service
In Europe
King
Land - Fief
Land - Fief
Protection
Lord
Knight
Peasant
Loyalty
Loyalty
Lord
Knight
Peasant
Knight
Peasant
Food
Peasant
Feudalism Comparison
Japan
Code of Bushido
Fidelity
Politeness
Virility
Simplicity
Feudalism Comparison
Europe
Code of Chivalry
Justice
Loyalty
Defense
Courage
Faith
Humility
Nobility
Feudalism Comparison
Medieval Warriors
Vs.
European Knight
Samurai Warrior
Feudalism Comparison
Medieval Warriors
Vs.
European Knight Armor
Samurai Warrior Armor
Feudalism Comparison
Castles
Vs.
Caeronorfon Castle, Wales
Warwick Castle, England
Osaka Castle
Gate of Hiroshima Castle
Mongol invasions of Japan
Invasion force of 4,400 ships and 140,000
men, but was stopped by the “divine wind”
or kamikaze (lost up to 75% of their men).
Two different invasions: 1274 and 1281.
Korea: Between China and Japan
Korea, although strongly linked to Chinese
cultural and political developments, had
distinct origins, and long followed its own
path of development. The peninsula’s first
kingdom, Ko Choson (Gojoseon), was
conquered by China in 109 B.C.E., and
subsequently Chinese settlers arrived.
Korea: Between China and Japan
Korea broke from Chinese dominance,
forming three kingdoms: Koguryo, Silla,
and Paekche. As in Japan, Sinification
— adoption of Chinese culture — was
largely mediated by Buddhism. The
Koguryo ruler applied a Chinese-style law
code. Internal conflict in the Three
Kingdoms Era left Korea vulnerable to
Chinese attack. The Tang allied with the
Silla to destroy Paekche and Koguryo,
leaving the Silla a subject kingdom.
Korea: Between China and Japan
Sinification peaked under the Silla and
Koryo rulers. Tribute and acknowledgement
of Chinese authority created peaceful
relations that stimulated Korean borrowing
from Chinese culture. Under the Silla, their
capital at Kumsong copied the Tang capital.
Both the royal family and the Korean elite
supported Buddhism.
Korea: Between China and Japan
While Korean borrowing from China was
heavy, in the areas of pottery and printing,
they exceeded their teachers. Sinification
was limited to Korean elite, while indigenous
artistry was allowed to decline. All of Korean
society was arranged to serve the needs of
the aristocracy. Periodic popular revolts
were successful only in weakening the Silla
and Koryo monarchies.
Korea: Between China and Japan
The Mongol invasion in 1231 began a period
of strife, ending with the founding of the Yi
dynasty in 1392.
Vietnam
The early history of the Viet people is little
known. Early Chinese raids into Vietnam in
the 220s B.C.E. (Han Dynasty)
increased trade. Intermarriage
with Mon-Khmer and Tai language groups
furthered the development of a distinct
Vietnamese ethnicity. Many
early traditions separated them from the
Chinese, such as the nuclear family
pattern and a greater role for women.
Vietnam
The Han became dissatisfied with merely
exacting tribute from the Viet rulers and
began direct rule in 111 B.C.E. Sinification
increased, and was used by the Viet rulers
to consolidate their power over both their
own peoples and those to the west and
south. In spite of Chinese expectations,
the Viets never became assimilated to
Chinese culture. Indeed, a culture of antiChinese resistance developed.
Vietnam
The rising of the Trung sisters in 39 C.E.
underlined the continuing prominent role of
Vietnamese women. Continuing Chinese
influence in Vietnam depended on
overcoming physical barriers, and on the
competence of Chinese rulers. Following
the fall of the Tang, the Vietnamese freed
themselves completely by 939.
Vietnam
Yet Chinese influence continued, particularly in the administration. An
important exception was the scholar-gentry who never gained an
important role in the Vietnamese regime. From the 11th to the 18th
centuries, they steadily expanded their territory at the expense of the
Chams and the Khmers in the Mekong delta. The new southern
territories were controlled only with difficulty by Hanoi. The Trinh family,
ruling the north, was challenged by the southern Nguyen family. The
conflict left the Vietnamese oblivious to an outside threat: the French and
the Catholic Church.
What accounts for the cultural differences
between Vietnam & China?
 Viets enjoyed benefits of tech advances & political
organization
 feared losing own identity
 distinct ethnic group – intermarriage with Khmers & Tais
 village autonomy
 nuclear family
 women more freedom & influence
 dressed differently, cockfights, betel nuts
 developed art & poetry distinct from Chinese
 failure of Chinese culture to make an impact on peasants
 Chinese considered Vietnamese backward & barbaric
 Vietnamese did not think Chinese learning culture was
that great
 great distances & mountain barriers
What were the common elements of Chinese
culture passed to all three of the satellite
countries?
 modes of writing
 religion
 Buddhism adapted by peasantry
 art
 political & bureaucratic organization
 intellectual creativity
 social development & organization
 all used by court and provincial elite
 Chinese thought patterns
Compare & contrast the degree of
Sinification in Korea, Japan & Vietnam.
 KOREA
 VIETNAM
 most Sinified
 Confucian
 had to accept
Chinese political
dominance
 pay tribute
 aristocrats
 art & writing
 bureaucracy
 commercial
practices
 into 20th century
bureaucracy
 agriculture &
military
 separated them
from Indianized SE
Asia
 10th century
influence declines
JAPAN
least affected
Chinese ideas came
early
(bureaucracy, script,
art, Buddhism)
political
independence
select among
Chinese ideas
decline in Confucian
influence
revival of indigenous
culture