Transcript China Act. 4.1 Chinese Influences on Japan show.ppsx

Chinese Influences on Japan
Japan’s culture and government is a unique mix of native
traditions and borrowed Chinese elements. Very proud of
their heritage, the Japanese were, however, within China’s
direct sphere of influence.
Starting in the sixth century, Japanese envoys and traders
traveled to nearby China to learn about Chinese art,
technology, religion, and political thought. Over the next 400
years, the Japanese selectively borrowed elements of
Buddhism, Confucianism, written language, government
organization, law, tax systems, architecture, and dress from
Chinese culture.
In later times—particularly during the Tokugawa period when
contact with foreign countries was prohibited—the Chinese
influences subsided. Still, Chinese influences on Japanese
culture are visible today.
Japan
Introduced
to
China
-thought Buddha was a
savior
-constructed Buddhist
temples to provide places
for worship, offerings, and
study
-developed Chan Buddhism
to allow meditation without
scriptures
Japanese
court
in
A.D. 552
-worshipped
Buddha along with
major gods of
Shinto
-merged Shinto
shrines with
Buddhist temples
-developed Zen
Buddhism to
improve
concentration and
discipline