CH. 8 LESSON 1: LAND OF THE RISING SUN

EQ: How was Japan's development influenced by its landforms, it'd climate, and it closeness to China and Korea?

Landforms and Climate

- Located 120 mi. of Asian coast

DISADVANTAGES:
- only 15% of land is able to be farmed on
- threatened by:
1. Volcanoes
2. Earthquakes
3. Tidal Waves
4. Hurricanes
- Few natural fuels: Coal & oil

ADVANTAGES:
- mild climate w/ plenty of rain
- agriculture was thriving
- oceans provide: abundance of fish & protection from invasion

- 300 B.C.- Ancestors came to Japan from East Asia

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Nature Inspired Japanese Culture

- Mountains & Rainfall --> Green lands
- Japanese express love for *note above*
- Shinto- Traditional religion "way of the gods"
1. based on nature & ancestors
2. one of most honored objects- Mt. Fuji

Japan's Influential Neighbors-- China and Korea

China had a strong impact:
1. Gave Japan its name, 'land of the rising sun'
'Nippon'
2. Religion- Combined Buddhism & Shinto
3. Gov.- Used Confucianism
4. Writing- Used Chinese characters
5. Arts- used Chinese techniques especially landscaping
6. Agriculture- Used rice techniques

EQ: What was the structure of early Japanese society?

Structure of Japanese Society

- clans- people related by blood or marriage
- often fought for land
1. land- main source of wealth and power
- clan- led by power
1. only Japanese people known by family & individual names
- most Jap. were commoners/enslaved

Japan's Emperors

- 400s-Yamato clan was most powerful
- Yamato- descendants of sun goddesses
- emperors ruled
1. military leaders had real power
- regent- official that ruled until a child successor was old enough
1. Prince Shotoku- one of most famous regents