Chapter 9- Japan: Early History to 1467:

(1). Outline the early origins of the Japanese people.

(2). Explain the significance of the Yayoi revolution.

(3). Describe the 4-7th century Tomb Culture and explain its relationship to Yamato rulers and Korea.

(4). Describe the key aspects of the Shinto religion in early Japan.

(5). Describe three stages of Japan’s adoption of higher Chinese civilization by Nara and Heian courts.

(6). Examine the rise of the Samurai, and describe their “warrior ethic.” (WH-page 260)

(7). Describe the Government structure of the Heian Court.

(8). Describe how political power of the court shifted among the emperor, regents, & powerful families.

(9). Explain the influence of Chinese Tradition on Japanese literature.

(10). Examine early Japanese literature and the works of Murasaki Shikubu and Sei Shonagon.

(11). Compare and contrast Mayayana Buddhist Sects in T’ang China with Nara and Heian Japan.

(12). Examine Japan’s early Feudal Age and the rise of Minamoto Yoritomo and the Kamakura bakufu.

(13). Discuss the role of Japanese women living in a warrior society.

(14). Describe the Ashikaga Era and the Kyoto bakufu.

(15). Contrast the teachings of “Pure Land,” Nichiren, and Zen Buddhism.

(16). Examine Japanese medieval culture and the No Plays.

(17). Examine early Japanese history as assessed from a world perspective.

v Chapter Overview:

Ø Three main Turning Points of Japanese history:

§ 3^rd century BC:

· Old Stone Age=> Agricultural &/metal working society

¨ (lasted until 600 AD)

§ 7^th century through 19^th century:

· Chinese culture centered Japan

· Japan “leaps” to higher civilization

¨ Writing/literature, technology, philosophy of China

¨ Chinese forms of Buddhism

§ 19^th century to present: Western influence

v Japan’s Origins

Ø Archeological Finds:

§ Very limited (acidic soil)=> no skeletal remains

§ Consequently=> very little known for sure

§ Tools from 30,000 BC (finely shaped)

§ Jomon (8000-300 BC)

· Jomon cord pottery=> 10K BC (World’s oldest)

· Why is Jomon pattern found w/old stone age unique?

· Associated w/Agriculture settlements (Not with what?)

Ø The Yayoi (300 BC-300AD) and the Yayoi Revolution:

§ Significance of Yayoi Revolution?

· 2^nd phase of Japanese pre-history begins around 300BC

· Yayoi (Tokyo) culture: name of pottery (pale orange)

· Yayoi migrated from Korea (carry technology along)

¨ Make major break w/Jomon old culture

¨ Agriculture, Bronze, & iron revolutions =>

Ø Hit Japan simultaneously (normally separated)

¨ Yayoi (w/different shaped skulls) replace Jomon

· Role of Pimiko around 300 AD? (regional hegemony)

§ Tomb Culture & the Yamato State (300-680 AD):

· Giant tomb mounds (399-600 AD) Nara & Osaka area

¨ Emerged direct from Yayoi culture (Korean patterns)

Ø How were these early mounds shaped?

§ Over what? Later version’s shape?

Ø Surrounded by moats & decorated w/clay statues

Ø From 5^th century=> also armor, swords, spears

Ø Significance? New wave of culture flow (Korea)

§ Likely type of culture?

§ Yamato State & Korea=> Lose hegemony of Kings

· Used Korean type titles for court & aristocracy

¨ Extended family=> basic social unit

¨ Continual power struggles among families ensued

¨ Major efforts made to control outside regions

¨ Constant wars with barbarians of frontier

· Foreign relations=> Korea (Map)

¨ Yamato’s ally? (Packche) vs. Silla & Koguryo

Ø Enabled Yamato to expand power with Japan

Ø Imported iron weapons & tools=> military pwr

Ø Also potters, weavers, scribes, metal workers

Ø Cultural significance: nobility & Chinese culture

§ Chinese writing & Confucianism & Buddhism

¨ Eventually Packche joined Silla & broke w/Japan

§ Religion in Early Japan

· Indigenous Religion of early Japan:

¨ Animistic worship (?)

· Later => “Shinto” => way of the gods

¨ Possible part of Yayoi culture

¨ Forces of Nature?

¨ Promoted sensitivity to nature & natural beauty

· Role of Shamans in Japanese culture?

· 2^nd Aspect of early Shinto?

¨ Relationship with state & ruling aristocracy?

¨ Personalized deities (kami) of Nature => clan myths

Ø Traced clan genealogy back to original deity

Ø Oldest Royal family=> Yamato kings’ deity?

v Nara and Heian Japan

Ø Nara and Early Heian (680-850 AD) Court Government:

§ 3 Stages of Japan’s absorption of Chinese higher culture:

· Learning about China

· Implantation of T’ang institutions (8-9^th centuries)

· Adaptation of above specifically to Japan’s needs

§ Learning about China:

· Japan sent official embassies to China (607 BC)

· Returnees would play future key roles in Japan society

· Returned w/Art, tech., Buddhism, T’ang legal/Gov sys.

§ Implantation of T’ang institutions:

· Major challenge: Chinese language & philosophy

· Key role of Emperor Temmu & Empress Jito

¨ Used Chinese system to consolidate his power

¨ Promoted law code that enhance power of emperor

¨ “Heavenly emperor” replaced “great King”

¨ rewarded loyal supporters=> titles & positions

Ø similar to T’ang example

¨ extended Court’s authority & increased its revenues

Ø census & surveys=> taxation of agricultural lands

§ Adaptation => dictated by Japan’s specific needs:

· Established permanent capital at Nara=> later Heian

· Heian (Kyoto) reflects Chinese planning influence

¨ Geographic grid lay out

· Japanese rulers combined Confucianism w/Shinto

¨ Chinese law & Shinto rulers from the Sun goddess

¨ Aura of sacred protection => lineage never usurped

¨ One single dynasty throughout Japanese history

· Like T’ang => emperor ruled similar gov. structure

¨ Council of State (leading clans sometimes control)

Ø Beneath=> eight ministries (2 more than China)*

§ *Secretariat & Imperial Household

· Key differences: no eunuchs or tension w/bureaucracy

¨ Main struggle was between clans

¨ No meritocracy (no viable exam system- failure)

Ø Aristocratic family ties counted more than grades

· By early Heian era admin functions streamlined to:

¨ Audit officers (evolved to taxes & accountability)

Ø With establishment of quota system=> less to do

¨ Bureau of archivists (record/preserve Imp. decrees)

¨ Police commissioners (enforce laws & prosecute)

§ By 839 borrowing stopped=> assimilation ensues (350 yr)

§ Major shifts in political control also arose (Box p.259)

· Emperors: key figures through power of appointment

¨ To mid-9^th century actually ruled or shared power

· Powerful Clans: Fujiwara (856-1086)=>

¨ Rule with absolute power from 986-1086

¨ Monopolized all key government offices

¨ Married daughters to Emperor

Ø Then forced emperor to retire after son born=>

Ø Then Fujiwara ruled as Regent for grandson

· Retired Emperor: disputes within Fujiwara clan=>

¨ Allow opportunity for emperor to regain control

¨ Emperor Shirakawa (1072-86) retires then rules as:

Ø Retired Emperor (for 43+ years)=>

Ø Same pattern continued until 1156 AD

Ø Employed talented commoners

Ø Confiscated aristocratic estates

Ø Forged strong regional ties to military leaders

§ In 1156=> struggle for power => major change occurred:

· Emperor vs. Retire Emperor (death of retired Emperor)

¨ Both call for Fujiwara’s help=>Taira Kiyomori

¨ Taira wins & stays to rule=> ultimately as Regent

¨ Establishes new rule on top of old court hierarchy

Ø Land & Taxes

§ Japan’s system based on T’ang=> Equal Field System=>

· changed to meet Japanese realities=> changes included:

¨ land holding became hereditary

¨ labor taxes shifted to grain tax

¨ Fixed quotas set for Provinces/districts to meet

Ø Chinese detailed record keeping just too hard

· 2^nd major change:

¨ conversion of tax-paying lands to tax free estates

¨ Court Nobles & Temples get immunities from taxes

¨ Small land holders entrust their holdings Nobles

Ø Become serfs on their own former lands

¨ Stewards managed these commendations for %fee

Ø Rise of the Samurai (To serve):

§ By 792 local mounted warriors replaced conscription

· Given tax exemptions & expenses for horse/training

· Primary weapon?

· Most Samurai came from well off local families

¨ Also district magistrates or military families

· Key function: preserve local order & tax collection

¨ Disorder occurred over tax disputes at times:

Ø Tax rebellion of district against provinces Govs.

§ 10^th cent=> regional Mil. coalitions or confederations form

· Tax dispute during 935-940 AD => known as Wild East

¨ By 12^th century similar situation in all parts of Japan

§ Warrior Ethic: (excerpt p. 268): bravery, courage, strength

· Endurance & individual combat=> unique loyalty code

¨ “way of the bow & arrow” => “way of the warrior”

· Warrior aristocracy formed as part of Feudal hierarchy

v Aristocratic Culture and Buddhism

Ø Chinese Tradition in Japan

§ Major influence of Chinese tradition on literature

· Rapid assimilation of T’ang culture especially evident:

· Literature: Chinese poetry & prose=> provide model

¨ Chinese extremely difficult language to master

§ Japanese meet challenge from Nara era to 19^th century

· Philosophical & legal writings, history, essays, religion

· All written in Chinese=>

¨ became vital part of Japanese tradition

§ Also: T’ang poetry studied & absorbed:

· Li Po, Tu Fu, & many others widely read by Japanese

· Chinese history also read (mirror of Japan)

· Buddhist stories & Confucianism consulted

¨ major cultural influence on Japanese society

Ø Birth of Japanese Literature

§ Gradually Chinese models stimulate Japanese literature

· Works are composed in native Japanese=> examples:

¨ Collection of 10,000 Leaves by Man’Yo Shu (760)

Ø 4516 poems: sensitivity to Nature & humanity

Ø translated into Kana (p.263) for Empress to read

¨ Collection of Ancient and Modern Times in kana

¨ Izumi Shakibu Diary- amorous “tell all” book

¨ Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon – aristocratic satire

¨ Tales of Genji by Murasaki Shikubu –

Ø World’s first novel written in 1010 AD

§ Life, loves, & sorrows of Prince Genji

§ No Chinese model available – original work

§ (excerpt=> p. 263)

Ø Nara and Heian Buddhism

§ Similarities & differences of w/Mahayana in T’ang China

· Comparison of Mahayana with Nara/Heian Buddhism:

¨ Monasteries & temples linked with State

Ø Tax $$$ support

Ø Monks routinely prayed for Emperor/rain/etc.

· Contrast of Mahayana w/that of Nara/Heian Buddhism:

¨ T’ang set quotas to limit number of Monks

¨ Nara set quotas for Monks as a goal to reach

¨ Approach to Buddhism for China was from=>

Ø Confucian or Taoist perspective

¨ For Japan=> Shinto (mystery) was the basis:

Ø Elaborate ritual attracted many Japanese

Ø Mahayana pantheon & art very attractive

Ø Philosophy took longer to establish

¨ Japan’s cultural identity different & took shape later