Early Japan

1. Early Japan By Abbie Gorman & Ria Sangsomwong

2. Geography • Separate rice farmers encouraged • the growth of popular democracy • Stimulated development of central • power in the hands of strong • emperors • The surrounding waters created very • dependent people • Growing crops and mountainous regions • proves the people are smart and independent • The mountains were difficult to live on. Most people lived on flat coastal plains.

3. Geography • Japan was isolated from the world until their emperors decided to visit other countries • Natural disasters; volcanoes and earthquakes; affected their ways of life • Limited farmland restricted their population growth • Japan had few natural resources • Japan was isolated from the world until their emperors decided to visit other countries • Natural disasters; volcanoes and earthquakes; affected their ways of life • Limited farmland restricted their population growth • Japan had few natural resources

4. Yamato Period • Began between 250-710 AD • Also called the Age of Great Tombs • Clans of Yamato had major advantages over neighboring clans • Fujiwara was the first capital during the Yamato Period in Japan in 694 AD • The second capital was Heijo from 710 to 784

5. Economy • Remained dependent on rice growing • Primarily a barter economy • Taxes were paid in rice, cloth, and other commodities by peasants who worked in public lands • At the beginning of the 7th century, coins were imported form China for tax collection

6. Government • Tribal states of various sizes and power were brought together gradually by a dynasty of Yamato clan rulers • Tribal groups/clans were the nobility/the Uji class • The farmers, scribes, traders, manufacturers, and immigrants were the occupational professional class called the Be • The lowest class were slaves

7. Religion & Military • The Japanese religion became more formalized for Shinto, the Way of Kami • Kami-an infinite number of natural spirits and could be called up • Warfare was a common feature • Weapons: swords, spears, and bow quivers • Horse figures were found-suggest the idea of calvary

8. Nara Period • 710-784 AD • Sinicization and Buddhism were highly developed in the Nara Period • Nara was the countries first permanent capital • The Chinese characters were adapted to the Japanese language • Many Chinese manuscripts were copied • Legal codes based on Chinese models

9. Culture • Traditional technical methods of Japanese painting were established • Kakemono-the hanging scroll • Kojiki-the Record of Ancient Matters • Nihongi- Chronicles of Japan • Political conflict and the partial erosion of imperial authority characterized the second half of the Nara Period • Empress Koken • The last female emperor of significance • She ruled twice • Taking the name Shotokeu her second time • The last emperor Kanmu moved the capital to escape Buddhist influence

10. Questions • What was the Yamato Period’s taxes paid with? • a) Commodities • b) Money • c) Services • 2) True or Fasle: Warfare in the Yamato Period was common? • 3) Which religions developed in the Nara Period? Chose all that apply! • a)Buddhism • b)Islam • c) Sinicization

11. Work Cited http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071228143740AAEFNJm http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081209142838AAt6jV8 http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:xg9WxBQzLVcJ:www.egusd.k12.ca.us/eddy/pdf/teacher%2520files/benson/PowerPoints/Japan/Benson%2520Sec%25201%2520Japan%2520Geography%2520Holt.pdf+geography+of+early+japan&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESj9z3iuzQuOAF8yr3A_7oOmETd9keY-h4PrIei8g64DmfMe6y99MhovTXDwpyqZEPelrngEZVxlV4l6oe4ZuHd0RliUFBr6IyLaYXoYHfC1BOW0AKaH18scZ-AqO7PtCu9pvQHr&sig=AHIEtbR3n70VouN_DWDvMumY0mCAxCku_A http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamato_period http://www.angelfire.com/empire2/unkemptgoose/Yamato.html http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/403360/Nara-period http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/ent/A0858992.html https://www.courses.psu.edu/spcom/spcom483_sdp2/lectures/Bill/intro.html