Chapter 5, Section 3Life in Medieval Japan

*Largely influenced by China & Korea

ReligionTWO major religions:

-Shinto worshiped at shrines (Wooden building w/rice straw roof - enter through a sacred gate called a torii)

-Buddhists worshiped at temples(Massive tiled roof held up by think wooden pillars. Richly decorated with statues, paintings and alters)

Types of BuddhismPure land Buddhism - a happy life after death -Amida Buddha of love and mercy – would chant his name to get to their paradise above the clouds.

Zen Buddhism -inner peace through self-control & simple way of life. -learned this through martial arts & meditation

Art and Architecture

Artisans - wood for statues & furniture painted with shiny red and black lacquer

ink and water colors to paint landscaping.

Folded paper for decorations called origami.

Poems and PlaysCalligraphy = the art of writing

beautifully.Oldest form of poetry = tankaHaiku = 17 syllables of imagery

Lady Murasaki Shikibu = wrote The Tale of Genji A.D. 1000 (first novel)

Noh plays taught Buddhist ideas = Kabuki Theater

Economic GROWTHMost wealth came from the hard work of farmers who remained poor (rice, wheat, millet and barley)

1100’s developed better irrigation and planted for crops to sell at the markets

Artisans began developing weapons to sell at the markets

Region started to specialize in certain products (pottery, paper, textiles, and lacquered goods)

This all helped Japanese economy grow

Kyoto became major trade & production center

Artisans & merchants formed guilds to protect and increase profits

Society

Multi-generational homes (grandparents, parents, children in same house)

Most marriages arranged“lower classes” (levels) -non-Japanese natives called Ainu & of Korean descent -Burakumin or anscestors who worked with blood or

death (hunters)

Women- Prince Shotoku- wealthy women = high role & some ruled-Once “warrior society” women lost freedoms-Farming = more say b/c doing hard work-Artisan & Merchants = helped with business & ran the home-*In spite of limited freedom, made major cultural contributions (ex. Lady Murasaki Shikibu)

Table of Contents___ Title Page & pic (2 pts) **Skip Lines

___ Table of Contents (3 pts)

___ Workbook & “Read to Write Challenge” (50 pts)

___ Map of Japan (5 pts)

___ Mt. Fuji Geog W.S. (10 pts)

___ Geography of Japan W.S. (10 pts)

___ Roles of People in Feudal Japan (5 pts)___ Shinto vs. Buddhism & Society W.S. (15 pts)___ / 100 Total **Notes will be scored separately