Japan: The People

“Use every moment of every day without wasting it.”

What distinct ways of life have the people of Japan developed?

As an island nation, how did Japan’s culture develop?

Most people live on the 4 main islands

Honshu: largest Shikoku Kyushu Hokkaido Location: safe from

invaders Adopted ideas and ways

of living from China, Korea, and the West: chopsticks, writing Chinese characters, teachings of Confucius, Buddhist religion

As an island nation, how did Japan’s culture develop?

1500’s Portuguese arrived to trade

1638 fearing loss of power to foreign missionaries and traders all foreigners were expelled, except the Dutch

Japanese were forbidden to build large ships or go on long voyages

Closed-door policy: isolationism

1853 Commodore Matthew Perry US Navy sailed into Tokyo Bay and demanded Japan open it ports to the world

Describe the people and their beliefs.

Homogeneous: 1. appearances and

behavior are similar 2. belong to same ethnic

group 3. same language 4. same history 5. similar values Shinto oldest religion:

believe in spirits / Kami dwell in nature: mountains, trees, streams, lakes, rocks

Buddhist religion: peaceful belief

Confucian ideas: orderly society, duty to family and country

What does it mean to be members of a group to the Japanese?

Values are different from ours

Society is more important than one person

Members of group make gains together

Taught at early age loyalty and respect for common good

“A nail that sticks out, must be hammered down”

Why are manners , duty, and loyalty important to the Japanese?

Deep respect for authority and order

Children are taught everyone has a certain position in society ,be polite, bow to teachers, bosses, and friends to each other

Rules for correct behavior, special duties / debt to families and their leaders

“ Lose face” means to fail to do one’s duty / family is shamed and disgraced

Traditions began with Samurai, values passed down through generations

Why is Tokyo a crowded city?

Capital of Japan Megalopolis: many

nearby cities close together seem to form one large city

Densely populated Crowded trains Traffic jams