Japanese test prep

Regent-a ruler or governor

Golden Age- the most flourishing period in the history of a nation
Courtier-a person who is often in attendance at the court of a king or other
royal personage
Shinto- the native religion of Japan
Samurai- a member of the hereditary warrior class in feudal Japan
Bushido Code- the way of the warrior
Cultural diffusion- the process by which a cultural trait, material object,
idea, or behavior pattern is spread from one society to another
Heian period- It is the period in Japanese history when Confucianism and
other Chinese influences were at their height
Calligraphy- beautiful writing
Shogun- the title applied to the chief military commanders
Tale of the Genji- a Japanese love story on the life of Genji, a fictional
Prince. By Murasaki Shikibu
Seppuku- suicide or any suicidal action committed by a samurai when they
did a dishonorable thing.
Meditation- To train, calm, or empty the mind
Corrupt- destroy
Isolation- the separation of a nation from other nations
Daimyo- feudal landowner
Zen Buddhism- a religion that stressed the importance of the moment
Kamikaze- the typhoon destroying the Mongol fleet
GEOGRAPHY OF JAPAN
-Japan: Millions of years ago, volcanic mountains pushed out from the
Pacific Ocean
-Japan is about the size of Montana.
-Mountains and hills cover most of Japan

ISOLATION FACTS
-Japan is isolated from much of the world
-Japan is isolated by its seas
-seas also shielded Japan from foreign attacks

EARLY RELIGEON
-Shinto is the earl religion of Japan
-Shinto revolves around nature
-teaches that natural world is filled with divine spirits

CULTURAL DIFFUSION BETWEEN CHINA, KOREA, AND INDIA

-trade began a concentrated culture
-Buddhism came from China
-changes called “taika reforms”

DIARIES AND TALES

-diaries were the favorite form of writing, they could keep accounts of
people’s lives

KYOTO COURT
-limited Buddhist temples, afraid Buddhism would influence the
government

SAMURAI CODE
-samurai would die to protect his general
-is ashamed, he would kill himself
-code of honor
SAMURAI EQUIPMENT
-mask
-designed to scare enemies
-long sword
-soul of the samurai
-armor
-protects the body from attack
-helmet
-protects head from attacks, and he put incense in it so if
someone chopped off his head, it would smell nice

MENTAL TRAINING
-thought of themselves already dead
-imagined some of the most gruesome things that would happen to
them, like getting their head chopped off, so that they wouldn’t fear
death

MONGOL INVASION
-enemies of Japan
-typhoon called the “kamikaze” luckily blew away the Mongol fleet

THE SOCIAL CLASS

1. Shogun- highest social class
2. Daimyo- serves the shogun, gives food and land to the samurai
3. In return, the samurai guard and protect the Daimyo, or “master”

NOH DRAMA
-masked dancer with minor players and a chorus
-very poetic and simple

JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY

-they get together, have tea, and socialize
-examining scrolls