Japan Map

Japanese Civilization

• 10,000 - 300 BCE - Prehistoric period of tribal/clan organization -Stone Age hunters and gatherers who make jomon (rope-patterned) pottery inhabit Japan

• 660 BCE - Mythological Jimmu (Divine Warrior), descendant of sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, founds first Japanese empire

• 300 BCE – 300CE – Yayoi Perido - Rice cultivation, metalworking, and the potter's wheel are introduced from China and Korea

• 100-300 CE - Local clans form small political units

Japanese Religion - Shintoism

• The most significant influences that arrived from Korea and China in Japan were in the realm of religion

• Most important of all was the arrival of Buddhism • However the Japanese did have an indigenous religion,

called Shinto• Shinto started out as a nature worship religion and

evolved into a state religion of patriotic appreciation to the Japanese land itself

• Shintoism also would include animism and ancestor worship

• Shinto rituals could be performed in homes as well as in temples – allowing it to become a more personal religion

• To an extent, the development of Shintoism was a reaction against foreign influence, especially that of China.

Japanese Religion - Shintoism

• In the 7th-8th centuries, the Japanese wrote down their native myths and legends in a collection called Kojiki (Chronicles of Ancient Events)

• In it are the creation myths and foundation of the Shinto religion

• Shinto gods are called kami• Izanagi and Izanami were the first gods from

whom all other gods descended• The most important of whom is Ameterasu, the

sun goddess, who is considered the ancestor of all Japanese emperors

Japanese Art

• Jomon Earthenware Pot• 2000 BCE• Japan• Pottery• Use of geometric patterns

to create various impressions

• Called Jomon (rope) because the patterns are rope-like in appearance

Japanese Art

• Haniwa Figures• 5th – 4th centuries BCE• Japan• Sculpture• These figures were

placed on the tops of graves

• Each one representing the deceased below or his/her interests

Japanese Art

• Horyu-ji Kondo• 670 CE• Nara, Japan• Architecture• Oldest wooden temple in

Japan• Japanese favored lateral

over linear movement and building are lined up left to right rather than one in front of the other

Horyu-ji kondo

Phoenix Hall1053 C.E.Byodoin, Uji, JapanArchitectureThe Phoenix is the mythical bird that supposedly protects the BuddhaWas originally a private villa converted into a temple during Heian Period

Japanese Art

• Shaka Triad• 623 CE• Nara, Japan• Artist: Tori Busshi• Asuka Period• The Buddha is flanked by

2 bodhisattvas sitting on a throne

• Buddha’s name in Japan is Shakyamuni

Japanese Art

• Tale of the Genji –Azumaya Chapter• 12th century CE• Nagoya, Japan• Illuminated manuscript• Heian Hand scroll• Emphasis on placement of figures, costumes and design

Japanese Art

• Shokintei• 1660s• Kyoto, Japan• Architecture• In the Katsura Palace

Gardens• Named after the sound of

the wind in the pines that surround it

• This is a typical Japanese tea ceremony pavilion

• Nature is a key part of Japanese aesthetics

Japanese Art

• Winter Landscape• 1470s• Tokyo, Japan• Painting• Artist: Sesshu• Ashikaga Period• Harshness of pictorial style

is characteristic of Sesshu’s work

• Suggests the cold bitter mood of winter

Japanese Art

• Daruma Meditating• 1760• Japan• Painting• Artist: Hakuin Ekaku• Attempt to capture the

intensity of meditation

Japanese Art

• Painting the Lips• 1794 – 1795 CE• Tokyo, Japan• Painting/Relief• Artist: Utamaro Kitagawa• A wood block print meant

for mass production• Since she has eyebrows

she is an unmarried woman – most likely a courtesan

Japanese Art

• The Great Wave off Kanagawa

• 1831• Tokyo, Japan• Painting/Relief• Artist: Hokusai Katsushika• Also a wood block print

for reproduction• Depicts the power of

nature, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance – the symbol of Japan’s stability

Japanese Art

• Temple of the Golden Pavilion

• 1397 • Kyoto, Japan• Architecture• Muromachi Period• Built as a retreat for the

shogun Yoshimitsu and converted into a temple after his retirement

• Named because parts of temple are covered with gold leaf

Japanese Art

• Himeji Castle• 1581 – 1609• Hyogo, Japan• Architecture• Living spaces and

fortifications are combined into one space

• Made of strong masonry made necessary by the introduction of firearms and cannons

Japanese Art

• Garden of the Daisen-in Monastery

• 16th century• Kyoto, Japan• Architecture• Artist: Kagaku Soku• Used as a place of meditation

and assembly of Zen priests• Vertical rocks represent cliffs,

horizontal stones represent embankments and bridges and trees in the back represent mountains

Japanese Erotic Art

Group Orientation

• Kinship• Bureaucracy• Ie (household) system• Group decision making• Samurai spirit (loyalty)

Individual Expression• Arts• Political and economic ambition• Private property• Individual rights• Samurai spirit (self-discipline)

The establishment of Japanese kinship organization

• Prehistoric Jomon and Yayoi cultures

• Establishment of Uji (clan/family) based social and political organization

• Yamato establishes first control over large area

• Contact with Korea and China

The rise of the Samurai

• The breakdown of imperial administration and land control

• The rise of the warrior bands• The Kamakura Shogunate (1192)• The Ashikaga Shogunate (1368)• The Warring States (1467-1573)

Social Stratification• Samurai and Nobility

(Shi)• Farmers (No)• Craftsmen (Ko)• Merchants (Sho)• (Floating world (Ukiyo)

people and Eta)

Yamato Period: 300-Yamato Period: 300-710710

“Great Kings” era

Began promoting the Began promoting the adoption of Chinese adoption of Chinese culture:culture:

Confucianism.Confucianism. Language (Language (kanjikanji characters).characters). Buddhist sects.Buddhist sects. Chinese art & architecture.Chinese art & architecture. Government structure.Government structure.

Prince Shotoku: Prince Shotoku: 573-621573-621 Adopted Chinese culture and Confucianism. Buddhist sects allowed to develop. Created a new government structure:

17 Article Constitution in 604.

Heian Period: 794-Heian Period: 794-11561156CharacteristicsCharacteristics::

Growth of large landed estates.Growth of large landed estates. Arts & literature of China Arts & literature of China flourished. flourished. Elaborate court life [highly refined] Elaborate court life [highly refined]

ETIQUETTE. ETIQUETTE. Personal diaries Personal diaries

The Pillow BookThe Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon by Sei Shonagon [10c][10c]

Great novelGreat novel The Tale of GenjiThe Tale of Genji by by Lady Lady MurasakiMurasaki Shikibu Shikibu [1000 pgs.+] [1000 pgs.+]

Moving away from Chinese models inMoving away from Chinese models in religion, the arts, and government. religion, the arts, and government.

Heian Period:Heian Period:Cultural BorrowingCultural Borrowing

1.1.Chinese writing.Chinese writing.

2.2.Chinese artistic styles.Chinese artistic styles.

3.3.Buddhism [in the form Buddhism [in the form of of ZEN].ZEN].

4.4.BUT, not the Chinese BUT, not the Chinese civil civil service system! service system!

Heian Court DressHeian Court Dress

The Pillow BookThe Pillow Bookby Sei Shonagon (diary)by Sei Shonagon (diary)

The Pillow BookThe Pillow Bookby Sei Shonagon (diary)by Sei Shonagon (diary)

Tale of GenjiTale of Genji ( (first novel)first novel)

Tale of GenjiTale of Genji Scroll Scroll(first novel)(first novel)

Lady Murasaki ShikibuLady Murasaki Shikibu

She contributed much to the Japanese script known as kana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.

Minamoto YoritomoMinamoto Yoritomo

Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333

FeudaFeudal l

SocietSocietyy

The emperor The emperor reigned, but reigned, but

did not always did not always rule!rule!

FeudalismFeudalismA political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Japan:Japan: Shogun

Daimyo Daimyo

Samurai Samurai Samurai

Peasant PeasantPeasantPeasant

Land - Shoen

Land - Shoen

Protection

Loyalty

Loyalty

Food

Code of Code of BushidoBushido* Fidelity* Politeness* Virility* Simplicity

Seppuku: Seppuku: Ritual SuicideRitual Suicide

Kaishaku – his “seconds”

It is honorable to die in this way.

Full Samurai AttireFull Samurai Attire

Samurai SwordSamurai Sword

Early Mounted Early Mounted Samurai WarriorsSamurai Warriors

FeudalismFeudalismA political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Europe: King

Lord Lord

Knight Knight Knight

Peasant PeasantPeasantPeasant

Land - Fief

Land - Fief

Protection

Loyalty

Loyalty

Food

Code of Code of ChivalryChivalry* Justice * Loyalty* Defense* Courage* Faith* Humility* Nobility

European knight Samurai Warrior

vs.

Medieval WarriorsMedieval Warriors

Knight’s Armor Samurai Armor

vs.

Medieval WarriorsMedieval Warriors

Zen Buddhism A Japanese variation of the Mahayana form of Buddhism, which came from India through China. It reinforced the Bushido values of mental and self-discipline.

Osaka Castle

Main Gate of Hiroshima Castle

Caernorfon Castle, Wales

Warwick Castle, England

The Age of the Warring States:

(1467 - 1568) Castles built on hills in different provinces.

Power shifts from above to below.

Europeans arrive in Japan bringing firearms & Christianity.

Christianity & foreign trade flourish.

Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)

Banishes the last Ashikaga shogun. Unifies a large part of Japan.

Catholic Jesuits in Catholic Jesuits in JapanJapan

St. Francis Xavier[First Catholic Missionaries in [First Catholic Missionaries in

Asia]Asia]

Toyotomi Hideyoshi(1536-1598)

Becomes suspicious of European territorial ambitions. Orders all European missionaries expelled from Japan. Tries to invade Korea, but fails.

Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-(1543-1616)1616) Appointed shogun Appointed shogun

by by the Emperor. the Emperor. Four-class system Four-class system laid down with laid down with marriage marriage restrictedrestricted to members of the to members of the same class! same class!

Warriors.Warriors. Farmers.Farmers. Artisans.Artisans. Merchants.Merchants.

Tokugawa Shogunate Period Japan closed off to all trade

[except to the Dutch and Chinese]. The Dutch were restricted to a small island in Nagasaki harbor.

Japanese Christians persecuted and Christianity is forbidden. The government is centralized with all power in the hands of the shogun. Domestic trade flourishes. Towns, esp. castle towns, increase. Merchant class becomes rich! New art forms haiku poetry, kabuki theater.

ShintoShinto

Polytheism

AncestorWorship

Hyper-Nationalism

The Worldof the kamiMinimize

sin &guilt

GreatCreator

Amaterasu : Sun Goddess

Union of Izanami & Union of Izanami & IzanagiIzanagi

Wedded Rocks at Futami no Ura

Tree kami surrounded by sacred boundaries

Torii Gate, Miyajima Island

Torii Gate in Winter

Torii Gate

A Tunnel of Torii GatesInari Mt., Kyoto

Torii Gong

Shinto Temple – “worship hall”

Shinto Priest

Traditional Shinto Wedding Today

Prayers, Thoughts, & Wishes

at a Shinto Shrine

Memorials for the Unborn

Jizo Stones

Shinto Subway Shrine

Hot Sand Bath at Takegawara Onsen,

Beppu

Origins in the Nara Period (710-Origins in the Nara Period (710-794)794)

Japanese Baths

Grandma & her Grandma & her grandsongrandson

Noh Theater : 8-man chorus

Noh Theater

The PlayThe PlayAoi no UeAoi no Ue

Noh Theater

TraditionTraditionalal

WeepingWeepingGestureGesture

Woman Woman Heavenly-beingHeavenly-beingDemonnessDemonness

   Old Man Old Man WarriorWarrior Demon Demon GodGod

Kabuki Theater

An interior of a Kabuki An interior of a Kabuki theater.theater.

Bunraku Puppets

Bunraku Puppets

Chanoyu : Tea Ceremony

Tea Ceremony Equipment

Green TeaGreen Tea

A Japanese Tea Master

A Japanese Tea House

A Tea House Interior

Origami : The Art of Japanese Paper

Folding

Origami : Modern Adaptations

Calligraphy

Calligraphy

Haiku : 17-syllable poem

Matsuo BashoMatsuo Basho, Master of , Master of HaikuHaiku

Spring Spring departs.departs.Birds cryBirds cryFishes' eyes Fishes' eyes are filled with are filled with tears.tears.

Ikebana : The Art of Japanese Flower

Arranging

Tallest Tallest Heaven Heaven Middle Middle Man Man Smallest Smallest Earth Earth

Bonzai : A Unique Method of Meditation

Japanese Garden for Meditation

Japanese Zen Garden

Japanese Sand Garden

Miniature Rock/Sand Garden

Shinto in Modern Furniture

Simplicity!Simplicity!

ARIGATO!