Neolithic - Yayoi period

(c. 250 BC-c. AD 250)

• The use of metal objects/tools began in Japan.

• The arrival of rice as a food source, arrival of wet-rice (irrigated) agriculture.

Influences

China & Korea – cultural invasion

• Irrigation• Religions• Writing systems

JapaneseReligions

Shinto• Shinto- is a polytheistic

religion that stress love and respect for nature.

• Resembles Hinduism -It ascribes divine attributes to every being.

• belief in souls in animals or inanimate objects such as rocks, trees, rivers, mountains. Animals are messengers of the gods.

• Absolute loyalty to the Emperor, who is regarded as a direct descendant of the Gods,

• respect for ancestors • Shinto established itself as

an official religion of Japan, along with Buddhism.

Shintoism Continued. . .

• The primary goal of Shintoism is to achieve immortality among the ancestral beings, the Kami.

• Kami - a supernatural, holy power living in or connected to the world of the spirits.

• Tori- symbol of Shinto. Gate from the normal world to the divine. The Tori- symbol of Shinto.

Gate from the normal world to the divine.

Zen Buddhism in Japan

• Zen- Stresses meditation and appreciation of beauty or good taste.

• The word "Zen" is Japanese for a style of Buddhism.

• Many Japanese studied in China, and eventually, Chan Buddhism was brought to Japan by a monk in the 13th century. “Chan” is pronounced “Zen” in Japanese.

“Zen” Ways to Meditate

Japanese Language• The Japanese

borrowed the Chinese writing system as the official written language.

• Chinese script was being used to write Japanese.

The Yamato Clan• Known for their bravery in battle and

their superior fighting techniques.

• The chief of the Yamato Clan became the first emperor of Japan.

Emperor Jimmu-The Emperor Jimmu-The legendary first emperor of legendary first emperor of Japan and founder Japan and founder of the imperial dynasty.of the imperial dynasty.

Shoguns• Shoguns - top samurai

military commander -title granted by the Emperor.

• The shoguns also

imposed a strict class system.

Samurai

• Japanese warriors.• Top of the social class

after Shoguns.

• Under the shoguns and samurai were the daimyo- lords who ruled different parts of Japan

Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616)

• Samurai who unified Japan.

• grew up in a chaotic period of feuding clans.

The Hermit Kingdom:Korea

• Wanted to keep out the Europeans.

• Banned foreigners.

• Relied on China heavily.

Japan’s Invasion of Korea

• The Korean Dynasties relied on the Chinese as a “Big Brother”.

• 1905-Japan wants the job- invasion!

Korea Divided• The US and USSR divided

Korea.

• The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea led by Kim Il Sung in the North.-communists

• The Republic of Korea led by Syngman Rhee in the South.

The Korean War• Korean War lasts from

1950-1953. • The north is supported by

China and Russia.• The South is supported by

the U.S. and U.N. forces. • A ceasefire was established

at the 38th parallel.• Demilitarized zone (DMZ)

38th Paralel, still defended to this day by North Korean troops on one side and South Korean and American troops on the other.

Fast Facts!Japan N. Korea S. Korea

-constitutional monarchy -Communist Dictatorship -Democracy

-Emperor Akihito -Kim Jong Il -President Lee Myung Bak

-127 mill people -22 mill people -48 mill people

Government

• constitutional monarchy –the government is established under a constitutional system which acknowledges a king as head of state, but who is limited by the constitution.

• The head of government is the prime minister, who leads the cabinet and must hold a parliamentary majority.

• Communist Government- a system of government where the government plans and controls the economy and in which all citizens are deemed equal.