Geography and Early Japan

1
Geography and Early Japan

• Chapter 8 Section 1

2
Geography of Japan

• Four main Islands are the tops of Mountains /
  Volcanoes
• Result Many Japanese live on the coastal plains
  were it is easier to farm
• Japanese use the sea to make a living
• Result Japanese eat all types of sea creatures
  and plants
• Being a Island Nation Japan was isolated from
  other cultures
• Result Japanese are allowed to form their own
  cultural identity

3
Clan System

• Ainu One of the first people to live in Japan
• Believed they came from Siberia in eastern Russia
• What happened to them?
• Driven out of Main Land Japan -gt Island of
  Hokkaido
• Early People lived in small villages led by clans
• Clans extended Family
• Clan Chiefs ruled over the whole village

4
Shinto

• Original religion of Japan
• Japanese believed that everything in nature has a
  spirit
• Spirit is called Kami
• Kami must be worshipped because they keep people
  from harm
• Japanese believed that Clan Chiefs are born from
  Kami so they should be worshipped as well

5
The First Emperors

• Yamato clan was one of the most powerful clans
• They said they were descended from the
  sun-goddess
• Therefore they called themselves emperors of
  Japan

6
China and Korea influence Japan

• Japan sent scholars to learn about life in China
  and Korea
• They brought back new ideas
• Language - began to write in Chinese
• Philosophy - Confucianism
• Religion - Buddhism

7
Prince Shotoku

• He was a regent for his aunt, the empress
• Prince Shotoku loved Chinese culture
• Result
• He helped to spread Chinese culture and ideas in
  Japan
• Spread the religion of Buddhism by building a
  huge temple
• Prince Shotoku wanted the Emperor to have more
  power like the Chinese Emperors did but he could
  never gain more power