The Spread of Chinese Civilization Stearns Chapter 13

China leads, others follow When forming their own civilization, Japan looked towards China for examples to emulate Outside nomadic peoples were also influenced by the Chinese Vietnam & Korea had long been influenced by China All blended Chinese ideas with their own indigenous cultures to create their own blended civilization For all three, Buddhism would be a key force in the spreading of Chinese Civilization

Japan Due to its geography, Japan remained isolated for much of its history. By 200 CE, extensive agriculture had developed Early regional tribal political organizations Shintoism (Japanese religion) led to the religious worship of political leaders and other spirits of nature. A national cultural unity-along with much greater contact with China-would begin to emerge by the 6th century.

Japanese Sinification In 522, Buddhist missionaries from China arrived in Japan Shinto beliefs were never replaced, but rather blended with the new religion Later, Chinese-influenced bureaucratic and legal reforms were introduced Taika Reforms (645) modeled on the success of the Tang Dynasty While much was adopted, Confucianism & the notion of the scholar-gentry was rejected In Japan, it was more who you were rather than what you knew. The Aristocracy was much stronger in Imperial Japan than in Tang or Song China

Rise of the Military Elite With the abandonment of a Chinese-style central government, Japan would ultimately devolve into hundreds of competing states controlled by local warlords Japanese Feudalism Shogun Daimyo Samurai Peasants Due to its decentralization and the prominence of the military in Japanese life, Japan would be bathed in warfare for hundreds of years.

Korea Korea’s proximity to China led to much greater influence over a longer period of time than Japan There still, however, was a retention of a separate cultural and political identity Like in Japan, Buddhism was a conduit for Sinification in Korea Once dominated by the Han, Korea would become a vassal state under the Silla to the Tang Great influence would come from China, but like Japan, the power of aristocratic families would prevent Korea from becoming a Chinese-style state.

Vietnam Referred to by the Chinese as ‘southern barbarians” Relatively far from the cultural centers of China with their own distinct culture Language, village autonomy, status of women Raided by the Qin in the 220’s BCE beginning a trading relationship The Han secured tribute from and then conquered Vietnam bringing great influence from China Aristocratic revolts and a resistance of Chinese culture by the peasantry would keep Vietnam from being absorbed into China proper. By 939, Vietnam was independent

Sinification of Japan, Korea and Vietnam All were suitable for sedentary agriculture and the development of civilization Elements of Chinese culture would spread Writing, bureaucratic organization, religion, art These imports were all (except for Buddhism) monopolized by the elites. Korea the most influenced, then Vietnam, then Japan Little awareness of large world currents than other major civilizations