Japan 5-1

bomb Pearl

The four largest Islands

Volcanoes Japan being a mountainous region has 188 volcanoes- many are active Japan being a mountainous region has 188 volcanoes- many are active Here are the major ones Here are the major ones

Mt. Fuji - the largest Mt. Fuji is the largest volcano in Japan. During a very large eruption that occurred about 300 years ago (1707), abundant ash and scoria were ejected over an area reaching as far as Edo. Mt. Unzen in Kyushu is another active volcano. It had been queit for 192 years before it erupted again in Mt. Asama is yet another example of very active and dangerous volcanoes. Its eruption in 1783 caused enormous disaster.

First Settlers Came from northeast Asia, 30,000 B.C.- Japan was once attached to the Asian Continent Came from northeast Asia, 30,000 B.C.- Japan was once attached to the Asian Continent 300 B.C. Yayoi- ancestors of the Japanese people- introduced farming, rice paddies, metal working 300 B.C. Yayoi- ancestors of the Japanese people- introduced farming, rice paddies, metal working They also organized into clans- groups related by blood or marriage They also organized into clans- groups related by blood or marriage Warriors at the top- controlling artisans, farmers- protection for rice Warriors at the top- controlling artisans, farmers- protection for rice

Yamato A.D. 500’s they became strong enough to rule most of Japan A.D. 500’s they became strong enough to rule most of Japan Rulers were descendants from heaven- Jimmu- “emperor of heaven”- founded a line of rulers that has never been broken Rulers were descendants from heaven- Jimmu- “emperor of heaven”- founded a line of rulers that has never been broken

Shotoku Took charge of Japan on behalf of his aunt Took charge of Japan on behalf of his aunt Wanted to follow China’s example- sent people to learn from China- new knowledge trickled through Korea Wanted to follow China’s example- sent people to learn from China- new knowledge trickled through Korea Created a constitution Created a constitutionconstitution Began the Taika- “great change”- divided Japan into provinces, or regional districts- all land belonged to emperor- his people collected taxes Began the Taika- “great change”- divided Japan into provinces, or regional districts- all land belonged to emperor- his people collected taxes Oldest Buddhist Temple

Shinto Based on nature spirits- “way of the spirits” Based on nature spirits- “way of the spirits” Believed that all things have their own spirits- animism-the belief that all natural things are alive and have spirits, worshiped in shrines Believed that all things have their own spirits- animism-the belief that all natural things are alive and have spirits, worshiped in shrines